09-04-2025
‘Big League' Knoxville Smokies prepare for Opening Day at new stadium
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — With just one week left until Opening Day at Covenant Health Park, officials are putting the final touches on the $114-million project and honoring the city's baseball history before fans enter through the gates.
The Knoxville Smokies will take the field on April 15 for their home opener. Boyd Sports Vice President Jeremy Boler told 6 News this week is all about the final details.
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'Punch list items, a little electrical work here and there. Our food and beverage department is stocking coolers right now, getting all the beer carts and concession items all in. Food deliveries are everyday now,' said Boler.
Stadium workers from concessions to ticketing have been at the park all week preparing.
'We've hired a lot of new staff, but we also have returning staff from Smokies Stadium, and this is a new ballpark with new technology, so teaching them every little bit about what goes on here is really important before having our first game,' said Aris Theofanopoulos, assistant general manager of marketing and entertainment.
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The park also unveiled seven new statues Tuesday in Giant's Landing outside the stadium. The statues represent the Smokies, the Knoxville Giants who played in the Negro Southern League and the first little league baseball program for black children in Knoxville before integration.
As the team looks back at the history of baseball in Knoxville, they're also looking ahead to the future.
'We have a time capsule that was recently buried, so we're going to have a plaque that's installed right there in the ground in the concrete so everyone can take a look at when it was buried and when the projected date is to open,' Theofanopoulos said.
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No one is more prepared for Opening Day however, than the players.
'The number one slogan they keep saying is 'big league,' so they're really enjoying the ball park and the amenities they have downstairs in the club house in their lounge, and honestly they are really excited to open this park next Tuesday,' Boler said.
The first pitch will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 15. The game will be broadcasted live on WATE 6.
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