Words by Trudy Haywood Saunders
Everyone knows about the major league baseball teams in Atlanta, Tampa, Houston, and Arlington, but the South is full of other, smaller cities and towns that are perfect for taking in a game or following baseball history. Teams with playful names like the Nashville Sounds, the Montgomery Biscuits, and the Rocket City Trash Pandas make it impossible not to have a good time, and you might just catch a glimpse of tomorrow’s MLB stars while you’re at it.
Beyond the ballparks, these towns offer so much more, from breathtaking outdoor scenery to culinary hot spots and vibrant arts districts. What better excuse to plan a Southern road trip than to catch a ballgame or two along the way?
Here are five Southern baseball towns that knock it out of the park and are perfect for a weekend—or longer—getaway:
Greenville, South Carolina
For well over a century, the city of Greenville, South Carolina, has served as both the cradle and, at times, the final resting place of baseball legends. Today, its minor league team, the Greenville Drive, is the pride and joy of the city.
Under the gaze of the Blue Ridge Mountains, many major and minor league careers have taken their first steps in these foothills. In 1908, Greenville’s own Joe Jackson made a name for himself at the plate for his home team, the independent semi-professional Greenville Spinners. That name was “Shoeless Joe.” So the legend goes: After a pair of cleats caused him painful blisters, Jackson famously shucked off the cleats mid-game, continuing to play the rest of it wearing only socks on his feet.
Jackson’s remarkable talent led to an illustrious career as a hitter and outfielder, ultimately playing for the Chicago White Sox until he and 7 of his teammates were banned from the sport altogether. In what’s called the “Black Sox” scandal, Jackson and his fellow White Sox players were accused of participating in a conspiracy to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series in exchange for payments from a gambling syndicate. The players were acquitted, and Jackson’s alleged involvement in the game-fixing conspiracy has been hotly contested by historians for decades. However, Jackson and his teammates were still permanently banned from professional baseball by its then-commissioner in 1921.
Jackson eventually returned to Greenville, where he and his wife opened a barbecue restaurant and, after Prohibition ended, a liquor store. The two remained in Greenville until Jackson’s death in 1951. Baseball buffs may only discover a simple plaque on the wall noting the history of the building that once housed Joe Jackson’s Liquor Store, but just down the road, a bronze statue of Jackson stands watch over Fluor Field in the heart of West End itself.
Visitors can explore more artifacts from Jackson’s life at the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library and visit other landmarks honoring Jackson’s legacy, including his grave site and the Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park. Beyond baseball, Greenville also offers plenty to enjoy, from its barbecue and international cuisine to its miles of scenic trails perfect for hiking or biking through the foothills.
What better excuse to plan a Southern road trip than to catch a ballgame or two along the way?
Durham, North Carolina
Home to the Durham Bulls, this North Carolina city has long been a favorite among baseball fans, thanks in part to the classic 1980s movie, “Bull Durham,” starring Kevin Costner. But there’s more to the city than its silver-screen fame.
Durham’s arts and food scenes are buzzing, with local favorites like chef Ricky Moore’s Saltbox Seafood Joint serving up fresh coastal fare. Visitors can also explore the city’s rich history with a stroll through the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Bennett Place State Historic Site, or historic Parrish Street, once known as “Black Wall Street,” a hub of African American entrepreneurship and innovation in the early 1900s.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Not only does St. Petersburg provide a welcome respite from the cold weather in February, but it is also a hub of spring training excitement. Fans visiting St. Pete, also known as the “Sunshine City,” can easily see American and Canadian major league baseball teams train nearby. In Clearwater, Florida, you can catch the Philadelphia Phillies, and in Tampa, Florida, you’ll find the New York Yankees, while Canada’s Toronto Blue Jays train in nearby Dunedin, Florida.
Be sure to allow plenty of time to relax on one of the area’s award-winning beaches or at Fort DeSoto Park, and don’t miss local favorites like the 26-acre St. Pete Pier or John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in nearby Madeira Beach, Florida.
Savannah, Georgia
The wildly popular Savannah Bananas have completely changed the baseball experience, trading the traditional nine innings for two-hour games with choreographed on-field antics and new rules that encourage fan participation. For example, if a fan catches a ball, it counts as an out!
Tickets are in high demand and awarded by lottery, but if you’re lucky enough to be selected to purchase one, allow some extra time to explore the waterfront city beyond the ballpark. Take a historic trolley tour, join a ghost walk through Savannah’s storied streets, or simply wander beneath the moss-draped oaks of Forsyth Park and the city’s famous tree-lined squares. When hunger strikes, indulge in Southern cuisine at The Olde Pink House or one of Savannah’s many other celebrated local restaurants.
Beyond the ballparks, these towns offer so much more, from breathtaking outdoor scenery to culinary hot spots and vibrant arts districts
Louisville, Kentucky
Known for Churchill Downs—the home of the Kentucky Derby—and as the birthplace of boxer Muhammad Ali, Louisville is no doubt a sports city. Here, baseball fans can catch a Louisville Bats game at Louisville Slugger Field. Both are named in honor of the city’s iconic Louisville Slugger baseball bats.
Before the first pitch, visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the only place where you can hold a Baseball Hall of Famer’s real, game-used bat and tour the facility where bats like it are made. And while you’re in the heart of bourbon country, leave time to explore one of the city’s many distilleries or follow the Urban Bourbon Trail before heading home.
Up for some extra innings? Keep your Southern baseball tour going with a stop in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; or Greensboro, North Carolina, to cheer on the Chattanooga Lookouts, Birmingham Barons, Winston-Salem Dash, or Greensboro Grasshoppers.
