Adding a new wrinkle to the specialty jersey trend, the Asheville Tourists (Low A; Sally League) will become the Beer City Tourists on June 2. It is fitting that the Tourists are delivering this concept, as both the team and the City of Asheville are a perfect fit for this promotion.
The growing bond between craft beer and Minor League Baseball is something that has been discussed here before, and a March edition of Promotions Watch noted the Tourists’ role in this trend. Thirsty Thursday has long been a staple at McCormick Field, while Asheville has been dubbed Beer City USA on several occasions, thanks to the 24 craft breweries in Buncombe County.
The Tourists jerseys will display the customized print “BEER CITY” across the chest and their New Era caps will have a pint glass logo with the official Asheville “A” embedded on the pint glass. These unique jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Asheville Tourists Children’s Fund which uses money to purchase shoes for needy children in Western North Carolina. The limited edition caps are currently available for purchase in the Tourists Trap Store at McCormick Field and online at www.TheTouristsTrap.com.
“The craft beer industry has generated an economic boom in this community,” said Tourists president Brian DeWine. “This one of a kind night will pay tribute to the local craft beer industry while also benefiting the Asheville Tourists Children’s Fund.”
McCormick Field is the home of the Original Thirsty Thursday, with the term first used by the Tourists in 1983 and trademarked with the US Patent and Trademark Office in 1995 by the team.