Sounding an ominous note, reps from the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Eastern League say there’s no plan to leave Richmond “at the present time,” as the team girds for what’s sure to be a contentious ballpark quest. The team will end the season leading the Class AA Eastern League in attendance, but seemingly no […]
Tag Archives | the diamond
Richmond ballpark discussion shifts back to Shockoe Bottom; Manchester in play as well
Shockoe Bottom, the controversial area near downtown Richmond once eyed as a ballpark site, is back in the running as the potential site of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark, as is the city’s industrial Manchester area. Former Mayor Doug Wilder pushed Shockoe Bottom as the site of a ballpark for […]
Thunderstorm rips through Richmond’s Diamond
Severe weather hits The Diamond, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) during a Monday matinee, causing significant damage to the outfield fence. The game between the Squirrels and the New Britain Rock Cats was called in the eighth, with the Rock Cats winning 6-2. Then came the deluge: 60-mph winds tore […]
Parney: Richmond deserves a first-class ballpark
It’s been a little quiet on the ballpark front in Richmond, but the front office of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) continues to press for a new facility. This interview with Todd “Parney” Parnell doesn’t cover much new ground; the Flying Squirrels are still working with the city on a new ballpark […]
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 […]
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 […]
Parney picks a pig in Richmond
The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) are high on the hog after unveiling the team’s new Rally Pig and the winner of the Pig Pickin’ Contest at the club’s inaugural Fan Fest today, as team Vice President and COO Todd “Parney” Parnell triumphantly hoists “Piggy 3” after chasing three of the four contests […]