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.
Tourists bring big bats for big comeback win
GREENSBORO, NC - It was a heavy-weight bout between two teams trading blows on Sunday afternoon as the Asheville Tourists downed the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field by a score of 12-10. It was the club’s first win of the 2025 campaign, avoiding the sweep. The Grasshoppers’ (2-1)
Tourists drop first series of the year to Grasshoppers
GREENSBORO, NC - The Asheville Tourists fell to the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Saturday night at First National Bank Field by a score of 13-2. An offensive explosion for the Grasshoppers put the Tourists in an insurmountable hole early. They scored seven unanswered runs in the first two innings. One of
Tourists Fall on Opening Day
GREENSBORO, NC - Opening Day for the 2025 High-A circuit sprung into action on Friday night. Among the 28 teams competing across the country, the Asheville Tourists battled with the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First National Bank Field, resulting in a 12-3 Tourists defeat. Juan Bello was called upon to start
“One Ville” exhibition game kicks off Tourists’ 2025 season
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - With the 2025 regular season just around the corner, the Asheville Tourists and Fayetteville Woodpeckers, both affiliates of the Houston Astros, battled in the annual “One Ville” exhibition game at Segra Stadium. Single-A Fayetteville took down High-A Asheville 9-5. Anderson Brito toed the rubber for the Tourists
Asheville Tourists 2025 Opening Day Roster Released
ASHEVILLE - The Houston Astros Minor League Development Department has made official the Asheville Tourists 2025 Opening Day roster. A total of 30 players, 17 pitchers and 13 position players, will trek out to the mountains of Western North Carolina nestled in the Blue Ridge strip. The Tourists were given
Greenville Drive and Asheville Tourists Team Up for “VILLE VS. VILLE” Series to Help Hurricane Victims
The Greenville Drive and Asheville Tourists, competitors on the baseball diamond, are proving that even rivals can come together in the name of support and assistance for those in need. Billed as the "Ville vs. Ville” Series, the Drive and Tourists will face off 18 times during the 2025 season
Nate Shaver to Manage the Tourists in '25
ASHEVILLE— The Houston Astros have named the Asheville Tourists Coaching Staff for the 2025 season and Nate Shaver will serve as the Tourists Manager for the fifth consecutive year. The Tourists are set to span a half decade of stability and player development under Shaver’s leadership.
John Garcia Named South Atlantic League All-Star
ASHEVILLE- Minor League Baseball has announced its 2024 High Class-A League Award winners and All-Stars. The Asheville Tourists had one representative chosen, John Garcia, who received more votes than any other catcher in the South Atlantic League.
Season Recap: 2024 Asheville Tourists
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists have officially wrapped up the 2024 regular season. Before we move forward into preparations for next year’s Tourists Home Opener, April 8th, 2025, we first glance back at the 2024 campaign. It was a season that brought with it a record-setting 14 home sellout crowds, a
Hudson Valley Spoils Urias' Gem, Clinches Playoffs
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY – The Asheville Tourists had their sights set on a victory with a two-run lead and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The win slipped through their fingers and even though Asheville came up short, the fight from this group continues to show up night
Asheville Tourists Release 2025 Schedule
ASHEVILLE- The schedule for the Asheville Tourists 2025 season is official. The Tourists Home Opener set for April 8, 2025 versus the Greenville Drive. Asheville will also play at home on July 4, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend. Opening Day is officially April 4 with the
Tourists Held without a Run, Lose Sixth Straight Road Game
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists were shut out by the Hudson Valley Renegades 3-0 on Wednesday night and suffered their sixth straight loss away from home. Nic Swanson built on his August Player of the Month Award with five brilliant innings pitched.
Renegades Walk Tourists Off in First Ever Matchup
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY- Tuesday was a night full of firsts. Despite the South Atlantic League’s new makeup of teams beginning in 2021, last night was the first ever game played between the Asheville Tourists and the Hudson Valley Renegades.
Swanson, Gomez Take Home Astros' August Honors
ASHEVILLE- The Houston Astros announced their August Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for August and Asheville’s Kenni Gomez and Nic Swanson were the two recipients. Both Gomez and Swanson were among the best in the South Atlantic League as well as within the Astros Minor League ranks.
Blues Receive Grand Slam from Encarnacion in 10-4 Loss
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Blues’ Luis Encarnacion hit a Grand Slam on Saturday night but it was not enough against the Hickory Crawdads. Hickory built a 9-0 lead and the Tourists eventually fell by a final score of 10-4.
Encarnacion Walks Tourists Off in the 11th
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists knocked off the Hickory Crawdads 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday night in front of another sold out crowd at McCormick Field. Luis Encarnacion belted a deep RBI walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning that plated Fernando Caldera from third base. An elated
Swanson and Pena Silence Crawdads in 6-1 Win
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists rode their pitching duo of Nic Swanson and Alain Pena to a 6-1 victory over the Hickory Crawdads Thursday night. Swanson dealt five innings and Pena followed with four scoreless frames. The two right-handers held Hickory to a total of one run and four hits.
Crawdads Top Tourists 11-9 Despite Guillemette's Four Hits
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists celebrated Travel & Hospitality Night at McCormic Field in their Wednesday evening contest against the Hickory Crawdads. Asheville fell behind early but roared back late. The comeback attempt came up a couple runs short and Hickory prevailed with an 11-9 win.
City of Asheville and Asheville Tourists Officially Break Ground at McCormick Field
McCormick Field has served as a baseball mainstay for 100 years and will begin its newest chapter of entertainment due to overwhelming support from the City of Asheville, Asheville Tourists, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and many community partners and leaders.
Batista's Strong Start Not Enough to Snap Skid
ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists fell to the Hickory Crawdads 7-0 in Tuesday night’s series opener at McCormick Field. Asheville’s starting pitcher, Edinson Batista, delivered a quality start and Franny Cobos struck out five batters down the stretch.
Tourists Drop Fourth Straight, Fall 5-4 to Greensboro
GREENSBORO- A two-week road trip came to an end on Sunday afternoon and for the Asheville Tourists it was not the finish they were hoping for. Asheville led the Greensboro Grasshoppers 4-2 going into the eighth inning; however, Greensboro plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth and bested
Swanson Ties Season-High with Nine Strikeouts
GREENSBORO- The Greensboro Grasshoppers have nightmares about Asheville’s right-handed pitcher Nic Swanson. The Bixby, Oklahoma native has dismantled Greensboro’s offense on multiple occasions during his Asheville Tourists career. Friday night was more of the same. Unfortunately, the Tourists offense was non-existent and Asheville suffered a 4-0 loss.
Late Miscues Cost Tourists a Third Straight Win
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists built a 4-1 lead on the Greensboro Grasshoppers across Thursday night’s first seven innings. However, in the bottom of the eighth inning Greensboro worked four walks and took advantage of a dropped a fly ball. The Grasshoppers tallied four runs in the frame and won 5-4.
Fast Start Pulls Tourists Through to Victory
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists jumped out to a fast start against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Wednesday night. Asheville plated five runs in the first two innings and held on to win 5-3. The Tourists outhit the Grasshoppers 11 to 4 and for the second straight game held Greensboro to one
Six-Run Inning Lifts Tourists to Much Needed Win
GREENSBORO- The Asheville Tourists snapped a three-game skid with an impressive 6-1 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Tuesday night. The Tourists pitching trio of Derek True, Franny Cobos, and Railin Perez held Greensboro to only one run on four hits.