Closer to the Smokies

Entrance to Smokies Park, Aug-2000.

Looking in from center field an hour before game time.

The pleasant view for spectators during the game. Above the craggy hill is a campground.

• Location: Just north of I-40 exit 407, Sevierville, Tenn.
• Opened: 2000
• Home team: Tennessee Smokies, Southern League (2000-present)
• Capacity: 6,000

Rating: 3 baseballs

The first thing I noticed was the $3 parking fee. The second was the ticket prices, which were substantially higher than in most of the parks I’ve seen in this loop. The least you’ll pay for a stadium seat (and there are about 5000 of these) is $8. There are also bleachers way out the base lines for $6, and general admission for $4, which entitles one to sit on the outfield berm if one desires. Concession prices are high but not outrageous.

The park is built into a hillside, and there is a KOA campground above it (meaning the lucky campers with spots up against the park have a free view of the game from right field). Seats are all on one level, below the concourse, with the exception of the sky boxes, which cover the concourse and keep it, and a few rows of seats, in the shade. This was important for the noon game I saw.