The ownership structure is a blessing and a curse. Although each team is operated by local management groups that seek to profit from ticket sales and concessions, the setup places less pressure on them to, say, force the community to build them new ballparks. As a result, two parks date back to the 1930s and two others were built in the 1950s (Stickler alert: Burlington Athletic Stadium was reassembled in Burlington in 1960. Before, it served as the Danville Bees’ home ballpark.)

On the other hand, the threat of extinction always looms. Since MLB has control of the Appy League, it’s easy enough for them to just kill it if it wants to. And several years ago, that very possibility was raised as MLB explored ways to streamline its current relationship with the minor leagues.

That would be a shame, because the league is the last living example of the minor league spirit captured in the baseball film Bull Durham. Appy League general managers still pull tarps. Promotions and between-innings contests still have a makeshift, county fair feel. Hot dogs are still dirt cheap. And with the exception of Greeneville’s relatively new Pioneer Park, each field looks and feels as if it was made to fit its surroundings instead of vice versa.

All this is why the Appalachian League is not just for baseball junkies, it’s also for people who love the charm of small mountain towns. It’s for those who enjoy people watching and good old-fashioned ballpark food. It’s for parents who simply want a place to let their kids run wild for a few hours. For me, the Appalachian League is the very definition of summer. So take your pick. I’m cataloging each Appalachian League ballpark here, with photos, to give you some ideas on where you’d like to go. I hope it helps.