Opening day is April 15, but the Smokies are already taking advantage of Covenant Health Park facilities. We talked to them ahead of their first practice.

He's also looking forward to having a die-hard baseball town behind him, as the Smokies move from the touristy Exit 407 in Kodak to the epicenter of Knoxville nightlife in the Old City.

Sevier County and the City of Sevierville have agreed with TORG to potentially redevelop Smokies Stadium area.