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It Always Works Out
By: Matthew Preslar July 27, 2022 Tennessee Smokies vs. Birmingham Barons Summer Vacation!! With a huge weekend in store in Nashville, there was absolutely no way we were making that drive from home in one day. Lucky for us, the schedule worked out, as it always does. For the first time since 2018 we were making a stop in East Tennessee with the Tennessee Smokies. 
Smokies Stadium is known as "America’s Friendliest Ballpark". That speaks a lot to the owner and management group of Randy Boyd and his Boyd Sports. It probably speaks more highly on the people of East Tennessee in general.
We left with fond memories in 2018 and wanted to be sure to experience the ballpark again. With Smokies Stadium aging, a new park for the team is expected to be completed in Knoxville for the 2024 season. Progress is good and necessary. However, the character of these older ballparks will be lost forever. This is likely our last chance. On Game Day:
The two of our family with no dietary restrictions decided to try the buffet available. “All-You-Can-Eat Wednesday” only cost $24. This gave you the food spread of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc. You could sit in the special left field patio area, BUT you also purchased an infield box seat at that price. How amazing!!! A more than serviceable ballpark dinner and a great seat at the coziest ballpark at a family friendly price. 
The game also was a minor league matchup of the White Sox and Cubs. The visitor, the Birmingham Barons, boasted a few of our former Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The Barons put on a power display and comfortably won the game. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come in coming years for the AAA Charlotte Knights and the MLB Chicago White Sox.
The stadium and the baseball is always good, but the highlight of the night was the ice cream. The vendor was an expert on his product. His stand, located down the left field line (ironically opposite of the kids zone) had an array of options. The point of the stand was to mix and match. The intent was to have a base flavor of ice cream topped by a flavor or flavors of shaved ice. Our explorative child went vanilla ice cream topped by Birthday Cake and lime flavor on his shaved ice. The contrary child went basic and got a strawberry milkshake. We had a great laugh when the ice cream guru actually called her a loser for her simplistic choice. All in fun, but he really wanted to show off his skill and knowledge!!! Yet another testament to the saying “America’s Friendliest Ballpark,” and a great way to start the excursion through Tennessee. (Somehow, we have no photos of these treats to share... I guess we were too busy eating!) |
SMOKIES STADIUM
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Review from July 10, 2018
Tennessee Smokies vs. Montgomery Biscuits
Tennessee Smokies vs. Montgomery Biscuits
Go Smokies Go!
By: Matthew Preslar
During our baseball trips, we seem to have good fortune. Our time around East Tennessee was no exception. As our crazy schedule took us east and west along I-40 multiple times, we had some lucky timing. Our tickets were for a Tuesday day game, but we had some time Monday afternoon in passing and stopped in the Smokies team store. As we were getting near, we read the report that Kris Bryant would be in town a couple days on rehab assignment. During our time in the store, Kris was on the field doing media for all the local outlets. He was a fan favorite several years back as he developed in the minor leagues. It was obvious the town loved having one of THEIR heroes return. (we caught a photo of Kris Bryant on field with the media... see pictures below!)
There was a special buzz in the air during our visit to Smokies Stadium. You could already feel it during our team store visit Monday afternoon. Monday night, we already had an outing planned elsewhere, but we read all about the scene at Smokies Stadium. It was reported that nearly 7,600 attended that game and saw the former NL MVP deliver two hits including a home run. Tuesday, a day game, was a little more business as usual it appeared. Kris stuck around for two more at bats before meeting the Chicago Cubs in San Francisco. The smaller day game crowd gave us a chance to take in Smokies Stadium in a more relaxed environment.
The park is branded “America’s Friendliest Ballpark.” From interacting with other fans before the game, to helpful and friendly staff working concession stands, this was really true. One Smokies/Cubs fan sitting behind us exemplified "friendly" when she caught a ball tossed by a player and was looking for somebody to give it to. My wife chimed in that we came from several hours away and collected as much memorabilia as possible as we toured these various venues. One of our goals is to have a league ball everywhere we go. Thanks to that nice lady, we have our first AA SOUTHERN LEAGUE baseball! As much as we love the ball, the story is what truly describes the kind hearted people of Tennessee.
