McCormick Field
Asheville, NC
Team: Asheville Tourists
Affiliation: Colorado Rockies
Capacity: 4,000
Completed: 1992/1924*
*Read below

Since Camden Yards was built in the early '90s, there has been a push towards building both major and minor league ballparks that feel like older, more classic parks.  But, most of these new parks have added luxury boxes and other modern amenities that diminish the sense of nostalgia.  Not so with McCormick Field.  This is a "new" park that replicates the "old style" feeling better than any other that I have seen.

The current version of McCormick Field was built in 1992, but it replaced a much older version, thus the two dates given above.  The original incarnation of McCormick Field held its first baseball game in 1924, starting a rich and diverse history that includes visits from the likes of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb as well as a brief stint as a race track in the 1950s.  You can read more about the history of this great place on the Tourist's website by clicking here.    

Perhaps the biggest reason that this place feels so authentic is that it was built to resemble, at least in some ways, the original version of itself.  The original wooden grandstand was replaced with concrete and brick and the original roof, which sported view-blocking supports, was replaced with a cantilevered top.  But, while the structure is more modern, the design remains decidedly old-fashioned.  The biggest indication of this is the complete absence of luxury boxes.  Even the press box is rather unobtrusive.  Also, the presence of red brick throughout the park (including in the wall separating grandstand from field), provides a warm and comfortable touch.  

The atmosphere at McCormick Field is just as comfortable.  Because of the small capacity, there is a nice intimacy here.  The concessions are fairly reasonable and diverse - this was the first park at which I have encountered kettle corn!  Even the mascot was more talented and entertaining than most of the others I've seen at this level of ball.  On top of all of this, Asheville's location high in the mountains of western North Carolina helps to make the summer weather a bit more comfortable than they might be at other parks in the tar heel state.  Overall, this place was one of my favorite places to watch a baseball game.   

Here are the team clubhouses - welcome to single-A, boys!