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BALLPARK REVIEWS

TVA CREDIT UNION BALLPARK

Review from July 10, 2018
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.

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TVA CREDIT UNION BALLPARK
Johnson City, Tennessee

OUR RATING: 
42 / 50

HOME OF THE:
JOHNSON CITY CARDINALS

MLB AFFILIATE:
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS


BUILT: 1956
CAPACITY: 3,800
CLASS: ROOKIE
LEAGUE: APPALACHIAN

TICKET VALUE  10/10

  • $6 GA seating - metal bleachers primarily under grandstand-style roof
  • $8 reserved seats - first few rows behind the nets in plate area
  • ​No promotions on night we attended, but promotions other days of week

CONCESSIONS  8/10

  • ID Check / wristband station
  • Several booths with draft beer - $10 souvenir mason jar with $4 refills
  • Picnic tables near concession stand
  • $3 bottled water, soda, Gatorade, tea
  • $2-3 snacks (candy, chips, popcorn, cotton candy)
  • $8 hamburger combos / $4-5 sandwiches
  • $3.50 Mellow Mushroom pizza slice
  • ​Similar prices as higher level ballpark. Seems slightly expensive for the venue.

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  4/5

  • "Jay Cee" (JC: Johnson City) mascot welcoming fans walking into ballpark
  • Children participating in between-inning activities on field
  • ​Free kids club offers free tickets and other perks
  • Inflatable bounce house, speed pitch, basketball toss and corn hole located near the gate
  • Not many kids utilizing the activities, but they were available.

ATMOSPHERE  7/10

  • ​Free programs
  • Bar located near standing-room only section featuring tabletops and corn hole - not crowded during our game, but looks like a fun space for a group
  • Small trailer for team store (not a real room), with minimal shirts/hats/novelties.
  • In-between innings and contests; style common with Single-A/Advanced-A level baseball. Great effort for a Rookie league team to engage the crowd.
  • ​Speakers playing music and setting a fun environment for the fans.
  • Promotion schedule hanging in the bathroom. No promotions on night we attended, but other nights feature $1 days (hot dogs, drinks), all-you-can-eat-Wednesdays, etc. Promotional nights may bring a bigger crowd.

CHARACTER  8/10

  • Covered grandstand - bleachers & lower section of reserved seats; Some bleachers not covered.
  • Layout of seating/walkways/vendor carts not conducive to good traffic flow... Walkway back to concessions area behind bleachers out of view of game, or down small crowded hallway. Would be a major problem if park was near capacity.
  • ALL turf infield; natural grass in outfield - Large JC Cardinal logo on ground behind the plate. Whole infield stays nice and fresh being synthetic
  • Brick buildings for bathroom and main concession stand
  • Tents for beer and a special beer garden down left field line​
  • A couple banners of past players
  • Uniforms nearly identical of parent franchise: St. Louis Cardinals
  • Hat logo of angry cardinal gripping a bat with "JC" letters behind him
  • ​ballpark digest.com Rookie League Park of the Year - 2017 and 2018
  • Stadium located on outskirts of city - while on bleachers the view is not pretty... just road and industrial buildings across the street.
  • Basic digital scoreboard / no video board

PARKING  5/5

  • ​Paved lot close to entrance
  • ​FREE parking
Read More Reviews
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TICKET VALUE
(10 points)

• Ticket Prices
​• View from Seat

​CONCESSIONS
​(10 points)

• Variety, Quality & Price of Food
• Variety of Drinks / Souvenir Cups
• Length of Lines at Concession Stands

​FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
​(5 points)

• Play Areas
• In-Between Inning Activities & Contests
• ​Mascot
• Family Bathrooms

​ATMOSPHERE
​(10 points)

• Local Experience
• Sound-Effects & Music
• Programs
• ​Restrooms

​CHARACTER
​(10 points)

• Home Team Uniforms & Colors
• Architecture of Stadium
• History of Stadium
​• Tributes to MLB Affiliate / Local Players
• Location of Stadium & Surrounding Scenery

​PARKING
(5 points)

• Price for Parking
• ​Size, Quality & Location of Lot
Our Rating System
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