Hitting minor league ballparks, college campuses

Asheville’s McCormick Field, from a bluff that overlooks the outfield. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune

May 11, 2017 11:45 AM PT

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When his son wants to check out Vanderbilt and Duke, a father sees a chance to make some memories at minor league ballparks along the way.

Duke University Chapel commands a prime location on the campus of the Durham, N.C., school. (Lance King / Getty Images)

A student walks on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. (Collegiate Images/Getty Images)

The breakfast tacos at Over Easy Cafe in Asheville, N.C., are superb. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

The Durham bull, featured in the movie “Bull Durham,” now sits over left field at the minor league ballpark. If a member of the home team hits it, he wins a steak. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

The hot chicken lives up to its name at Hattie B’s in Nashville. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

The writer, John Carpenter, right, and his son, Patrick, at an Asheville Tourists game. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

Mr. Moon, the Asheville Tourists’ mascot, works the crowd. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)

Two things that weren’t surprising at the minor league ballpark in Nashville: The Sounds scoreboard is guitar-shaped, and the game features Elvis impersonators. (John Carpenter / Chicago Tribune)