The Asheville Tourists are rounding third on a funding deal to stay in town after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners agreed March 21 to pitch in up to $5 million over 20 years for upgrades to city-owned McCormick Field.
Tag: Asheville Tourists
Showing 1-21 of 31 results
Council approves up to $20M for McCormick Field
Attendees at baseball games may pick up part of the tab for the McCormick Field improvements through a new 50-cent “facility fee” to be added to each ticket.
Letter: Just say no to spending millions on McCormick Field
“And they ‘want,’ they ‘like’ the Tourists. So do we, but City Council and the city manager are making a huge mistake paying this unreasonable price to keep them.”
Asheville Council to consider up to $20M for McCormick Field improvements
McCormick Field has been home to a minor league baseball team for each of the past 64 years. The current Tourists franchise brings in roughly $9.8 million in local spending annually for Buncombe County.
Letter: Goodbye, Tourists, hello Pirates?
“How about the Pirates relocating to Asheville if the Tourists bolt?”
Letter: Tourists should find other funding
“I much regret the current trend for municipalities to pay for fancy stadiums on behalf of professional sports teams.”
Letter: Build a new stadium with better parking
“For that much money, they should just build a new stadium in a part of town with better parking where they want more people to go.”
Letter: TDA should pay for McCormick Field upgrades
“The Tourism Development Authority is the party that needs to pony up the money!”
Letter: Spend tax dollars on infrastructure
“I think tax dollars could be better spent on infrastructure — perhaps an upgraded water system?”
Letter: Please keep Tourists baseball in Asheville!
“I can’t even get my head around $30 million or how we can find a way to get it, but I’m pretty sure there’s enough people with that kind of money to preserve our honored tradition in our wonderful city!”
Council to consider reparations commission audit request Jan. 24
The reparations commission unanimously approved a recommendation for the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to “stop further harm” to the Black community by “ceasing the repetition of institutional processes that lead to racially disparate outcomes.” The audit is meant to ensure that such harms have actually ceased and that local governments are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
A look back at Asheville’s precarious pro baseball history
Asheville’s McCormick Field has been home to a minor league baseball team every season since 1959, but the city has come close to losing baseball several times in that span. As the Tourists seek $30 million in improvements to the antiquated ballpark, the future of the national pastime in Asheville once again is in doubt.
Letter: Dreaming small at McCormick Field
“I don’t want to get all Field of Dreams on people’s asses, but we need not even build anything new or flashy to get the people to come.”
Council to hear climate justice update
The work was launched in response to Asheville’s passage of a climate emergency resolution in January 2020, which committed the city to “an equitable and just citywide mobilization effort to reverse global warming” and set 2030 as a target for eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions within city limits.
Asheville Tourists players pursue big league dreams in offseason
As players count the days until Feb. 14 — the day pitchers and catchers report to spring training — Xpress spoke with two Tourists from the 2021 season about their time in Asheville, their plans for the winter months and how the minor league experience isn’t as glamorous as it may seem.
Carolina Beer Guy: Local breweries featured on Amazon Prime series ‘Crafted’ and other beer-related news
Bhramari Brewing Co., Green Man Brewery. Zillicoah Beer Co. and DSSOLVR will be featured in the second season of “Crafted,” a series on Amazon Prime and Facebook Watch. Also: Thirsty Thursday on hold; Capitalize the B campaign celebrates Black History Month; and more.
Asheville Tourists give fans missing baseball a taste of the game
Pop-up concessions events at McCormick Field serve ballpark favorites such as the Tourists Dog, chili cheese dogs, bratwurst, soft serve ice cream and, because it’s Asheville, craft beer.
Council hears update on Memorial Stadium parking
Parks and Recreation Director Roderick Simmons fielded criticism over the parking changes from multiple community members and athletic groups. The city’s efforts to reduce the burden of event parking in the East End, Edgehill, Hunt Hill and Oakhurst neighborhoods, they said, had hampered their access to the athletic facility.
No room for the inn: The Gospel According to Jerry
“The city allowed the builder to go through all the expensive steps required to get total approval from all regulatory agencies, and then several Council members announced their intent to vote against it because, in their great wisdom, they have made the arbitrary decision that Asheville already has too many hotels.”
Minor league sports teams make major plays in Asheville
Asheville has seen numerous minor league teams come and go throughout the years, but its long-established baseball team is now joined by minor league soccer and football clubs that are redefining the local sports landscape.
Independence Day events around WNC
Whether you favor pig pickin’ or watermelon, live music or a dramatic reading of the “Declaration of Independence,” there’s something for everyone this holiday, and Xpress has all your pie-flavored, freedom-filled needs covered.