WOODY COLUMN: Flying Squirrels? It could have been worse

The Flying Squirrels?

Hmmm.

It will take some getting used to, but it could have been worse.

No, really, it could have.

Richmond Rhinos? Nah.

Richmond Rock Hoppers? What would the mascot have been, a frog? Who wants a frog for a mascot? A princess in search of her Prince Charming, perhaps, but no one else.

Richmond Flatheads? That's an ugly fish or a screwdriver or an indictment of the way people think. Doesn't work.

Richmond Hush Puppies? Are you kidd . . . wait, that might have worked.

Kinda like the Pups.

Imagine the merchandise possibilities. Imagine the headlines: Puppies Hush Bowie. Altoona Hushes Puppies. Hush Puppies taste victory. Hush Puppies Shoe in for Title.

Hush Puppies. The name would have grown on us.

But it is not to be.

Instead, step right up and meet your Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team.

Not Moose and Squirrel. That would be a trademark infringement.

Imagine the reaction on opening day when the public address announcer says, "Let's meet your Richmond Flying Squirrels."

The players should be warned the booing will not be about them. It's the name.

In time, "Flying Squirrels" will grow on people. In time, perhaps even the most ardent opponents of the nickname will embrace it.

Some might even strap on the squirrel tails Richmond Professional Baseball Chief Executive Manager Chuck Domino said would be available.

Squirrel tails? Really?

Will the Diamond become known as The Squirrel's Nest? The Treehouse?

Will they sell acorns instead of peanuts? Will the Flying Squirrel executives take roasted chestnuts to the winter meetings?

This is not your father's Richmond minor-league baseball operation or nickname.

In many ways, that's good. We didn't need a team called the Virginians, Rapids, Capitals or Diamonds.

And we certainly need a baseball operation that is more interested in entertaining fans than the one that left after the 2008 season.

The people who run the Flying Squirrels are different. There's nothing wrong with that, although there have been plenty of calls and e-mails to say otherwise.

Plenty more will come.

"That's OK," said Todd "Parney" Parnell, vice president of Richmond Professional Baseball. "That means people have passion.

"If we get the stadium full of people who have passion, we're going to have one of the best minor-league franchises and experiences in the country."

But Parney, so far the passion people have for "Flying Squirrels" is more along the lines of what Goldfinger and Dr. No had for James Bond than what 007 had for a martini, shaken not stirred.

"People just need to come out and see what being a minor-league baseball team means," Parnell said. "It's about fun. It's about a three-hour break from the recession and the normal problems of life.

"It's about spending time with your family and making memories for the rest of your life."

In Richmond, it's now about the Flying Squirrels.

Not what you had in mind? Get used to it.

And remember, it could have been worse.

Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444 or . Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/World_of_Woody