History of McCormick Field
Asheville garnered a large place on the baseball map in 1924 with the opening of McCormick Field. Built for $200,000 and named for Dr. Lewis McCormick, the city's only bacteriologist who started the "Swat That Fly" campaign in 1905 in order to reduce the area's burgeoning problem with the housefly. While McCormick died unexpectedly in 1922, the facility that bored his name was deemed a diamond in every sense of the word.
The Tourists played in the South Atlantic Association from 1924-30, and the Piedmont League from 1931-42, except for 1933, when the city lost its franchise at the height of the Great Depression before receiving the Columbia Sandlappers franchise on June 7, 1934. Asheville fans during this time were privy to exhibition games played by the New York Yankees, featuring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, and other major leagues teams that worked their way north from spring training. One of the biggest events occurred in 1948 when the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson played at McCormick Field. The home nine also fielded competitive clubs, most notably manager Ray Kennedy's 1928 Tourists, which won the SAA by 18 games over the second-place Macon Peaches by posting a 97-49 record, and skipper Clay Bryant's 1948 Tourists, which won the Tri-State League in the team's third season on the Class B circuit.
Arc lights were employed in order to play the first night games in Asheville during the early 1930s. Night baseball disappeared when the Tourists folded in 1932 an did not return until permanent lights were installed at McCormick Field, beginning on July 5, 1940, when 2,574 fans watched Norfolk defeat Asheville, 4-0.
The demise of the Tri-State League after the 1955 season left Asheville without baseball for the next three years. The professional game had struggled for much of the decade, kept afloat primarily by donations from a non-profit corporation called Community Baseball, Inc. Weekly stockcar races kept McCormick Field operational while the city courted another baseball league.
Through the efforts of businessman W. Fleming Talman and Community Baseball, the Tourists returned to McCormick Field in 1959 in the South Atlantic League. Asheville had served as a St. Louis Cardinals' farm club from 1935-42 and a Brooklyn Dodgers' affiliate from 1946-55. After receiving players from the Philadelphia Phillies and several other clubs in 1959, the Tourists were a Phillies' farm club in 1960 before serving as the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1961-66. The Pirates sent numerous future major leaguers to Asheville, as did the Cincinnati Reds from 1968-70, the Chicago White Sox in 1971 and the Baltimore Orioles from 1972-75.
As a Double-A team, just two short steps from the game's top level, Asheville proved to be a gateway to the major leagues. That scenario changed after the 1975 season with the team's management became frustrated with Baltimore over the lack of talent provided during the previous two years. That led the Tourists to drop down to Class A ball, beginning with a six-year run with the Texas Rangers in the Western Carolinas League (later renamed the present-day South Atlantic League) in 1976.
Baseball in Asheville mirrored most of the minor leagues during the late 1970s. Franchises were struggling to survive, and attendance at games could be counted on fingers and toes. Located among the partial sellouts at McCormick Field were several rowdy fans that did little to increase the ambience among the paying customers.
That scenario changed in 1980 when Ron McKee became general manager of the Tourists. A former batboy for the club in the early 1960s, McKee disposed of the rowdies and instituted a more fan-friendly environment. With the help of his wife and team business manager Carolyn McKee, he also brought in special attractions, held giveaway nights and created such innovative promotions as "Thirsty Thursday" and "Shirt Off Your Back Night." Attendance increased to 49,066 fans in McKee's first year; by 1986, the Tourists attracted more than 100,000 patrons for the first time since 1959, signaling the rebirth of the game throughout Western North Carolina.
"All I try to do is treat people the best that I can," said McKee shortly after taking the job in 1980. "When they enter the ballpark, they are entering my living room. I want only the best for the fans. It's like they are in my house."
Nary a day had passed after the final pitch of the 1991 season before McCormick Field's wooden grandstand, built in 1923, was little more than a memory. The building of a new ballpark with a seating capacity of approximately 4,000 was erected by Leader Construction and designed by architects Bowers, Ellis, and Watson. Some observers wondered if the facility would be ready for the 1992 season, but exhaustive hours through February and March and into April made the campaign at the corner of Biltmore Avenue and Charlotte Street a reality.
The new McCormick Field maintained the layout of the original ballpark and kept the playing field intact. For fans, the improvements centered on expanded restrooms, modern concession stands, more comfortable seats and a large plaza area for group outings. New clubhouses and lights served as the major benefits for the players, although one new twist altered the thought process of pitchers as well as hitters from both sides of the plate. Only 301 feet from home plate, right field had always been a target of lefthanded power hitters. The feat became somewhat tougher prior to the 1993 season when the wall's height more than tripled, to its current 36 feet.
