Finch Field – High Point-Thomasville HiToms

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57

Finch Field 7003 Ball Park Rd. Thomasville, NC 27360

Thomasville HiToms website

Finch Field website

Year Opened: 1935

Capacity: 2,000

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No Doubting Thomas

Baseball has been played at Finch Field in Thomasville, North Carolina since 1937, when it was home to the Thomasville Chair Makers of what was then the North Carolina State League. It hosted affiliated minor league ball under many names over the years, before the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms (with a hyphen in the nickname) moved away in 1969.

Baseball finally returned 30 years later, when the High Point-Thomasville HiToms (no hyphen in the nickname) joined the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league in the southeast. In the intervening years, Finch Field underwent some renovations, as the grandstand burned to the ground in 1982 and was rebuilt, but the stadium still exists today much as it did then.

The HiToms have produced several players who have gone on to play in the big leagues, including Todd Wellemeyer and Zach Gelof.

Food & Beverage 4

There are two concession stands at Finch Field. One stand is located behind the seating bowl and sells hot dogs and nachos in addition to ice cream, popcorn, Snow-cones, candy, and peanuts. Soda and bottled water are also available at this stand. The prices are quite reasonable with nothing being more than a few dollars, but the selection is limited, and, other than the ice cream, which was rich and creamy, the food is not the best quality.

There is a second stand in left field that serves much better burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches. Prices here are a bit higher than the home plate stand, but a cheeseburger with fries will cost $10, or an extra 50 cents if you want the TomKat Burger with special sauce. This stand takes longer since everything is made to order, but there is a picnic area with tables and chairs you can watch the game from while you wait, or you can just stand along the fence. Still, we recommend ordering from this stand before the game starts if possible.

Atmosphere 4

Finch Field is a historic, classic ballpark that is a throwback to the days of yore. There is still an old-fashioned, manual scoreboard in left-centerfield although it is no longer used. Instead, there is a small digital scoreboard to its left. The grandstand at Finch Field is located behind home plate and is partially covered by a slanted roof. The first few rows are chairbacks which are technically reserved, although this is not always enforced, while the remainder of the seats are bleachers that are general admission.

The HiToms have several contests on the field in between innings, including classics such as the dizzy bat race as well as children racing down the foul line on hopping balls. The in-stadium host will call kids down to the HiToms dugout to come onto the field like he is the announcer on The Price is Right telling people to come on down because they are the next contestant.

Neighborhood 3

The park itself is just off the business loop of Interstate 85 near where it meets North Carolina Route 68, US Route 70, and US Route 29. There is not much to do in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark, but if you head south on Route 68 a bit, you will find a part of town with several local businesses. Rosa Mae's Cafe serves homestyle comfort food, and there are several Mexican restaurants including Tortilleria El Tio. There isn't a lot going on in Thomasville, but you should find something to do.

Fans 3

The HiToms will almost never sell out a home game, but they do draw a loyal group of fans from the Thomasville community. They partner with local schools to bring children to the game, and many of them keep coming back for more afterwards. Expect a couple hundred fans in attendance for a typical game, which won't fill even the small grandstand, but will bring some energy to the game on a warm summer night.

Access 2

There are several roads to Finch Field, including the I-85 business loop, US 29, US 70, and NC 68. However, once you get near the ballpark, where to go is tricky. There is a sign for the entrance, but you then may need to make several more turns after that. Parking is in a gravel and grass lot, and part of it is within foul ball territory so be careful.

Confusingly, there is a portion where you have to drive through a gate that looks like it may be the gate to the stadium. It is not, it is the gate to the parking lot, and you can drive through it to go park. The gates to the stadium are built into a brick facade and will be obvious, though there is a fancier gate in left field that bizarrely remains locked.

The restrooms inside the stadium are behind home plate. They are sufficient for the crowds but the toilets had not been cleaned well when we visited, and had what appeared to be dead bugs on the inside of the bowl.

Return on Investment 5

Tickets to HiToms games are $7 for general admission bleacher seating or $8 for chairbacks, although when we visited nobody was checking to make sure people were sitting in the appropriate seats so you could probably get away with buying the $7 seats and sitting in a chairback. Many fans appeared to be doing just that.

Concessions are reasonable priced and parking is free.

This makes a HiToms game an outstanding value.

Extras 4

Volunteers roam the stands and the concourse selling tickets for a 50-50 raffle for the chance for fans to win a prize.

There is a small team store behind home plate selling HiToms gear starting as low as $10.

The picnic table seating in left field is worth an extra star here for providing a unique vantage point to watch a game.

Look for the banners behind home plate honoring the HiToms' championships, both in the Coastal Plain League and in the days of affiliated ball.

Final Thoughts

Finch Field is a historic baseball stadium that is still going strong. The High Point-Thomasville HiToms manage to put on a great fan experience while still having that community feel. Baseball fans in North Carolina will definitely want to spend a summer night watching baseball at this fine old ballpark.