Rookie Appalachian League Will Operate as Summer Collegiate Wood-Bat League

Culminating a busy week for Major League Baseball, MLB announced on Friday that the Appalachian League (Rookie) will operate as a summer wood-bat league for rising freshmen and sophomores.  Read more here.

Petition to Save the Appalachian League

It didn’t take long after Major League Baseball announced a proposal to eliminate 42 teams from the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) line-up for someone to step up to the plate and launch a petition drive to save certain franchises. Click here for a petition to save the Appalachian League.  What?  Didn’t MiLB just announce Pulaski as the winner of the President’s Award?  ‘Thanks for the memories, Pulaski!”

Pulaski Wins MiLB President’s Award

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today that the Pulaski Yankees are the recipients of the 46th annual John H. Johnson President’s Award. The team will receive Minor League Baseball’s top honor at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Kingsport Mayoral Candidates Discuss Proposed Ballpark

More than three years have passed since the birth of the One Kingsport initiative, a five-year roadmap aimed at making the Model City the premiere place to live, work and raise a family in the Tri-Cities.  In the second of a five-part series, the Times-News asked the candidates running for mayor and aldermen in the upcoming city election their thoughts about the proposal. Here are their replies:  Read more here.

JC Cardinals Name New Assistant General Manager

PRESS RELEASE – Boyd Sports, LLC has announced that Kat Deal will be the Assistant General Manager of the Johnson City Cardinals, effective immediately.

City Considers New Ballpark for K-Mets

City leaders in Kingsport will consider the possibility of a brand new minor league baseball stadium Tuesday.  The new stadium would replace Hunter Wright Stadium, where the Kingsport Mets (Rookie, Appalachian League) currently play. Read more here.

Atwell Named GM of G-Reds

Boyd Sports, LLC has announced Kristen Atwell as the new General Manager of the Greeneville Reds (Rookie, Appalachian League), effective immediately.  Atwell’s new role with the G-Reds comes following the inaugural season where she served as the Assistant General Manager of the team.  Read more here.

New Ballpark Initiative on Deck in Kingsport

Building a new minor league baseball stadium in downtown Kingsport (TN) for the Kingsport Mets (Rookie, Appalachian League) is now the main focus of the One Kingsport initiative.  It essentially takes the place of the outdoor venue idea and expands upon it.  Read more here.

Major Renovations Coming to Calfee Park

Major renovations are coming to Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park, according to the Pulaski Yankees (Rookie, Appalachian League). On deck are an additional 675 seats and a new upper concourse along the third baseline.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Are the Elizabethton Twins Truly in Jeopardy?

In early February, the Elizabethton (TN) City Council voted unanimously to set a February 28th deadline for the Minnesota Twins to commit to an improvement plan for Joe O’Brien Field, home of the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie, Appalachian League).  At the time, the mayor said that if the deadline isn’t met, Elizabethton leaders would withdraw their offer.

Appalachian League President to Retire After 2018 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Appalachian League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced today that after 23 seasons at the helm, league president Lee Landers will retire following the 2018 season.

Appalachian League President Lee Landers Named King of Baseball

Minor League Baseball announced today that Lee Landers, president of the Appalachian League, has been named the 2017 King of Baseball.  The King of Baseball is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball recognizes a veteran of professional baseball for longtime dedication and service.  Read more here.

Johnson City’s VP/GM Accepts Position with Lugnuts

Boyd Sports, LLC has announced that Johnson City Cardinals Vice President/General Manager Tyler Parsons is moving on from the organization after accepting a position with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League.  Read more here.

Astros Cut Ties with Greenville, Appalachian League

The Houston Astros are ending their affiliation with the Rookie Level Appalachian League, making the future of minor league baseball in Greeneville uncertain.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the news.

New Turf Looking Good in Johnson City

Boyd Sports has completed its $250,000 installation of new synthetic turf on TVA Credit Union Ballpark’s infield and other areas well ahead of the Johnson City Cardinals’ (Rookie, Appalachian League) season.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

JC Cardinals Set Single Season Attendance Record

PRESS RELEASE – The Johnson City Cardinals set a new single-season attendance record Tuesday night by welcoming their 48,039th fan, Doug Janz, through the gates of TVA Credit Union Ballpark in 2016. The new mark eclipses the 48,038 total from the 1994 campaign. Janz received a special prize pack from the Cardinals for the recognition, including a team autographed jersey.

Ballpark Renovations Underway in Johnson City

TVA Credit Union Ballpark, home of the Johnson City Cardinals, is undergoing $450,000 in renovations, which include the construction of a new party new deck.  The work is expected to be completed by opening day on June 26.  Read more here.

Bristol Eyeing Ballpark Improvements

Bristol (VA) city officials are developing plans to make improvements to Boyce Cox Field, home of the Bristol Pirates (Rookie, Appalachian League).  Read more here

JC Cardinals Unveil Rendering for New Deck

PRESS RELEASE – The Johnson City Cardinals have released the first renditions of their new Party Deck/Beer Garden addition to TVA Credit Union Ballpark for the 2016 season.

Calfee Park Looking Good, More Events Targeted

After undergoing $6 million in renovations over the past couple of years, operators of Calfee Park, home of the Pulaski Yankees (Rookie, Appalachian League), are looking to keep the facility humming with more games and events.  Read more and enjoy a news report/ballpark tour here.

B-Royals Ballpark Getting New Bleachers

New bleachers will be installed along the first- and third-base sides at  Burlington Athletic Stadium in another upgrade that Burlington Royals (Rookie, Appalachian League) General Manager Ryan Keur said is a significant enhancement.  Read more here.

