Homer the Hound may be smarter than your average bear, but he isn't a bear. Requests are processed in the order they are received and the approval process usually takes 3 weeks. It is made up of seven directors recommended by the county and city mayors and jointly appointed by the Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission. From there, one can make like the Great Smoky Mountains and extend into North Carolina. BAG SEARCH: All bags are subject to inspection prior to entering the ballpark. Tennessee Smokies (Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs since 2007)Established: 1972 (as the Knoxville Sox)Ballpark: Smokies Stadium (opened in 2000)League: Southern LeagueNotable Alumni: Roy Halladay, Jeff Kent, Yadier Molina, Cecil Fielder, Fred McGriff, Ballpark Guides for EVERY Minor League team . Tennessee Smokies | MiLB.com an expanded tax increment financing district, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $750,000, Architecture, design and engineering: $8.4 million. The Sports Authority Board, whose members are appointed by local government to help plan the stadium, also received an update on the involvement of disadvantaged businesses in construction. The Tennessee Smokies are, of course, located in Tennessee. Official Facebook of the Tennessee Smokies, Class AA Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Smokies Seating Chart | Smokies - MiLB.com JERSEY AUCTIONS: Specialty jerseys are auctioned off and will be available after the game. 3540 Line Dr Gov. Any cost overruns beyond the guaranteed maximum price also will be covered by Boyd, according to officials. Jerseys can be bid on through the LiveSource app or website. The legislation requires the project to receive at least $100 million in private development. It's a warm and welcoming place to see a game, possessed of a small-town feel despite its proximity to Knoxville. The current iteration of the team debuted in the Double-A Southern League in 1972 as the Knoxville Sox. The stadium is estimatedto bring in$480,000 annually in sales tax revenues, which will be split by the city and county. The concourse features a Chicago Corner with Windy City grub, a Papa Johns down the first base line and a pair of Dippin Dots carts on either side of the park. The Smokies will begin playing baseball in the stadium April 2025. 2023 www.knoxnews.com. Tennessee Smokies Smokies Stadium is located in the small town of Kodak, in close proximity to Sevierville and the tourist-centric towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. CHILDREN: Children ages two and under may be admitted to Smokies games without a ticket but need to sit in the lap of an accompany adult. For more information, click here or call us at (865) 286-2300. The Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission approved a plan . This first base-side area was where fans lined up for Ryne Sandberg's autograph when he managed the Smokies in 2009. Smokies Stadium, which replaced Knoxville's Bill Meyer Stadium, opened in 2000. Go through the first traffic light, and the parking entrance will be directly on your right. The birthday package includes tickets to the game, a video board announcement, and more! Standard and wheelchair accessible. The bond debt would belong to the Sports Authority and would not be on county or city books, according to Grand Slam Knox, a stadium blog by Boyd Sports. Please be considerate of other guests. Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. It's a warm and welcoming place to see a game, possessed of a small-town feel despite its proximity to Knoxville. The Boomstick -- a footlong Swaggerty-brand sausage topped with beer cheese, peppers and onions -- can be obtained there, as well as the sweet and savory concoction that is a Krispy Kreme Slider. Boyd has promised that his group of private financiers could provide well over that amount. THIRSTY THURSDAY: Every Thursday is Thirsty Thursday! Children will exit the field at Section 104. Birmingham 9-12. During the game, make sure to be in your seat for the Smokies' between-inning Chicken Run. Suites can be combined with larger rental spaces for breakout rooms for your next business meeting. Smokies owner Randy Boyd has committed $5.8 million to construction and cost overruns, and promised to bring in $142 million in private money to build630,000 square feet of restaurants, retail and residences around the stadium. Smokies Stadium is located in the small town of Kodak, in close proximity to Sevierville and the tourist-centric towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. MORE:Knoxville shouldn't let second chance for a baseball stadium slip away | Opinion. Workers have been preparing the site with water and sewer lines since May. With a variety of facility options, a full-service in-house catering team, easy parking access, and affordable packages, Smokies Stadium offers a unique space perfect for any crowd. NURSING: A perfect space for mothers who need a private area to pump or breastfeed, the First Aid room is private and air conditioned. Smokies Stadium offers a very large parking lot great for a variety of events. Lees budget still has to be approved and the legislation still has to make its way through the Senate and House before Lee can sign it, though the change in funding mechanism does not require