Professional baseball in Asheville dates back to 1897, but the beloved "Tourists" moniker was first adopted in 1915, a nod to the city's booming reputation as a scenic mountain retreat. Playing in the historic McCormick Field since 1924, the Asheville Tourists brought high-level minor league baseball to Appalachia at a time when the region was becoming a vibrant hub for passionate crowds and rising diamond talent like Todd Helton, Craig Biggio, and Willie Stargell.