Review from July 10, 2018
Johnson City Cardinals vs. Elizabethton Twins
Johnson City Cardinals vs. Elizabethton Twins
The Popular Ballpark
By: Matthew Preslar
The ballparkdigest.com (popular vote) 2017 Rookie League Park of the Year made my wishlist to visit in 2018. In the short time leading up to our trip, TVA Credit Union Ballpark won the popular vote for best Rookie park in 2018 as well. With these kind of accolades, I had great anticipation to see this park. With seeing several other parks in the Appalachian League, I understand the appeal of the Johnson City Cardinals.
One reason Johnson City could win a popular vote is sheer population. At least in their division, Johnson City is the most major city. After the game, we visited the local Planet Fitness. It was very crowded at midnight. To me, this shows how “happening” and populated this city is.
Another reason many fans may love the Johnson City Cardinals has to do with Boyd Sports Management, the operators on the business end of the franchise. More research and hopefully an article to come on Boyd Sports Management, but this group operates two other franchises, the now Greeneville Reds and the Tennessee Smokies. While the promotions may vary amongst all the locations, it seems that Boyd offers cheap food and drinks multiple nights a week in an effort to keep the crowds large and the energy high; they want the ballpark to be the place to be in town that night.
At Johnson City, Mondays are $1 Mondays (select food and drinks for $1) and Wednesdays are all you can eat (for one price you get admission, select food/drink, and snacks all game long). This group wants to make a connection with the community and show them they are wanted at these parks. I love the concept. At a small rookie level park, it’s reported that the Cardinals have had nearly 3,500 fans on some of these big promotional nights.
The park itself had some unique features. The entire infield area was all synthetic. Natural grass didn’t start until after the infield. While costly to install, this cuts down on time and effort and expense of maintaining the primary part of the playing field.
The seating area was very unique relative to their neighbors in East Tennessee. There were a few reserved rows in the front of the seating areas. The rest of the seating was GA bleachers. The unique feature is that most of the main seating area is covered by a roof. There was also fans in that roof. The stirring fans broke the still, humid air and probably cut down the amount of bugs bothering the fans.
As far as creating a party atmosphere, TVA Credit Union Park has the amenities. Down both lines are bar areas. These areas are a little distance away from them main seating area. This allows the park to be more “family” near the plate, and more “party” down the lines: two separate environments. One of these party areas has several corn hole boards. It’s really a park that makes a great attempt to engage every demographic and do whatever it takes to draw money at the gate. I appreciate the effort of the organization and look forward to what the future holds for the Johnson City Cardinals.
By: Matthew Preslar
The ballparkdigest.com (popular vote) 2017 Rookie League Park of the Year made my wishlist to visit in 2018. In the short time leading up to our trip, TVA Credit Union Ballpark won the popular vote for best Rookie park in 2018 as well. With these kind of accolades, I had great anticipation to see this park. With seeing several other parks in the Appalachian League, I understand the appeal of the Johnson City Cardinals.
One reason Johnson City could win a popular vote is sheer population. At least in their division, Johnson City is the most major city. After the game, we visited the local Planet Fitness. It was very crowded at midnight. To me, this shows how “happening” and populated this city is.
Another reason many fans may love the Johnson City Cardinals has to do with Boyd Sports Management, the operators on the business end of the franchise. More research and hopefully an article to come on Boyd Sports Management, but this group operates two other franchises, the now Greeneville Reds and the Tennessee Smokies. While the promotions may vary amongst all the locations, it seems that Boyd offers cheap food and drinks multiple nights a week in an effort to keep the crowds large and the energy high; they want the ballpark to be the place to be in town that night.
At Johnson City, Mondays are $1 Mondays (select food and drinks for $1) and Wednesdays are all you can eat (for one price you get admission, select food/drink, and snacks all game long). This group wants to make a connection with the community and show them they are wanted at these parks. I love the concept. At a small rookie level park, it’s reported that the Cardinals have had nearly 3,500 fans on some of these big promotional nights.
The park itself had some unique features. The entire infield area was all synthetic. Natural grass didn’t start until after the infield. While costly to install, this cuts down on time and effort and expense of maintaining the primary part of the playing field.
The seating area was very unique relative to their neighbors in East Tennessee. There were a few reserved rows in the front of the seating areas. The rest of the seating was GA bleachers. The unique feature is that most of the main seating area is covered by a roof. There was also fans in that roof. The stirring fans broke the still, humid air and probably cut down the amount of bugs bothering the fans.
As far as creating a party atmosphere, TVA Credit Union Park has the amenities. Down both lines are bar areas. These areas are a little distance away from them main seating area. This allows the park to be more “family” near the plate, and more “party” down the lines: two separate environments. One of these party areas has several corn hole boards. It’s really a park that makes a great attempt to engage every demographic and do whatever it takes to draw money at the gate. I appreciate the effort of the organization and look forward to what the future holds for the Johnson City Cardinals.
TVA CREDIT UNION BALLPARK
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TICKET VALUE 10/10
CONCESSIONS 8/10
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS 4/5
ATMOSPHERE 7/10
CHARACTER 8/10
PARKING 5/5
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