📍 Elizabethton, Tennessee
⚾ Home of the Elizabethton River Riders

Situated in the hills of East Tennessee, the city of Elizabethton is the archetypal small mountain town, a quaint recreational getaway with a population of less than 15,000. In spite of the community’s small size, baseball has been well-supported over the years and watching the boys compete down at Riverside Park is a favorite pastime for locals. Affiliated rookie ball was a staple in the area for almost a half-century, when Elizabethton acted as one of the first stops in the Minnesota Twins’ farm system and was an intrepid member of the beloved Appalachian League. Now a summer collegiate circuit, the Appy League action continues to play out each summer at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark, home of the Elizabethton River Riders.

NCCU Ballpark’s homey feel is thanks in part to its location, positioned just a few hundred yards from the banks of the Watauga River and nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians, which serve as a scenic backdrop beyond the outfield. Inside the gates, a large set of bleachers on the first-base side makes up a majority of the ballpark’s limited seating. Two press boxes on stilts sandwich the behind-the-plate stands – which feature the venue’s only chairback seats – while drink rails, Adirondack chairs and picnic tables provide additional spots for folks to watch the game. In all, there’s room enough for about 2,000 fans, making Elizabethton the smallest stadium in the league.

The ballpark, despite dating back to 1974, boasts plenty of modern amenities and has been very well-maintained over the last few decades. The playing surface even features a state-of-the-art turf infield and a lush, manicured grass outfield. A craft beer stand and an enriching kids play area are just a few of the great fan-facing touches, helping to make NCCU Ballpark more than just a run-of-the-mill community field.

While the Appalachian League had entries in Elizabethton on-and-off since 1937, the league wouldn’t be classified as rookie advanced until 1963. Nine years later, the Twins came to town, their inaugural season coinciding with the opening of the new stadium in Riverside Park. The club would go on to win a dozen league titles for the city over the next 46 seasons; an E-Twins mural which still adorns the clubhouse on the first-base side acts as a reminder of Elizabethton’s storied minor league past.

Following the demotion of the Appy League to the summer collegiate level in 2021, Elizabethton’s team was renamed the River Riders, a nod to the river next door and one of the region’s most popular outdoor opportunities. This brand refresh helped breathe new life into the team, league and community as a whole, ensuring that small-town ball will live on in Elizabethton and that NCCU Ballpark will continue to serve as a stepping stone for future stars for years to come.