The Appalachian League is a collegiate summer baseball league that operates in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Designed for rising freshmen and sophomores using wood bats, its season runs from June to August. The league is part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline.
Kingsport is a city in Sullivan and Hawkins counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Most of the city is in Sullivan County, and the city is the largest in both counties, but is not the county seat of either. As of the 2020 census its population was 55,442.
The Bluefield Blue Jays were a minor league baseball team of the Rookie Appalachian League representing the twin cities of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Bluefield, Virginia. The team played their home games at Bowen Field at Peters Park, a historic stadium in Bluefield's city park. The park, which straddles the West Virginia–Virginia state line, was operated by the West Virginia city; however, Bowen Field lies entirely within Virginia.
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in Sevier County, Tennessee. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Smokies Stadium, the team's ballpark is located in Kodak, directly off Interstate 40 at Exit 407, and seats up to 8,000 fans. The team was based in Knoxville and called the Knoxville Smokies among other names for many years before moving to Kodak and changing its name prior to the 2000 season. The team's nickname refers to the Great Smoky Mountains mountain range which permeates the region; mountains in the chain are often clouded in a hazy mist that may appear as smoke rising from the forest. The team plans to move into a new facility in Knoxville beginning in the 2025 season.
The Kingsport Mets were a Minor League Baseball team of the Appalachian League from 1921 to 2020. They were located in Kingsport, Tennessee, and were last named for the team's major league affiliate, the New York Mets. The team played its home games at Hunter Wright Stadium which opened in 1995. The Mets previously played at Dobyns-Bennett High School. In 1983, while Dobyns-Bennett's field was being renovated, the team temporarily moved to Sarasota, Florida, and played in the Gulf Coast League as the Gulf Coast League Mets.
The Burlington Royals were a minor league baseball team in Burlington, North Carolina, United States. They were a Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League. The team was affiliated with the Cleveland Indians from 1986 to 2006 as the Burlington Indians. They were known as the Royals during an affiliation with the Kansas City Royals from 2007 to 2020. The Royals played their home games at Burlington Athletic Stadium. Opened in 1960, Burlington Athletic Stadium held 3,500 fans.
The Elizabethton Twins were a Minor League Baseball team of the Appalachian League and a Rookie-level affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They were located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and were named for their major league affiliate. The team played its home games at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark, which opened in 1974.
The Greeneville Astros were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Rookie-level Appalachian League from 2004 to 2017. They represented the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, though Pioneer Park, their home stadium, was located in nearby Tusculum on the campus of Tusculum College. They were named for their Major League Baseball affiliate, the Houston Astros.
Hunter Wright Stadium is a baseball park in Kingsport, Tennessee, named for the popular multi-term former mayor. It is the home field of Kingsport Axmen of the summer collegiate Appalachian League. It was previously home to the Kingsport Mets, a Rookie-level Minor League Baseball affiliate of the New York Mets of the Appalachian League from 1995 to 2020. Built in 1995, it seats 2,500 people.
The Johnson City Cardinals were a Minor League Baseball team based in Johnson City, Tennessee. The team was affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization from 1975 through 2020 and played in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. The team won 10 league championships, most recently in 2019. They played their home games at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. Before 1975, the team operated under several other names and affiliations.
The Elizabethton Phils were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1937 to 1942 and 1945 to 1951. They were located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and played their home games at Cherokee Park.
The Newport Canners were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1937 to 1942 and the Mountain States League from 1948 to 1950. The were located in Newport, Tennessee, and played their home games at City Memorial Park. The team's games were temporarily transferred to Maryville, Tennessee, for approximately two weeks late in the 1940 season.
The Greeneville Burley Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1921 to 1925 and 1938 to 1942. They were located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and played their home games at Greeneville City Park in their second run and at an unknown ballpark in their first stretch.
The Erwin Cubs were a Minor League Baseball team that played in the Class D Appalachian League from 1943 to 1944. They were located in Erwin, Tennessee, and played their home games at Gentry Stadium. Known as the Erwin Aces in 1943, they became the Erwin Cubs in 1944 borrowing the moniker from the Chicago Cubs, with whom they were affiliated in both seasons. The Aces won the 1943 Appalachian League playoff championship.
The Greeneville Reds were a Minor League Baseball team of the Rookie-level Appalachian League. They represented the town of Greeneville, Tennessee, though Pioneer Park, their home stadium, was located in the nearby city of Tusculum on the campus of Tusculum College. They were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Greeneville Reds replaced the Greeneville Astros (2004–2017) as the city's entry in the league.
The Bristol State Liners are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Bristol, Virginia. It is a member of the Appalachian League, a collegiate summer league that operates in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. The team is operated by a non-profit organization, Bristol Baseball, Incorporated (BBI). BBI had no full-time paid staff, instead relying on a volunteer board and general manager to keep and promote professional baseball in Bristol.
The Johnson City Doughboys are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and play their home games at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
The Elizabethton River Riders are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and play their home games at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark.
The Greeneville Flyboys are a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League. They are located in Greeneville, Tennessee, and play their home games at Pioneer Park.
Gavin James Cross is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Kansas City Royals organization. He played college baseball for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