The new facility led to a new major league affiliate. The Tourists had been the Houston Astros' Class A South Atlantic League club since 1982 until the organization came to terms with the expansion Colorado Rockies, beginning in 1994. The Tourists continue to be an affiliate of the Rockies today.
In 2010 the team was sold from Palace Sports and Entertainment to DeWine Seeds-Silver Dollar Baseball. While owning and operating the Tourists, the DeWine Family continue to make McCormick Field a family friendly venue.
Today McCormick Field serves the same purpose it did in 1924; to add to the quality of life to the residents of Asheville. The Tourists now draw over 180,000 fans a year to McCormick Field.
Long ball fuels Tourists win
BOWLING GREEN, KY - The Asheville Tourists have won three of their last four games after a 6-2 victory against the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Sunday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Tourists (18-21) secured the series split against the
Tourists split doubleheader
BOWLING GREEN, KY - Making up the postponed game from Friday, the Asheville Tourists competed in two seven-inning games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday night in a twin bill. The Tourists (17-21) fell to the Hot Rods (21-17) in the opener 13-0, but
Tourists stave off Hot Rods' comeback
BOWLING GREEN, KY - The Asheville Tourists snapped their two-game slide with a 9-6 victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday night. Late in the game, the Hot Rods (20-16) stormed back after trailing 4-0 to the Tourists (16-20), but Asheville scored four in
Tourists drop second straight on the road
BOWLING GREEN, KY - Held to four hits this afternoon, the Asheville Tourists fell 6-3 to the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark. The Tourists (15-20) were given stellar starting pitching from Bryce Mayer (L, 0-1), who threw in four and one-third innings, giving up just a run.
Brito K’s 12 in Tourists loss
BOWLING GREEN, KY - Pitching dominated at Bowling Green Ballpark on Tuesday night as the Asheville Tourists fell to the Bowling Green Hot Rods 2-1. Opening the series with a loss, the Tourists (15-19) were given great starting pitching from Anderson Brito (L, 0-1). The righty struck out 12 Hot
Mother’s Day matinee secures win for Tourists
ASHEVILLE, NC - After a rocky start in the top of the first inning, the Asheville Tourists quickly settled in to beat the Brooklyn Cyclones 12-6 on Sunday for Mother’s Day at McCormick Field. Many of the players for both sides wore pink to support Mother’s Day. The contests quickly
Cyclones pitching throws two-hitter and drops Tourists
ASHEVILLE, NC - Deprived of hits and offensive momentum, the Asheville Tourists dropped a second straight contest to the Brooklyn Cyclones on Saturday night at McCormick Field by a 6-1 final score. The Tourists (14-18) were held to just two hits during the affair, nabbing them in the fourth and
Tourists win suspended game, drop night contest
ASHEVILLE, NC - Completing the suspended game from Thursday night, the Asheville Tourists played in two games on Friday against the Brooklyn Cyclones at McCormick Field. The Tourists (14-17) won the game that began yesterday 6-5, and lost the second contest 8-5 to the Cyclones (19-11). Game 1 - Asheville
Spence and Bello lead Asheville in thrilling victory
ASHEVILLE, NC - Lots of furry friends equipped with loud barks of cheer visited McCormick Field on Wednesday night as the Asheville Tourists downed the Brooklyn Cyclones 6-5. There were 407 dogs in attendance for Doggies at the Diamond. They came to an exciting matchup, with the Tourists (13-16) coming
Comeback falls short in series-opening loss
ASHEVILLE, NC - Providing late-night drama at McCormick Field on Tuesday, the Asheville Tourists strung together a rally in the ninth, but ultimately fell short in a 5-4 finish against the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Tourists (12-16) had numerous threats in the late stages, and they put massive pressure on the
Lopsided loss sends Asheville back home
GREENVILLE, SC - Finalizing a seven-game series, the Asheville Tourists dropped the Sunday matinee 16-0 to the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field. The Tourists (12-15) fell behind early and struggled to stir up momentum against the Drive's (12-15) pitching staff. It is the fourth time the club has been held
Asheville wins first road series of the year
GREENVILLE, SC - Securing a series win against the Greenville Drive, the Asheville Tourists downed their foe 6-0 on Saturday night at Fluor Field. Playing in a seven-game series due to making up a postponed contest from April 11, the Tourists (12-14) have now taken home four games off the
