The good year for Minor League Baseball attendance continues, as a total of 13,939,583 fans at ballparks through May represents a 6.3 percent increase over 2011. In total, the 136 clubs in 11 full-season leagues attracted 824,448 more fans than they did through May last year. “I am encouraged by our clubs’ attendance figures, not only in […]
Tag Archives | richmond flying squirrels
The Week That Was: April 1
No April Fools here: attendance expectations in Wilmington, indy-team comings and goings, and the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers are this week’s top stories on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. What should Wilmington expect for new-ballpark attendance? Diamond Sports walks away from North American League management Wild Things to bring new team […]
Flying Squirrels present new-ballpark prototype
During a public discussion of the future of baseball in the city, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) unveiled their concept for a new ballpark to be built next to The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels are pitching a 6,000-seat ballpark with room for 3,000 more on plenty of berm seating (something totally missing […]
Squirrels ask Richmond community for help in new-ballpark quest
The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) are asking for community input on funding a new ballpark on The Boulevard via an advocacy group, Ballpark Nutz. The group, which exists mainly as a Facebook page at the moment, was set by the Squirrels management to help move along the dialogue about a new ballpark […]
The Year That Was: 2011
It was a quirky year in baseball: a season that saw limited franchise activity, reflecting the general economic malaise in the United States. Looking back, here are the most popular stories posted on Ballpark Digest in the past year, as measured by page views. 20: It’s Truck Day!The traditional beginning to the reason happens when […]
Eastern League just a swirl of intrigue
The current hotbed of intrigue in the baseball world? The Eastern League, where Ottawa’s desire for a team and Richmond’s wishes for a new ballpark are roiling the waters. It appears as though there’s an excellent chance Minor League Baseball is returning to Ottawa for the 2013 season and beyond, as discussions between a potential […]
Richmond: Yes, we really do intend on building a new ballpark
A day after comments from Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella suggested frustration with the lack of progress on a new ballpark, Mayor Dwight C. Jones reiterated the city’s commitment to a new facility. DiBella suggested the team would look for a new home because it looked like a new ballpark […]
DiBella to Richmond: Commit to new ballpark, or we move
Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella says it’s time for the city to commit to a new ballpark; otherwise, he’ll look to move the team. UPDATED! In fact, he’s even brought up the possibility of a move with MiLB President Pat O’Conner, though he’s come short of actually seeking permission to […]
Budget issues postpone Squirrels ballpark to 2015 at earliest
The earliest a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark could open in 2015, as political and budgetary considerations will delay debate of a regional funding plan until 2012 at the earliest. The issue: some of the counties in the general Richmond area expected to contribute to the funding of a new ballpark […]
New Richmond ballpark by 2014?
Though there’s been little public discussion, progress is being made in talks between the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority over a new ballpark next to The Diamond in the city’s Boulevard district. The area has been the center of baseball in Richmond for decades; Parker Field sat at […]
Bacon, bacon, bacon at The Diamond
More news out of Richmond: the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) landed Kevin Bacon to appear at The Diamond tomorrow night during what’s sure to be a delicious promotion: Tribune to Bacon Night. “Kevin is a busy guy, so we’re thrilled that he was able to find time in his schedule to make […]
Parker Field: the past and future of Richmond baseball?
A key component in the development of a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) to replace The Diamond is in the works, as the city is looking at moving a fleet-operations maintenance facility from the Parker Field site to make way for a new facility. Parker Field opened in 1934 […]
Giants 2011 minor-league spring schedule posted
We’ve posted the spring schedule for the four San Francisco Giants farm teams: Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League), San Jose Giants (Class A; California League) and Augusta GreenJackets (Class A; Sally League). You can view the schedule here. The Giants farm teams train at the team’s […]