Richmond Baseball: Scorecard

You can't tell the players without a scorecard? Heck, in Richmond you can't tell the stadium proposals without one.

An RT-D First appearing in yesterday's editions reported that a property-owner is "pitching" Manchester as a site for a new ballpark. The area has visual appeal. Fans would be able to look across the James and see Richmond's skyline, which is seen to its best advantage from the south.

The story mentioned the baseball stadium in Pittsburgh. The homefield for the Pirates boasts perhaps the most spectacular setting in the game. The park lies across the Allegheny from downtown; fans can reach the friendly confines by walking across the Roberto Clemente Bridge. The view from the stands takes in the river, numerous bridges, and Pittsburgh's skyline -- which ranks just behind New York and Chicago. Oh, and let's not forget the diamond itself. The surroundings make attendance a satisfying experience despite the fact that the Pirates threaten to break records for futility. We remember Willie Stargell.

Backers of a stadium in Shockoe Bottom recently withdrew their proposal. In May, an overflow crowd attended a

Times-Dispatch Public Square debate on baseball in the Bottom. An observer left the meeting saying, "It never will be built."

Attention has returned to The Diamond, too. Even if Central Virginia builds a new stadium far from the neighborhood, a minor-league team relocating to Richmond almost certainly will play at The Diamond for a season or two. It's possible a brand new stadium will rise along the Boulevard.

These ideas always look swell on paper. The drawings and renderings are attractive. One of these days Richmond will see a package with not only architectural plans but detailed, locked-in financing -- or at least we hope it sees such a package. If it does, professional baseball finally will have runners in scoring position.