Consistent bats enough to squeeze out win in extras
GREENVILLE, SC - Bringing hot bats to Fluor Field on Friday night, the Asheville Tourists overpowered the Greenville Drive in a 15-13 shootout. The Tourists (11-14) scored in seven of the 10 innings played and tallied four multi-run frames. While the Drive (11-14) made two separate comebacks throughout the night,
Doubleheader results in split for Tourists
GREENVILLE, SC - Making up the postponed game from April 11, the Asheville Tourists and Greenville Drive faced off in a twin bill on Thursday night at Fluor Field. The Tourists (10-14) dropped the opener 5-3, but dominant and clutch pitching against the Drive (11-13) in the second game dictated
Tourists back in the win column
GREENVILLE, SC - The Asheville Tourists snapped a five-game losing streak by taking down the Greenville Drive 6-5 on Wednesday night at Fluor Field. Backed by great starting pitching, Alain Pena (W, 1-3) went the longest of any arm on the Tourists (9-13) staff this year. Tossing in six innings,
Offense arrives late in loss to Drive
GREENVILLE, SC - Beginning a seven-game series on the road, the Asheville Tourists dropped their fifth straight contest 6-4 to the Greenville Drive on Tuesday night at Fluor Field. The Tourists (8-13) got the bats rolling in the later stages of the game, but their early hole was too much
Nunez homers in 700th MiLB at-bat
ASHEVILLE. NC - Despite taking an early lead, the Asheville Tourists could not overcome the strength of the Hudson Valley Renegades' offense, falling 8-4 on Sunday afternoon at McCormick Field. The game's first run came in the opening inning from the Tourists’ (8-12) Alejandro Nunez, after hitting an RBI single
Apker makes High-A debut in Tourists loss
ASHEVILLE, NC - It was a tough day at the office for the Asheville Tourists as they fell in a 15-0 setback by the Hudson Valley Renegades at McCormick Field on Saturday night. The Tourists (8-11) have now dropped three games in a row, and the Renegades (14-6) have taken
Pitching dominates for both teams, Renegades with the edge
ASHEVILLE, NC - If low-scoring, pitching duels are your thing for baseball, then the Hudson Valley Renegades' 3-0 win over the Asheville Tourists at McCormick Field on Friday night would have been the game for you. There was only one frame where either team found the scoreboard. The Renegades (13-6)
Five-run first too much to overcome for Tourists
ASHEVILLE, NC - Coming off a doubleheader sweep yesterday, the Asheville Tourists cooled off versus the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night as they dropped a 9-4 decision at McCormick Field. The Tourists (8-9) still lead the series over the Renegades (12-6), two games to one. Starting pitching struggled out
Tourists sweep twin bill in thrilling night
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Tourists took down the Hudson Valley Renegades 9-5 and 3-2 in doubleheader action on Wednesday night at McCormick Field. A lot of baseball was played between the two clubs, but the Tourists' (8-8) bats dominated in Game 1, while a walk-off thriller over the Renegades
Tourists drop heartbreaker, series and third straight
ROME, GA - Finalizing a six-game road series, the Rome Emperors stormed back to defeat the Asheville Tourists in a 8-7 finish on Easter Sunday at AdventHealth Stadium. Each of the last three games was decided in the late innings, all in favor of the Emperors (8-7). Today provided another
Rome storms back in eighth inning to beat Asheville
ROME, GA - The Asheville Tourists fell 7-4 to the Rome Emperors on Saturday night at AdventHealth Stadium. Game 5 of this six-game saga featured another nail-biter that was decided with late-inning drama. Trailing 1-0 after the Emperors (7-7) scored in the first inning, the Tourists (6-7) responded with a
Infield hits doom Tourists in late innings
ROME, GA - The Asheville Tourists fell on the wrong side of a 3-2 barnburner against the Rome Emperors on Friday night at AdventHealth Stadium. For the first time since the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, the Emperors (6-7) jumped on the board with two runs to open the scoring
Asheville nearing top of SAL with quality win
ROME, GA - For the first time this year, the Asheville Tourists climbed above the .500 marker after their 5-0 win over the Rome Emperors at AdventHealth Stadium on Thursday night. The Tourists (6-5) were led by excellent pitching for the second game in a row. The staff has thrown