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Tradition Runs Deep with the Asheville Tourists By Bill Ballew, Media Relations Director, Asheville Tourists No sport savors tradition more than baseball. And among Minor League Baseball teams, it would be difficult to discover a franchise featuring a greater tradition than the Class A Asheville Tourists. That tradition is evident at the top of the organization, headed by General Manager Ron McKee and Owner Woody Kern. A former batboy with the Tourists in the early 1960s, McKee recently completed his 23rd season at the helm of the team's day-to-day operations. Among full-season clubs, only Arkansas G.M. Bill Valentine has been in his current position longer than McKee. Since 1980, McKee has tripled the team's average annual attendance. Yet despite his impressive tenure, McKee holds the same philosophy he did when he first took the job. "All I try to do is treat people the best that I can," McKee said. "When they enter the ballpark, they are entering my living room. I want only the best for the fans. It's like they are in my home." McKee has increased attendance at McCormick Field to an average of more than 150,000 over the past five years with a consistent combination of selling baseball and special promotions in a family-oriented atmosphere. McKee also started the tradition of a weekly discount beverage night and coined the phrase "Thirsty Thursday" in 1980. He trademarked the phrase shortly thereafter, and continues to offer fans $1 beverages during every Thursday home game. The Tourists also have giveaway promotions on Saturdays and regular special events on Fridays. Sunday afternoon games remain a staple in the western North Carolina mountains. And while many teams try to fill their schedules with promotions on a nightly basis, McKee has a different approach for Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "I call those 'opportunity nights,'" McKee said. "Those are the games when we have the opportunity to sell the sport of baseball to fans who are interested in spending an evening at the ballpark." Tradition also is evident in the Tourists' facility. While McCormick Field was torn down after the 1991 season and rebuilt in time for the 1992 campaign, professional baseball has been played at the same location in downtown Asheville since 1924. The Tourists have been affiliated with the Colorado Rockies since 1994. The relationship has been productive, with the Rockies developing such major leaguers as Todd Helton, Jason Jennings, Juan Uribe and Juan Pierre in Asheville. "I think it's important in any business to be consistent, to allow the customer to know what he's getting and to be able to obtain it for a good value," McKee said. "That's what we have tried to do and will continue to do here as long as I have any input."