The Asheville Tourists, a Single A affiliate of Colorado, play at McCormick Field, with seating for 4,000. McCormick Field is named for Dr. McCormick, a doctor who figured out a way to rid Asheville of the flies that were attracted to the Biltmore dairy herds many years ago. We had a great time at this baseball field located in a sylvan, downtown location. The field has wooded slopes behind the outfield fences. There has been a baseball team in Asheville since 1897 with the exception of three years in the early 1900s. The team in its first years was called the "Moonshiners". When it resumed it was named the "Mountaineers", but the locals started calling the players the "Tourists" because they came from all over, as did many people who came to Asheville. The owner gave up on the "Mountaineers" and changed the name to "Tourists. The current stadium was re-built in 1992. It has the feel of stadiums that were built later in the 90s. We talked with the Owner/General Manager Ron McKee and the Asst. GM Chris Smith, who gave us a lot of good information and the programs for the last 4 years. The Tourists were playing the South Georgia Waves. It was a good game for the baseball fan because there were several home runs, several near home runs, lots of hits, and a close game right to the end. The only problem was that the Tourists lost. The box score was Waves R-9, H-14, & E-2, and Tourists R-7, H-11, E-0. The field lines are RF-300', CF-402', and LF-328'. The game announcer tells where each of the Tourist players come from before each at bat. We had seats in the first row, just beyond the 1st base (Home) dugout. Thomas Wolfe(the author) and Cal Ripken, Jr. were batboys for the Tourists in their childhood. The Tourists hold the record for the fastest game in professional baseball--30 minutes. In the early part of the 20th Century there was one train through town at 2:00pm. The visiting team had to make that train. The game was moved from 1:00pm to 12 noon. Both teams agreed to swing at everything pitched and run hard if they hit anything. The final score was Visitors 2 and Asheville 1. The Visitors made the train. I was impressed with the concession selections for a Single A field. The food services is called the At Bat Food Services. On Tubesteak Tuesday you get a hot dog and drink for $1 each. Thursday of course is Thirsty Thursday which I learned is patented by Mr. McKee the Owner/GM. There is a nice selection of other team items, including Majors, in the souvenir shop. We were announced as visitors during one of the inning breaks. Sitting behind us were three couples who are visiting all ten of the North Carolina baseball fields this year. The mascot is Ted E. Tourist, who as you can see is a good juggler. Parking is limited, but there is on street parking available close-by. New Logo 2011. 2021--Affiliated with Houston. High A playing ub East League, South Division.
Attractions
Asheville
Biltmore Estate surrounded by 8,000 acres was built by George Washington Vanderbilt. This 250-room French Rennaissance-style chateau has self-guided tours. Fee.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site was the novelist's childhood home. NOT available for tours in 2003 because of reconstruction because of fire.

In nearby Flat Rock
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site was the house of the poet-historian from 1945 until his death in 1967. Fee.