Folks living or vacationing in Sevier County can root, root, root for the home team each summer when the Tennessee Smokies baseball club takes the field. This Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs plays half of its seventy-game Southern League schedule at Smokies Park, located at Exit 407 off Interstate 40 in Sevierville.

In 2009, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ryne Sandberg, who spent most of his 16-year career as second basemen for the Cubs, took over as the team manager. Having such a high-profile name associated with the club immediately translated into more interest in the Smokies than ever and more fans in seats on game nights.

But it’s the ballpark experience itself—what the Tennessee Smokies organization likes to call “a nine-inning vacation”—that has generated a growing fan base since the team moved to Sevierville in 2000.

The stadium offers 6,000 fixed seats with room for another 2,000 on the grass berm in the outfield. Eighteen luxury boxes allow corporate groups or those celebrating special events to watch the game in style. There’s a kids’ play area in right field corner, and the Double Play Café offers a buffet spread on game days. Of course, the concession areas on the main concourse are stocked full of all the baseball-park staples—everything from peanuts, popcorn and pizza to funnel cakes, hot dogs and barbecue nachos.

The Smokies organization always spices up each home game with special activities too, including post-game fireworks on Fridays, giveaway Saturdays and kids-eat-free Thursdays. Each game also offers lots of entertainment before, during and after the baseball action. Musical acts, mascot appearances, giveaways, on-field contests between fans and other promotions round out the fun.

Other Sevier County Attractions