The Eastern League still intends to relocate one of its 12 Class AA franchises to Richmond next season despite yesterday's withdrawal of the Shockoe Center proposal and its $60 million ballpark.
"Nothing changes," said Joe McEacharn, Eastern League president. "It's more information that we continue to absorb. This does not affect our commitment to be there in 2010."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which includes the city and Henrico and Chesterfield counties, owns and operates The Diamond, and that is where the Eastern League team will play.
An RMA spokesman said the RMA would have no statement in response to yesterday's development.
McEacharn was a supporter of the Shockoe Center proposal. "These things always have highs and lows, ebbs and flows," he said. "Nothing prevents [a Shockoe Bottom ballpark plan] from coming back.
"What I'm hopeful of is that the powers that be are going to do a thorough review in a timely fashion and make a decision that's best for the city of Richmond."
The only remaining ballpark plan that's been publicly released and submitted to the city is a $28 million transformation of The Diamond, proposed June 9 by Opening Day Partners. Peter Kirk, ODP's chairman, said yesterday that he has not been contacted by city or counties' officials regarding a presentation of ODP's concept.
The Eastern League has not announced which of its franchises will relocate to Richmond, or the identity of the owner/operator. Those decisions "are going to be made in the near future," McEacharn said.
Determinations could be reached early next month, but the league is not expected to make a public statement until Minor League Baseball formally approves a relocation application and other details are resolved.
Sources said the most likely scenario is the Connecticut franchise, contractually affiliated with the San Francisco Giants through 2010, moving to Richmond. Lou DiBella, the president/managing partner of the Connecticut Defenders, would continue in that capacity for the Richmond franchise with a management team composed of executives from other Eastern League franchises.
Local investors are projected to be included in Richmond franchise ownership.
Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com.
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