the same approval the sports authority did from the city council and county commission. PROHIBITED ITEMS: Food, beverages, weapons of any kind (even with a concealed weapons permit), containers such as coolers or thermoses, lawn chairs, helium balloons, banners or signs that are not in the spirit of the event or that obstruct the view of others, animals other than service animals, and compressed air horns are all prohibited at Smokies Stadium. The outfield section of the concourse, once dominated by berm seating, now includes a pair of group areas: Yee-Haw at the Yard (in left field) and the Pioneer Porch (in right). On the other side of the facility, the Bush's Best Ballpark Caf offers an array of customizable items featuring Bush's Beans (the company's headquarters are in nearby Chestnut Hill). Of course, the cheaper and likely more memorable option is to go camping. There are several hotels within a several-minute drive to Smokies Stadium, including one within walking distance. That loan would be repaid through an expanded tax increment financing district (more on that in a bit). Click here for the full map. Homer the Hound may be smarter than your average bear, but he isn't a bear. Downtown Sevierville offers a respite from the sensory overload, with standouts such as Graze Burgers and, more upscale, The Appalachian. One worthwhile road trip agenda would be to start in Nashville with the Sounds and then visit the Chattanooga Lookouts before traveling to see the Smokies. Your group can take in the sights and sounds of "America's Friendliest Ballpark" from inside one of our fully furnished Luxury Suites, or enjoy the action from its private balcony. Make your next work event one employees will never forget. Welcome to Smokies Stadium, surrounded by natural beauty and gaudy tourist meccas in equal measure. The parking attendants will then direct you to the nearest available parking spot. Nearby Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, a sprawling resort and theme park co-owned by Parton herself. (00:29), April 29, 2023 Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe. The outfield section of the concourse, once dominated by berm seating, now includes a pair of group areas: Yee-Haw at the Yard (in left field) and the Pioneer Porch (in right). PHONE NUMBER: For information or to purchase tickets, please call (865) 286-2300. The seating bowl, situated close to the action, extends past the bases on both sides before giving way to bleacher seating. MORE:Knoxvillians weigh in on proposed baseball stadium | Featured letters. It sits among the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and is a popular visit for all baseball lovers in the area. CHICKEN RUN: The Chicken Run takes place at the end of the 6th inning. The kids were unable to catch up. All requests must be submitted online through our Donation Request Page. Players in the Chicago Cubs' systems, like their fans, travel well. Smokies Job Opportunities | Smokies - MiLB.com Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles in Tennessee and North Carolina, and one of its main entrances is in Gatlinburg. The Old City stadium price tag will jump thanks to rising material costs. The project could create 3,000 jobs, including 400 full-time positions. For more information, email Morgan. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Benjamin Hill, who covers the business and culture of Minor League Baseball, has visited 182 Minor League ballparks. Emailryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Located on the concourse level down the third base line, this space offers an indoor, climate-controlled area great for groups of up to about 150 people. It was officially announced after being rumored that the Smokies would be moving closer to Knoxville, with their current living situation residing in Kodak, Tennessee about a 30 minute drive from the scruffy city. Benjamin Hill, who covers the business and culture of Minor League Baseball, has visited 182 Minor League ballparks. The country music icon grew up in Sevierville, whose quaint downtown now features a Dolly Parton statue on the courthouse lawn. The Smokies' current bear-centric branding references area wildlife -- bears are prevalent throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- as well as their parent club. [1] Another porch, Calhoun's at the Yard completed in 2014, is located in left field. The popcorn is excellent and every concession area serves Pepsi products as well as Cheerwine, both bottled and fountain. HOTEL: Smokies Stadium is conveniently located next to the Hampton Inn & Suites. Smokies Stadium is the perfect venue for your next event all 12 months out of the year. Fans can enjoy 20oz draft beer for only $3! Children are not allowed to wear flip flops. Bidding and the generation of a maximum price contract will go from Novemberto mid-January. WALK UP SONGS: Walk up songs for Smokies players can be found here. The Sports Authority Board will finalize a plan in May to issue $65 million in bonds, the last step before the downtown Knoxville baseball stadium ceremoniously breaks ground. Piegon Forge/Sevirville/Gatlinburg: Head north on Winfield Dunn Parkway. The remaining utility work, such as electric, gas and additional water and sewer, will begin in October. CAMERA AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT: Cameras and video recorders are allowed at Smokies Stadium as long as they do not obstruct the view of others. PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: The Smokies have been a Cubs affiliate since 2007, following two years with the Diamondbacks and two with the Cardinals. UMBRELLAS: Umbrellas are permitted inside Smokies Stadium. Sandberg's Alley is one of many examples of Cubs-themed decor in and around the park. A virtual tour of the updated stadium plan revealed some of the most notable changes, including the removal of some second-floor spaces that partially would have served for retail and team offices. The country music icon grew up in Sevierville, whose quaint downtown now features a Dolly Parton statue on the courthouse lawn. The borrowed $65 million, approved by the county and city, is just part of the stadiums $114 million cost. The largest outdoor picnic space available at Smokies Stadium is located in left field just beyond the outfield wall. All rights reserved. Do you wish to continue? Knoxville promised a state-of-the-art facility in the downtown area for the Smokies, but its hard to pack up and leave what has been positioned as Americas Friendliest Ballpark.. On the concourse, a sign designates the pathway between sections 106 and 107 as Sandberg Alley. The current iteration of the team debuted in the Double-A Southern League in 1972 as the Knoxville Sox. It sits among the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and is a popular visit for all baseball lovers in the area. There are also plaques throughout the park commemorating the player who made it to The Show that passed through Kodak on the way. The Smokies' current bear-centric branding references area wildlife -- bears are prevalent throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- as well as their parent club. That same year, the team's geographical signifier was switched from Knoxville to Tennessee. Extra tickets for a game may not be redeemed for a giveaway item. Pick a restaurant cuisine or theme and you'll probably find it. Boyd unveils vision for new Knoxville ballpark Parking is only $5 and the employees keep up the Americas Friendliest Ballpark theme as well. Boyd Sports and the Tennessee Smokies AA Southern League baseball team plans to lease the stadium, but the facility would be designed to accommodate other sports and host hundreds of other non-baseball events each year, such as concerts, festivals or soccer games. It goes without saying that a touristy region is going to have plenty of places to stay. They may be named the Tennessee Smokies, but the Smokies are not the only Minor League team in Tennessee. You made it to the end of the A-Z information! Exclusive to groups of 20 or more, it is an excellent space to host your next big event. (00:27), Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. Opening day is now planned for the 2025 season. Welcome to Smokies Stadium, surrounded by natural beauty and gaudy tourist meccas in equal measure. SPORTS:Five-star forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield commits to Tennessee basketball. For those within the confines of Smokies Park, 18 suites satisfy the desires of all who wish to watch the game from "up above." Each 300-square-foot suite holds 20 people and has a balcony with a dozen stadium-style seats. TICKETS: Single game tickets and group tickets for upcoming games at Smokies Stadium can be purchased in the following ways: online at smokiesbaseball.com, over the phone at (865) 286-2300, or in person at the Box Office. The facility would also host Knoxville's nascent soccer team, concerts and other public events. This will result in street closures. Or need a fun place to host a birthday party? There is a very nice fan shop with a good selection of Smokies and Cubs gear as well. Zachary has carried the legislation in the House and has been a part of the continued negotiations. The Boomstick -- a footlong Swaggerty-brand sausage topped with beer cheese, peppers and onions -- can be obtained there, as well as the sweet and savory concoction that is a Krispy Kreme Slider. However, the team sent out a statement in April saying the deadline was tightbecause of a "volatile construction market." This new. FIRST AID: First aid is available at Smokies Stadium. Tennessee Tech beat Tennessee 3-2. SEATS: There are 6,182 seats. We donate tickets or merchandise to as many of these organizations as possible. Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) owner Randy Boyd is going public with his plan for a $142-million mixed-use development in Knoxville's Old City area, anchored by a new ballpark. We want all of our fans to have extreme fun at our games! USHERS: Ushers are stationed at the top of most sections. The Smokies have been a Cubs affiliate since 2007, following two years with the Diamondbacks and two with the Cardinals. Copper Cellar Clubhouse (first base) and Davey Crockett Porch (third base), each porch measures 33 feet deep by 28 feet wide (about 900 square feet) and has stadium seating for 26 people with 11 elevated patio chairs placed directly behind the two rows of regular seats. A giant chicken crosses the outfield, pursued by a horde of screaming children who, despite their best efforts, are never able to catch up. If the compromise proceeds, the