Fans voted Motor Mile Field at Calfee Park the winner of the Ballpark Digest Best of the Ballparks best rookie-level ballpark in America.
Calfee photo _ Calfee Park in Pulaski is the home of the Appalachian League rookie team of the New York Yankees and was built in 1935 as a Works Progress Administration project, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Pulaski Yankees ballpark won four rounds of head-to-head competitions with other ballparks hosting rookie-level clubs in Minor League Baseball, including a decisive 72 percent to 28 percent victory over Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark (Joe O’Brien Field, Elizabethton Twins) in the final round.
“We’re very proud of our ballpark and are thrilled to be voted as the best rookie-level ballpark in America,” said Pulaski Yankees General Manager Betsy Haugh. “Calfee Park is a special place, showcasing a perfect blend of historical features and modern amenities. We’re honored baseball fans across America value our ballpark the way we do and recognize what a great home Calfee Park is for the Pulaski Yankees and Minor League Baseball.”
Enroute to winning the Best of the Ballparks title, Calfee Park and the Yankees defeated two-time defending champion TVA Credit Union Ballpark (Johnson City Cardinals) in the semifinals. Calfee Park received a bye in the first round before knocking off Hunter Wright Stadium (Kingsport Mets) and Burlington Athletic Stadium (Burlington Royals) in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Since the Shelor Automotive Group purchased Calfee Park from the Town of Pulaski in 2015, ownership has completed numerous upgrades including a renovated home team clubhouse; a new visiting team clubhouse, concession stand, press box, and souvenir store; the addition of two VIP Towers, upgrading seating, and a 35’ x 22’ JumboTron; a Bermuda grass playing field and new irrigation system; construction of new home offices for ballpark employees; and the expansion of the upper concourse. Most recently prior to the 2019 season, a three-tiered party deck and new boxes were added along the third base line, increasing the ballpark’s capacity to 3,200.
“This is the result of five years of continued improvements and support of the community,” said Calfee Park owner David Hagan. “We’re proud of this ballpark and the upgrades over past years that have helped Calfee Park meet the standards of the New York Yankees and Minor League Baseball.”
The Pulaski Yankees, currently sitting atop the Appalachian League East, have a 9-4 record at Calfee Park this season and are in the midst of a seven-game home stand. After winning the final two games to earn a series victory over the Bluefield Blue Jays, the Yankees welcome the Bristol Pirates to town Saturday evening for the start of a four-game series.
“We look forward to welcoming many more fans to the newly-crowned best rookie-level ballpark in America for the remainder of this season and beyond and thank everyone who voted for Calfee Park throughout this competition,” Haugh said.
—The Pulaski Yankees