Bristol (TN) Approves Funding for Ballpark Study

A resolution to fund a $35,000 study to determine if Bristol needs a new Minor League baseball stadium for the Bristol Pirates (Rookie, Appalachian League) on the Tennessee side of town was approved by City Council Tuesday night.  The Virginia side of town currently hosts the team at Boyce Cox Field at DeVault Memorial Stadium.  Read more here.

Appy League Unveils New Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Appalachian League of Professional Baseball Clubs announced today the creation of a new logo for the 10-team Rookie-Advanced level league.

Pulaski to Sell Ballpark, Mariners Pulling Out

The city of Pulaski (VA) voted Tuesday night to sell antiquated Calfee Park to Shelor Motor Mile — a car dealership owned by David Hagan.  The Rookie-level Pulaski Mariners (Appalachian League) will not be returning in 2015.  Hagan plans to renovate the park and is currently negotiating to bring in

Burlington (NC) Dreams of New Downtown Ballpark

Powers in Burlington (NC) dream of a new downtown ballpark for the Rookie-level Burlington Royals (Appalachian League), but it’s really nothing more than a dream right now.  The B-Royals currently play at Burlington Athletic Stadium.  Read more here.

Owners of Pulaski Mariners to Retire, Owners of Speedway/Dragway Will Take the Reins

PRESS RELEASE – After twenty-five years of operating a team in the Appalachian League, the owners of Pulaski Baseball, Inc. have decided to retire.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Joe O’Brien Field (Elizabethton, TN)

Graham Knight from BaseballPilgrimages.com visits Joe O’Brien Field, home of the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League).  Read more and view photos here.

Bristol Pirates Unveil Logos

The Rookie-level Bristol Pirates (Appalachian League) introduced their new branding at a press conference this afternoon at the Pavilion at Boyce Cox Field in Bristol (VA).  View press release here.

Alternate logo, inspired by the classic sign over State Street in downtown Bristol (VA), Bistol Pirates Twitter

New cap logo, Bristol Pirates Twitter

Burlington Royals Getting New Scoreboard

A new scoreboard for Burlington Athletic Stadium, home of the Rookie-level Burlington Royals (Appalachian League), has been approved and should be installed by spring.  Read more here.

John and Lois Dittrich Hired to Run Pulaski Mariners

PRESS RELEASE – The Pulaski Mariners (Appalachian League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) have announced the hiring of veteran husband-wife baseball management team John & Lois Dittrich to oversee team operations in Pulaski.

Bristol Sox Change Name to Bristol Pirates

PRESS RELEASE – Bristol Baseball, Inc. has announced that Bristol’s team in the Appalachian League will officially be known as the Bristol Pirates.

Greenville Astros Say Goodbye to Mascots Tex and Tess

PRESS RELEASE – The Greeneville Astros announced today that longtime mascots Tennessee Tex and Tennessee Tess have decided it is time for them to move on and leave the job of leading the roar of the crowd at Pioneer Park to someone else. The announcement was made by Tex and Tess along with Greeneville Astros general manager David Lane during a news conference at

P-Mariners Losing GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Pulaski Mariners have announced today that General Manager Ryan Kiel will be leaving the organization to become the Assistant Athletic Director at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne Florida.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Howard Johnson Field (Johnson City, TN)

Brian Merzbach from BallparkReviews.com visits Howard Johnson Field, home of the Rookie-level Johnson City Cardinals (Appalachian League).  View photos and review here.

Greenville Astros Unveil New Branding, Unis

PRESS RELEASE – The Greeneville Astros officially revealed the club’s new uniforms, logos and color schemes for the 2013 season at a Launch Party held today at Pioneer Park. Astros’ fans in attendance witnessed the club reveal a blue and orange color scheme, the same colors that will be worn by the Houston Astros.

Paupeck Named GM of Kingsport Mets

PRESS RELEASE – The St. Lucie Mets have announced long-time employee Brian Paupeck has been named the General Manager of the Kingsport Mets. Paupeck, who served as the team’s Manager of Food and Beverage Operations for 10 years, will run the day-to-day operations in Kingsport.

George McGonagle Crowned ‘King of Baseball’

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball named Bluefield Blue Jays President George McGonagle, who has been with the Appalachian League club for more than 50 years, the “2012 King of Baseball” tonight at the annual Baseball Winter MeetingsBanquet. The “King of Baseball” is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball salutes a veteran from the professional

From Bat Boy in Auburn to GM in Bluefield

Starting out as a bat boy in 2001, Jeff Gray, 22, spent a decade of summers in various roles with the Single-A Auburn Doubledays (New York-Penn League).  Now he has the opportunity to run the show in Bluefield (WV) as the new general manager for the Rookie-level Bluefield Blue Jays (Appalachian League).  Read more here.

Greeville Astros Contemplating New Mascots

PRESS RELEASE – The upcoming 2013 season will mark the 10th year for the Greeneville Astros as a member of the Appalachian League, but the club will have a brand new look beginning next season. The Astros are following the lead of their parent club in Houston by changing the club’s logos, uniforms and color schemes beginning next season. The date of the unveiling of these

Impressions of a Ballpark Hunter: Surrealism in Bristol

Marc Viquez

For all intents and purposes, there should not be professional baseball played at DeVault Memorial Stadium-affiliated or independent. Just one look of this misfit structure makes you wonder how on earth minor league baseball is still prevalent in Bristol, Va., in the 21st century.  Although the ballpark may not be pleasing to the eye at first, one may need to use their