KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville leaders posted a video on social media showcasing a construction update on the new downtown stadium, highlighting many features such as the home team clubhouse, luxury suite and press box.
The field will be used for the Double-A baseball team, the Tennessee Smokies, and the One Knoxville Soccer Club.
The video started by showing the state of the stadium as of June 2024, followed by many videos of construction workers focused on projects in different parts of the stadium. One shot showed the interior of what will eventually be the home team's clubhouse.
The video then zooms in to focus on a billboard in the distance that says "Future Home of Your Southern League Champions" with the Smokies Baseball logo. This shot is then followed by a clear view of the future baseball field and venue from the luxury suite.
The update then shows an exterior shot of the visitor's dugout, where the scoreboard will eventually sit and the staircase leading to the entrance of the stadium. Some more features highlighted by the update video are the owner's suite, the left field bullpen area and even the first baseline seating section.
The final location highlighted by the video is the future placement of the home plate, which has a Smokies Baseball flag firmly planted in the dirt where it will eventually go.
The field will also have devices to track, measure and record data on player performance. The Chicago Cubs, the team's major league affiliate, has already been to Knoxville to check out preparation for the devices.
The club wants to use the statistics to follow players' performance and development on measures like velocity and spin rates. Bumpas also said the versatility of the field will hopefully attract even more events to Knoxville.
The stadium is on track to open in the spring of 2025, just in time for baseball season.