Bottom Ballpark?

Baseball season is in full swing -- but not in Richmond.

For the first time in more than four decades, Virginia's capital city does not have a professional baseball team, and the debate about what to do about it continues. Progress, so far, has been slow.

The Diamond is quiet. Some would like to see it revived as home to a minor league team. The city is reviewing a plan to build a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom as part of larger project that would include hotels, offices, restaurants, and living space. Its supporters believe tax revenue from the development can pay for the new stadium. Critics are skeptical.

A local group led by Bryan Bostic is close to buying an AA team in the Eastern League and moving it to Richmond. The group wants the team ultimately to play in the Bottom.

The Braves left Richmond -- at least in part -- because the region couldn't put together a plan to keep them here.

If baseball is going to return to the Richmond area, the region will have to unite behind a plan. The proposal to build in the Bottom is the leading contender. But is Shockoe Bottom the best place to build a ballpark?

The Times-Dispatch will address that issue at its 24th Public Square tonight at 7 p.m. We invite fans of baseball, Richmond, and civil conversation to the paper's downtown offices at 300 East Franklin Street. The discussion also will be streamed live online at timesdispatch.com, keyword: Public Square. For the first 30 minutes, supporters and opponents of a Shockoe Bottom ballpark will make their case. For the final hour, we will -- in the best tradition of the Public Square -- turn the microphones over to the audience for questions and comments.

It's time to move this extra-innings debate forward.