A Class AA franchise has been designated for relocation to Richmond in 2010. But the Eastern League still is not ready to identify that franchise despite the league’s goal of an announcement by Aug. 1. The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball’s return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.

a closer look Coach Mike London, seen during UR’s win over Montana in the FCS championship game in December, is finding recruits earlier than normal this offseason. Thirty years ago, Mike London was a notable football prospect in Hampton. The recruiting competition that concluded with London choosing the University of Richmond didn’t begin until after he played his final game for Bethel High School.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. In a clawing, scratching kind of game, one good offensive spurt and a slew of offensive rebounds by Dayton tripped the University of Richmond. In the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament last night, the Spiders fell 69-64 before 4,333 at Boardwalk Hall. Third-seeded Dayton (26-6) outscored sixth-seeded Richmond (18-15) 6-0 during a quick burst with about 13 minutes left, and that was about all that separated these defensive-minded teams.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—A Ryan Butler steal started a University of Richmond fast break. Kevin Anderson took a couple of dribbles and whipped the ball behind his back to David Gonzalvez for a lay-up. That sequence early in the second half gave UR a 13-point lead last night over St. Bonaventure and reflected the Spiders’ advantages in their 65-49 win. Before about 1,000 at Boardwalk Hall in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, sixth-seeded Richmond (18-14) advanced behind the defense of Butler, who had five steals, and the offense of guards Anderson (22 points) and Gonzalvez (18 points).

The city manager of Norwich, Conn., said yesterday that the sale of the Class AA Connecticut Defenders franchise appears imminent. Richmond Baseball Club LC is presumed to be the buyer, and that group intends to relocate the franchise to Richmond in 2010. Representatives of Minor League Baseball and the parties involved in the deal have not publicly acknowledged the likelihood of a transaction, expected to be finalized in the next few weeks. The Connecticut Defenders—the Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants—are based in Norwich. Alan Bergren, Norwich’s city manager, said “all indications point to a sale that is in the offing.“

The city manager of Norwich, Conn., said today that the sale of the Class AA Connecticut Defenders franchise appears imminent. Richmond Baseball Club LC is presumed to be the buyer, and that group intends to relocate the franchise to Richmond in 2010. Representatives of Minor League Baseball and the parties involved in the deal have not publicly acknowledged the likelihood of a transaction, expected to be finalized in the next few weeks. The Connecticut Defenders—the Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants—are based in Norwich. Alan Bergren, Norwich’s city manager, said “all indications point to a sale that is in the offing.“

The University of Richmond won the Football Championship Subdivision title Dec. 19 and lost its defensive coordinator 48 hours later. Russ Huesman, the top defensive coach on the Spiders’ staff for five years, became the head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga, his alma mater. Mike London, Richmond’s coach, continues to seek a new defensive coordinator. Staff writer John O’Connor, who hoped to learn a thing or two about the job, was interviewed for the position yesterday by London.