The stadium itself had many great features. As seems to be the case with all Cub affiliates (Myrtle Beach), heavy branding must be a Cubs requirement. Even the center cap on the overhead fans had the Smokies logo. One concession stand was called “Taste of Chicago” and the “W” (win) flag logo was used a few times around the park. I hoped the Smokies would win to hear if they had a version of the “Go Cubs Go” win song. However, they lost in 11 innings. The plastic Mason Jar cups had a high quality Smokies logo. The team store had many options of Smokies/Cubs hats and shirts. In whatever your style, you could be branded as well.
On multiple stops on our adventures, we have seen how well Cubs fans travel and represent as the visitors. It was nice to see them as the home team. Everybody takes pride in being a part of the organization as the Cubs are a very hot worldwide brand. One team store employee even told us she had moved down from Chicago. Working for the Smokies was a way she could feel like she never left home. Everybody is proud to be a member of the Cubs and this scene really makes us feel like we have to visit Wrigley Field in the near future!
By: Matthew Preslar
During our baseball trips, we seem to have good fortune. Our time around East Tennessee was no exception. As our crazy schedule took us east and west along I-40 multiple times, we had some lucky timing. Our tickets were for a Tuesday day game, but we had some time Monday afternoon in passing and stopped in the Smokies team store. As we were getting near, we read the report that Kris Bryant would be in town a couple days on rehab assignment. During our time in the store, Kris was on the field doing media for all the local outlets. He was a fan favorite several years back as he developed in the minor leagues. It was obvious the town loved having one of THEIR heroes return. (we caught a photo of Kris Bryant on field with the media... see pictures below!)
There was a special buzz in the air during our visit to Smokies Stadium. You could already feel it during our team store visit Monday afternoon. Monday night, we already had an outing planned elsewhere, but we read all about the scene at Smokies Stadium. It was reported that nearly 7,600 attended that game and saw the former NL MVP deliver two hits including a home run. Tuesday, a day game, was a little more business as usual it appeared. Kris stuck around for two more at bats before meeting the Chicago Cubs in San Francisco. The smaller day game crowd gave us a chance to take in Smokies Stadium in a more relaxed environment.
The park is branded “America’s Friendliest Ballpark.” From interacting with other fans before the game, to helpful and friendly staff working concession stands, this was really true. One Smokies/Cubs fan sitting behind us exemplified "friendly" when she caught a ball tossed by a player and was looking for somebody to give it to. My wife chimed in that we came from several hours away and collected as much memorabilia as possible as we toured these various venues. One of our goals is to have a league ball everywhere we go. Thanks to that nice lady, we have our first AA SOUTHERN LEAGUE baseball! As much as we love the ball, the story is what truly describes the kind hearted people of Tennessee.
The stadium itself had many great features. As seems to be the case with all Cub affiliates (Myrtle Beach), heavy branding must be a Cubs requirement. Even the center cap on the overhead fans had the Smokies logo. One concession stand was called “Taste of Chicago” and the “W” (win) flag logo was used a few times around the park. I hoped the Smokies would win to hear if they had a version of the “Go Cubs Go” win song. However, they lost in 11 innings. The plastic Mason Jar cups had a high quality Smokies logo. The team store had many options of Smokies/Cubs hats and shirts. In whatever your style, you could be branded as well.
On multiple stops on our adventures, we have seen how well Cubs fans travel and represent as the visitors. It was nice to see them as the home team. Everybody takes pride in being a part of the organization as the Cubs are a very hot worldwide brand. One team store employee even told us she had moved down from Chicago. Working for the Smokies was a way she could feel like she never left home. Everybody is proud to be a member of the Cubs and this scene really makes us feel like we have to visit Wrigley Field in the near future!
OUR RATING:
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TICKET VALUE 11/10
CONCESSIONS 10/10
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS 4/5
ATMOSPHERE 9/10
CHARACTER 8/10
PARKING 4/5
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Our Purpose is to show that going to a baseball game is the best value in entertainment. Baseball Makes Memories.
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