McCormick Field facts for kids
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 McCormick Field
Location in North Carolina
McCormick Field
Location in the United States
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| Location | 30 Buchanan Place Asheville, North Carolina, 28801 |
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| Coordinates | 35°35′14″N 82°32′57″W / 35.58722°N 82.54917°W |
| Owner | City of Asheville |
| Operator | DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball, LLC. |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| Field size | Left Field: 326 ft (99 m) Left-Center: 370 ft (110 m) Center Field: 373 ft (114 m) Right-Center: 320 ft (98 m) Right Field: 297 ft (91 m) |
| Surface | Natural Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1923 |
| Opened | April 3, 1924 |
| Renovated | 1959, 1992 |
| Construction cost | $200,000 ($3.42 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Bowers, Ellis, and Watson |
| General contractor | Leader Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Asheville Tourists (SAL/High-A East) (1924–present) UNC Asheville Bulldogs (BSC) Big South Tournament (2009) Asheville Blues (NSL) (1940s) |
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McCormick Field is a famous baseball stadium located in Asheville, North Carolina. It is the home field for the Asheville Tourists, a team in Minor League Baseball. This stadium is special because it sits on a flat area on one of Asheville's many hills. This gives it a beautiful view and a unique feel. It is also one of the oldest baseball parks still used in Minor League Baseball today.
Contents
The Story of McCormick Field
Building a Baseball Home
McCormick Field was built in 1924. It was named after Lewis McCormick, a person from Asheville. Just before the 1930 baseball season, lights were added. This meant games could be played at night, which was a big deal back then!
Teams and Changes Over Time
Since it opened, McCormick Field has been home to different versions of the Asheville Tourists team. In the 1940s, it also hosted the Asheville Blues. This team was part of the Negro Southern League, an important league for Black baseball players.
For a short time in 1956, a quarter-mile racetrack was built around the field. It even held three NASCAR races. However, the stadium was renovated in 1959.
Modern Upgrades in the 1990s
Between the 1991 and 1992 seasons, the stadium got a major rebuild. The old wooden structure, which had a leaky roof, was replaced with concrete. The new design kept a similar look to the original McCormick Field.
Many improvements were made during this time. New, larger restrooms and concession stands were built. Players got new clubhouses, and better lights were put up. The fence in right field, which was quite close to home plate, was made much taller. It now stands 36 feet (about 11 meters) high. This is almost as tall as the famous "Green Monster" wall at Fenway Park!
One of the Oldest Ballparks
As of the 2021 season, McCormick Field is one of the oldest Minor League Baseball stadiums still in regular use. Only Jackie Robinson Ballpark and LECOM Park, both in Florida, are older. They opened in 1914 and 1923, respectively.
Other Ways McCormick Field is Used
Featured in Movies and Tournaments
McCormick Field has been used for more than just regular baseball games. It was one of the places where the 1988 movie Bull Durham was filmed.
In 2009, the stadium hosted the Big South Conference baseball tournament. The Coastal Carolina team won that tournament.
Nearby Sports Facilities
Just up the hill behind the left field area is Asheville Memorial Stadium. This facility is used for football and soccer. You can see its bleacher seats from McCormick Field. It was once the main football field for Asheville High School.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I baseball venues
