THE SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH PILOT/FLYING J BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SMOKIES STADIUM

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE - The South Atlantic Conference Pilot/Flying J Baseball Championship will remain at Smokies Stadium, the league announced today. The South Atlantic Conference and the Tennessee Smokies have agreed to a three year extension. The contract extension puts the championship at the venue through the 2020 season, with an option for 2021. The South Atlantic Conference also agreed to a three year extension on the contract for the SAC Basketball Championship at Timmons Arena.
"Being able to have our conference championship events at venues like Timmons Arena and Smokies Stadium provides our student-athletes with exceptional experiences," said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. "We have had a great partnership and relationship with both facilities and the staffs for many years and we are excited to extend these agreements."
Smokies Stadium has been the home of the Pilot/Flying J SAC Baseball Championship since the 2015 season. The championship was held at McNair Field in Forest City, N.C. for five years before moving to Kodak, Tenn. Smokies Stadium is conveniently located off of Interstate 40 and is the home of the Double-A affiliate for the Chicago Cubs. A major league style facility, the stadium has a capacity of 6,000 fans, a state of the art press box and luxury suites. With no seat more than 19 rows off the field, Smokies Stadium offers every fan an up-close and personal viewing experience. The Smokies have ranked in the top five in attendance in the Southern League for nine-straight years.
"We are thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to continue to host the South Atlantic Conference Tournament for the next few years," said Smokies Vice President Jeremy Boler. "We look forward to continuing to give the South Atlantic Conference teams a memorable postseason experience."
The 2018 Pilot/Flying J SAC Baseball Championship is set for April 26-30 at Smokies Stadium.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com