Here is a timeline compiled by the Herald Courier of the events during the past three years involving the Bristol State Liners team.
Feb. 7, 2023: Bristol Tennessee Councilman Mahlon Luttrell asks the Bristol Tennessee City Council to support a proposed $7 million baseball field for the State Liners and Tennessee High. A representative of Boyd Sports of Knoxville told the council it would provide up to $2 million for the project. Luttrell also said if the proposed public-private partnership doesn't proceed, it would be the last year Bristol has an Appalachian League team.
April 3, 2023: Bristol Tennessee City Council unanimously commits to spend up to $5 million for the proposed field at Whitetop Creek Park on State Route 394.
July 19, 2023: Bristol Tennessee hosts a groundbreaking ceremony at Whitetop Creek Park and unveils concept artwork of the stadium, which involves upgrading an existing softball field to MLB standards. A representative of Major League Baseball participated in the ceremony.
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July 31, 2023: Bristol State Liners play their final game at Boyce Cox Field in Bristol Virginia, which was cancelled after the first inning due to rain.
Oct. 25, 2023: Bristol Tennessee City Council commits to borrow $5 million for construction of the baseball stadium and to inform MLB of its intentions to proceed.
Feb. 7, 2024: Bristol Tennessee officials confirm the new field will not be ready by June and the State Liners consider playing at another Appalachian League site or going back to Bristol Virginia for another season.
Feb. 20, 2024: Boyd Sports confirms it will no longer be involved with the Bristol Tennessee project or the State Liners.
March 3, 2024: Bristol Tennessee submits a letter to the Tennessee General Assembly seeking $7.8 million to fund construction of its proposed baseball field
April 12, 2024: Bristol State Liners announce they will play 2024 season games at Pioneer Park in Greeneville.
Aug. 7, 2024: Bristol Tennessee City Council votes to commit to MLB to rebuild Tod Houston Field. The city would partner with Bristol Tennessee City Schools, to provide the funding, design and construction of a new field that would meet league standards.
Aug. 21, 2024: The Bristol Tennessee Board of Education approved an agreement with the city of Bristol Tennessee, committing $1.5 million to renovate Tod Houston Field.
Aug. 30, 2024: Bristol Tennessee announces a draft 15-year agreement with Boyd Sports to manage Tod Houston Field during the second half of each year. Boyd would commit $2 million and pay an annual lease fee for the State Liners to play there.
Nov. 11, 2024: State Liners announce plans to play the 2025 season at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City.
Jan. 30, 2025: Boyd Sports announces it has acquired the Bristol State Liners. In the announcement, Boyd said it and the city of Bristol, Tenn., are working on building a new stadium for the 2026 season.
March 24, 2025: Bristol Tennessee Board of Education enters into an agreement with Community Tectonics Architects for the renovations at Tod Houston Memorial Stadium.
May 6, 2025: Bristol Tennessee City Council unanimously approves an updated agreement with the school system and Boyd Sports. Stadium completion is expected by June 6, 2026.
May 16, 2025: City school officials send an email voicing concerns about the Tod Houston agreement and saying its participation hinges on access to another facility for other THS sports teams and resolving other concerns.
June 4, 2025: Bristol Tennessee City Council votes unanimously to rescind the agreement for Tod Houston Field that involved the city school system and Boyd Sports.
June 13, 2025: Bristol Tennessee City Council announces on social media it plans to move forward with Boyd Sports without the school system as a party to the agreement even though the school system has the contract with the architectural firm.
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