city and county get the financing they need and the state avoids having to create a tax district that collects money from sales outside the stadium complex, a move state officials were leery of, said state Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, and state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, R-Knoxville. If the city or county fails to pass a financing plan later this year and the deal falls through, Boyd has said he would just build something else on the property he purchased for $6 million in 2016. Benjamin Hill, who covers the business and culture of Minor League Baseball, has visited 182 Minor League ballparks. DONATIONS: The Smokies receive hundreds of requests each year for charitable organization events. Three flag poles are erected behind the waterfall portion of the nature scene. 3,913 talking about this. YEE-HAW AT THE YARD: Yee-Haw at the Yard is one of the most enjoyable areas to catch a Smokies game. Go straight through the traffic intersection when you approach the I-40 exits. The project to bring a new Tennessee Smokies baseball stadium to the Old City in Knoxville took two big steps forward. DIETARY NEEDS: Click here for the special dietary options available at Smokies Stadium. Single-A: Myrtle Beach PelicansHigh-A: South Bend CubsDouble-A: Tennessee SmokiesTriple-A: Iowa Cubs. The nine-story condo building previously was priced at $45 million. Smokies owner Randy Boyd releases renderings for stadium in downtown Smokies baseball is a staple for many around the Knoxville area ask anyone in the park and it isnt their first time at Smokies Stadium. There are also multiple Dippin Dots carts located on the concourse. Welcome to Smokies Stadium, surrounded by natural beauty and gaudy tourist meccas in equal measure. The porches are open-air but covered by the stadium's roof. Do you want to get away from it all, or be right in the thick of it? Downtown Sevierville offers a respite from the sensory overload, with standouts such as Graze Burgers and, more upscale, The Appalachian. Kincannon and Jacobs have been publicly supportive of the project, and both said they support the new change. We are working on the issues. RAINOUT POLICY: In the event that 4 innings of the game are not played, the ticket may be exchanged anytime at the ticket office for an available ticket for any 2023 regular season game. "We'd like to get that behind us before we have a formal groundbreaking," he said. Boyd's development team also is planning to construct a condo building just outside the stadium. This first base-side area was where fans lined up for Ryne Sandberg's autograph when he managed the Smokies in 2009. The Asheville Tourists, Hickory Crawdads, Charlotte Knights, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and many more await. ZIPPIDY DO DA: Woohoo! It will completely transform a community.. Its a fair assessment to say around 2,000 to 3,000 fans regularly attend each game, with Friday and Saturday nights seeing upper 4,000-5,000. An abundance of ballpark staples can be obtained at the large Prospects Corner stand, but true gourmands will want to seek out a small standalone cart set up on the concourse behind home plate. COLLECTORS CORNER: The Collectors Corner has everything you can think of when it comes to collectible trading cards! Smokies Stadium, which replaced Knoxville's Bill Meyer Stadium, opened in 2000. From there, things get a little confusing. As part of the multiuse stadium project, a nine-story condo building with 42 units has been announced and will be named after Beauford Delaney, a Black modernist painter and Knoxville native. Inside the park there is an abundance of wildlife, waterfalls and, of course, mountains. . Downtown Knoxville:Five storylines to watch, from stadium land grabs to rising rent, Downtown mailbag:Planes grounded at Island Home; Gay Street bar returning. PARKING: The cost of parking is $5 per vehicle. During the game, make sure to be in your seat for the Smokies' between-inning Chicken Run. The organization veers between the South and the Midwest, with teams in South Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee and Iowa. The jerseys are player worn and autographed. The stadium is expected to be open in time for the 2025 baseball season, though officials have not ruled out that it may be ready to host other events by 2024. Address: 3540 Line Drive, Kodak, TN 37764. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. The amendment also shows the states commitment to the project and its commitment to helping our area create jobs and further build the community.. International Rules . To purchase wheelchair seating, please call the ticket office at (865) 286-2300. Visit Smokies Stadium, home of the Tennessee Smokies | Tampa Bay Rays - MLB Within the park, quality is an understatement. Over-the-top dining experiences include the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud and Dolly Parton's Stampede. Homers Playland features bounce houses and other fun activities. Guests may bring lost or found items to the Advanced Auto Fan Assistance Booth or call (865) 286-2300 in an effort to locate missing items. Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg: Head north on Winfield Dunn Parkway. ELEVATOR: The elevator inside Smokies Stadium is located behind Section 109. Watch some of the top prospects in the Cubs' organization, wolf down a Boomstick and thrill to the sight of a chicken getting chased across the field. Smokies Park - Tennessee Smokies - Baseball Pilgrimages Tickets for this game will be purchased from the home club. If you own property in the TIF district, you'd be taxed with or without a TIF, so it doesn't change the payment amount. One of Knoxville's most famous attractions is coming back to the Old City in the spring of 2025. Tennessee Smokies (Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs since 2007)Established: 1972 (as the Knoxville Sox)Ballpark: Smokies Stadium (opened in 2000)League: Southern LeagueNotable Alumni: Roy Halladay, Jeff Kent, Yadier Molina, Cecil Fielder, Fred McGriff, Ballpark Guides for EVERY Minor League team . For now, the design team has a final plan and is working to produce construction documents that will reflect the changes and helpdetermine a new cost. The team has been known as the Tennessee Smokies since 2000 when the team moved to an 8,000-seat stadium in Kodak. Proposed Publicly-Owned Sports and Entertainment Stadium The organization veers between the South and the Midwest, with teams in South Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee and Iowa. Lawmakers and some of Lees cabinet members had expressed serious reservations in recent committee meetings about that approach, and hammered out the grant compromise over the weekend. The field has relatively small dimensions for a Double-A park, with centerfield being just 400 feet from home plate. Options abound from foul pole to Fowl Pole, a chicken-centric concession stand in left field. A statue of Dolly Parton, located in her hometown of Sevierville. Its been said before, but the Americas Friendliest Ballpark is a fitting slogan. There is also outfield seating and a slight hill leading up to a walkway that outlines the park. On the other side of the facility, the Bush's Best Ballpark Caf offers an array of customizable items featuring Bush's Beans (the company's headquarters are in nearby Chestnut Hill). Suite dimensions are 20' deep by 13' wide. That area is also home to the Batter's Box Bar and Grill and its cornucopia of specialty burgers. The Smokies won the intense game, 53, which included Hall of Fame manager Ryne Sandberg being ejected. Party porches bookend the suites. The nearest major airport is located in Alcoa, which is a 45 minute commute through a sometimes congested Knoxville area. This development, along with apartments planned nearby, represent at least $130 million in additional investment. The Smokies are in the greater Knoxville area, so consider visiting Knoxville. Go through the first traffic light, and the parking entrance will be directly on your right. New Knoxville ballpark receives final city approval Smokies Stadium (formerly known as Smokies Park) is a baseball stadium located in Kodak, Tennessee, just north of Sevierville and east of Knoxville, adjacent to the tourist centers of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. That same year, the team's geographical signifier was switched from Knoxville to Tennessee. All rights reserved. Because of this, that outfield hill is the perfect place to camp out for a home run ball. Tour Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina as Randy Boyd's Tennessee Smokies plan a similar stadium in downtown Knoxville, set to open in 2025. As downtown Knoxville's baseball stadium moves ahead, what can Randy Boyd's Tennessee Smokies learn? The design team is preparing construction documents, which will continue through October. The legislation requires the project to receive at least $100 million in private development. Great for your next meeting, luncheon, banquet, or party. Fans can customize their experience through a variety of delicious buffet options. Children who want to participate must report to Section 118 the top of the 6th inning. Watch some of the top prospects in the Cubs' organization, wolf down a Boomstick and thrill to the sight of a chicken getting chased across the field. Luxury Level seats: 260. BUSINESS OFFICE: Smokies Stadiums administrative office is located on-site at Smokies Stadium and is open Monday-Friday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. That same year, the team's geographical signifier was switched from Knoxville to Tennessee. When schematics showed the stadium could cost more than early estimates, Boyd committed $6 million to keep the project moving. Each 300-square-foot suite holds 20 people and has a balcony with a dozen stadium-style seats. For a free estimate please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and a Smokies representative will be with you shortly. VIDEO BOARD MESSAGES: To have a birthday or special message displayed on the video board, fans can visit the Advanced Auto Fan Assistance Booth. Each climate controlled Luxury Suite comes complete with stadium seating on a private balcony, indoor seating options, hostess service, flat screen televisions, and your choice of one of the several delicious food packages we offer. Stadium Ground Rules Compass From there, things get a little confusing. The Sports Authority approved the project and has been keeping tabs on the rising costs of materials such as steel, asphalt and aluminum, as well as shortages for materials like cement.