📍 Johnson City, Tennessee
⚾ Home of the Johnson City Doughboys

The largest municipality in Tennessee’s Tri-Cities, Johnson City is an old railroad town that has always been full of hard-working, blue collar Americans looking for simple and relaxing entertainment. And for as long as anyone can remember, that hole has been filled by baseball, which has grown to become an integral part of life here. Going all the way back to the early 20th century, the city has been the on-and-off home of an Appalachian League team that still lives on today as the Johnson City Doughboys.

The Johnson City Soldiers were the region’s first minor league squad, beginning play in 1910 and joining the affiliated Appalachian League the following season. The team would later take on the names of its parent clubs – like the Phillies and Yankees – but for most of their history, they would be known as the Johnson City Cardinals. The Appy League, which was rookie ball from 1964 until the restructuring of the minors in 2020, was reformed into a summer collegiate league and its member teams all rebranded; Johnson City’s team was christened the Doughboys, a nickname for American soldiers during World War I.

A quaint little stadium, TVA Credit Union Ballpark debuted in 1956 and has hosted every iteration of Johnson City baseball ever since. The venue can hold around 3,800 and boasts lots of amenities despite its small size. A large picnic deck on the third base side is perfect for groups, while a hangout area on the first base side features drink rails for socializing and activities such as cornhole. There are also plenty of food options – with a Bojangles’ outpost and a smattering of food trucks – and a variety of beers on tap.

On the field, clubs from Johnson City have snagged 14 combined Appalachian League championships. The latest win, a 2023 triumph over Burlington, marks a fantastic start to the Doughboys era. Over the years, JC clubs have produced Major League stars such as Terry Pendleton, Yadier Molina, Tommy Pham and Coco Crisp.

While the Doughboys may no longer be an affiliated ballclub, much of the sport’s future talent may still pass through the humble Appalachians on their way to the big leagues, and the folks here in Johnson City will surely be here to see it all.