TVA Credit Union Ballpark - Johnson City Doughboys

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86

TVA Credit Union Ballpark 111 Legion St Johnson City, TN 37601

Johnson City Doughboys website TVA Credit Union Ballpark website

Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 3,800

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Having Fun with the Doughboys

When Major League Baseball reorganized and contracted the minor leagues following the 2019 season, Johnson City, Tennessee, lost its short-season affiliate. The Johnson City Cardinals, a long-standing member of the Appalachian League, were one of the teams eliminated in the reorganization.

Professional baseball has been part of Johnson City’s identity since 1911, with teams affiliated over the years with the Yankees and Phillies. But it was the city’s long-standing relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals that left the deepest mark – for 61 seasons, Johnson City served as a Cardinals affiliate, becoming a key stepping stone for future big leaguers like Vince Coleman, Ron Guidry, LaMarr Hoyt, Yadier Molina, and Terry Pendleton on their path to the majors.

Baseball in Johnson City has been played at the same site since 1937, when the city built a wooden grandstand at Keystone Park and nicknamed it Cardinal Park when the team became affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938. In 1950, a new steel structure replaced the wooden grandstand. It carried the Cardinal Park name until the Phillies placed a farm team in town in 1957. It reverted to Cardinal Park with the return of the Redbird affiliate in 1975, later renamed Howard Johnson Field at Cardinal Park in honor of the director of Johnson City’s Park and Recreation Department in 1977. Eventually, after the naming rights were sold, it was renamed TVA Credit Union Ballpark.

Johnson City was one of 30 cities to lose its MLB affiliation after the 2020 reorganization, but the baseball void did not last long. The Appalachian League reemerged in 2021 as a collegiate summer league, with teams rebranding to better reflect their communities. Johnson City’s long-running Cardinals identity gave way to the Doughboys, a name inspired by the nearby World War I infantry statue in Veterans Plaza.

Food & Beverage   4

Two separate concession stands feature slightly different menus, but together offer a well-rounded mix of traditional ballpark fare and locally inspired options. Fans will find staples like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, and nachos with cheese sauce, alongside heartier choices like cheeseburgers and boneless wing baskets with fries. Regional choices are available as well, with items like the Bojangles Cajun Filet Sandwich and Southern Craft BBQ Nachos.

A few specialty offerings go beyond typical ballpark fare, including the Junkyard Dog (topped with chili, cheese, fries, and mustard), Firecracker Fries (drizzled with buffalo sauce and ranch), and funnel cake fries for a sweet finish.

Snack options include pretzels with cheese, chips, peanuts, and candy. Beverage choices are straightforward: bottled water, Coke products, Powerade, and local favorite Dr. Enuf, a citrusy Mountain Dew-like soda.

In addition to standard domestic and imported beers, the ballpark also offers a selection of local craft brews – options from Yee-Haw Brewing, Johnson City Brewing Company, Iron Forge, and Tennessee Hills include lagers, tart ales, and hefeweizens. For non-beer drinkers, hard seltzers and ciders like Truly and Angry Orchard are available as well.

Atmosphere   3

TVA Credit Union Ballpark is a charming throwback to small-town baseball. The covered grandstand, overhead fans, and towering outfield walls lined with local advertisements evoke a classic, nostalgic feel. A modern scoreboard also sits in left center field, though it’s mostly used for basic player information and the game’s line score.

The Doughboys lean into their military-themed branding with touches like Reveille played during big moments, adding energy to key parts of the game. In-game promotions are lighthearted and engaging, nothing groundbreaking, but also a welcome break from the tired gimmicks seen at some lower levels of baseball. The relaxed pace of summer collegiate ball contributes to a festive, easygoing atmosphere.

The stadium includes several social spaces: a VIP bar down the left-field line, yard games and high-top tables along the right-field line, and a long drink rail beside the grandstand. These areas are popular and tend to stay crowded throughout the game.

One downside of this historic stadium is that more attention was paid to functionality than convenience. For example, several roof support beams create rather significant obstructions when viewing the field.

Neighborhood   4

Johnson City is a stealthy, hip town with a vibrant arts scene, several breweries, and restaurants in its downtown area, just over a mile from TVA Credit Union Ballpark. King Commons Park is a popular gathering area where adults can grab a pint, while kids play on the nearby playground or explore the stream that runs through the green space.

W. State of Franklin Road is home to several renovated historic buildings, now housing popular stops like Burger & Barrel, Yee-Haw Brewing, and White Duck Taco, which backs up to scenic Founders Park.

The downtown area has no less than a half-dozen breweries in the few city blocks that make up the area. The city has also done a wonderful job moving into the 21st century. while keeping its 19th-century charm.

Fans   4

Johnson City is a passionate sports town, with strong support for ETSU athletics and deep roots in baseball. Before the minor league contraction, the city consistently ranked among the top draws in the Appalachian League, and that energy has not faded. Since joining the collegiate summer circuit, the Doughboys have led the league in attendance, averaging over 3,500 fans per game, more than 1,000 ahead of the next closest team.

The fans are not just enthusiastic; they understand the game. Fans cheer for savvy base running, situational hitting, and productive outs. Others are a bit more festive in their support, leaning into the Doughboys’ military identity – some even show up in replica World War I infantry helmets.

Access   4

TVA Credit Union Ballpark is easily accessible, located less than a mile off I-26, the main connector between Asheville, North Carolina, and Kingsport, Tennessee. The interstate also links up with I-81 about 15 miles north, making the stadium a convenient stop for travelers coming from eastern Tennessee or many of the eastern states.

Parking is plentiful and located just beyond the first base side of the ballpark. VIP ticket holders can use a dedicated entrance off Legion Street, providing a more direct path into the stadium.

Once inside, a wide walkway runs along the first baseline and narrows slightly as it approaches third. A low field-level concourse also wraps in front of the grandstand, stretching from first to third and offering fans a close view of the action as they walk around.

Return on Investment   5

With general admission tickets starting at $8, reserved seating at $10, and free parking, Doughboys games deliver excellent bang for your buck. Concession prices are in line with similar stadiums, and the overall experience, from the lively atmosphere to the quality of play, makes attending a game feel like money well spent.

Extras   3

A variety of inflatables are set up behind the grandstand, directly behind home plate, giving younger fans a chance to burn off some energy if they get restless during the game.

Among the biggest stars at the ballpark is Rocky, the Doughboys beloved bat dog – the black lab draws some of the loudest cheers of the night as he dashes from the dugout to retrieve bats, then sprints back, all to the roaring approval of the fans.

The team’s mascot, Private, also adds to the fun, roaming the stands throughout the game, interacting with fans, and posing for photos with anyone who asks.

Final Thoughts

Small-town baseball fosters a sense of connection and civic pride that is hard to replicate in larger markets. In Johnson City, that bond was built over decades, watching future big leaguers take their first professional steps, and rooting for the hometown team as if it were their own.

That pride did not vanish when affiliated baseball left. Though the Appalachian League now focuses on college-level talent instead of rising pros, the passion in the stands has not faded.

Even though professional baseball is no longer played in Johnson City, the excitement of the game and the surrounding atmosphere have not disappeared. While the reorganization of minor league baseball may have been a bit of a step back in the developmental chain of baseball, it has not dampened the spirit of the baseball community in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Johnson City may no longer be a stop on the road to the majors, but its love of baseball is as strong as ever.