Asheville's baseball heritage

     For Ardenwoods residents, there is nothing quite like a summer evening at the ballpark cheering on their beloved Asheville Tourists. When a trip is planned, van seats are quickly reserved. The energy, sense of community and pure joy of baseball make these outings a favorite tradition for residents.

    Recently, Daniel Helm, Vice President of Sponsorships for the Tourists, visited Ardenwoods to educate residents more about the team. He brought a special guest along as well — Mr. Moon, one of the team’s beloved mascots.

Built on history

    Daniel spoke about the rich history of baseball in Asheville, which goes back more than a century. Today’s ballpark has been modernized, but its legacy remains at the heart of the experience.

    “The ballpark is now in its 130th year. We have just an incredible amount of history,” he said. “Recent renovations focused on preserving what makes the park special while improving the overall experience for fans.”

    New seating areas, expanded walkways and updated amenities have made game days more comfortable, while preserving the welcoming atmosphere, rich history and scenic views that guests enjoy.

    “There’s not a better backdrop in all of baseball,” Daniel said, describing the view of the mountains beyond the field, especially once the trees are in full foliage during the summer.

Blast from the past

    One of the highlights of Daniel’s talk was sharing lesser-known pieces of the region’s baseball history.

    In the late 1950s, when the Tourists’ league folded due to declining attendance and financial struggles, HomeTrust Park took on an entirely different role — hosting stock car races for three years.

    “We had no baseball, so we have this great stadium,” Daniel said. “What are we going to do with it? So they ran three years of NASCAR at the ballpark.”

    Construction crews recently uncovered a historical artifact from that era. While installing a new video board, they discovered an old concrete wall buried beneath the outfield. Painted on it were advertisements from those racing days, along with connections to well-known racing families.

    Drawing plenty of attention from residents, Daniel shared a surprising moment involving one of baseball’s most iconic figures.

    “There is a national media story that Babe Ruth died in Asheville,” Daniel said. In reality, Ruth had been hospitalized with a gout flare-up after a night of drinking and simply missed a game. The misunderstanding spread before accurate information could catch up, creating an unexpected chapter in Asheville’s baseball lore.

    Daniel also highlighted the ballpark’s connection to Jackie Robinson, noting the organization’s pride in that history. Today, a large number 42 stands in the outfield in honor of Robinson’s legacy.

Behind the name

    Residents also enjoyed learning how the team got its name. While Asheville is now known as a tourist destination, the origin of “Tourists” is tied to the players themselves.

    “We are called the Tourists originally, not because of all the tourists that came to town, but the original team, when they started playing there, all the players were not from Asheville,” Daniel said. “A local writer wrote that it was just a bunch of tourists playing baseball.”

    Ardenwoods is grateful to Daniel and Mr. Moon for visiting and sharing this fascinating part of local history. Don’t miss the July 29 Asheville Tourists game against the Greenville Drive, during which an Ardenwoods resident will throw out the first pitch. Play ball!

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