Nationals president: Richmond market attractive
Published: March 31, 2009
Three preseason pitches regarding Richmond's professional-baseball situation:
Washington Nationals President Stan Kasten yesterday addressed the possibility of a down-the-road affiliation involving the Nats and Richmond:
"There's only so much I'm allowed to say, but you know historically my feelings about Richmond. I love the city, always have.
"Richmond has some issues. Obviously, they do not have a Triple Aor even a Double A-quality facility. They need to get that. They also don't have a franchise for either Double-A or Triple-A. They need to get that. If they do get those things, then it would be a very desirable place. It's a great market with great fans, and any team would be happy to be in there. And let me just say that's as far as I can go for today."
The Nats' Class AAA club is contractually bound to play in Syracuse for the next two seasons. Washington's Class AA team is contractually bound to play in Harrisburg, Pa., for the next two seasons.
Double-A: decision level
A local ownership group is soon expected to purchase a Class AA Eastern League franchise (the Connecticut Defenders), and would then apply to Minor League Baseball to relocate that franchise -- currently affiliated with the San Francisco Giants -- to Richmond in 2010. Eastern League President Joe McEacharn, on Class AA vs. Class AAA:
"When viewed in totality, [Class AA] is the most exciting, fan-friendly, highest quality of play in minor-league baseball. It is the decision level: Are you a big-league player, or are you not? It is a level where players still have that innocence and team support and want and desire to win and excel, while also the highest level of skills.
"It's a level where the players are still very accessible. For the most part, they still have not been tainted by the success, by the financial benefits of Major League Baseball. They're still hungry and they're still good teammates.
"Triple-A, with all due respect, is what is referred to as a spare-parts league. Triple-A has a number of guys who go up and down [big league to minors and back again]. They are there in case of emergency, in case something happens to a guy in the big leagues. They are frequently not long-term solutions but rather short-term solutions."
Bostic: Start planning now
Bryan Bostic, leader of the local ownership group, on the proposed $318 million Shockoe Center development that includes a $60 million ballpark, and the recession:
"The economic times we're in today, just like every other cycle -- though worse -- that we've had to go through in the past, there's a right time to be doing this. We believe the right time to be doing this drill, to have this community conversation and creating these opportunities as far as on paper, and teeing them up for the future, is right now, so that when [the economy] turns, we're hitting the ground running. We're shovel-ready, and we'll be able to get out of the gate quickly. And I can tell you from a national standpoint, we're going to look like heroes with that. People are going to say 'That city was on the ball. They were prepared for the future doing this.'"
Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Joey - the lack of marketing and general in-game entertainment was at the fault of the Braves organization. Its one of the reasons they want independent, local ownership for minor league teams - they care more about making money instead of simply breaking even with the farm team. The Big Braves just didn’t seem to care.
Squire and DDub - NASCAR is, in fact, steadily losing its fanbase that travels hundreds of miles with their RVs for each and every race. The reasons behind it are pretty obvious - its not a cheap ticket. It still draws ‘enough’ because its a pretty unique event in the area in that its a night race and happens only twice a year.
DDub, minor league baseball also had an increase in attendance again this year. As it has for the past few years.
I’ve never claimed that the activities make people care about baseball, but it attracts people to the area because they can grab something to eat or grab a drink. People who aren’t baseball fans probably won’t become baseball fans - that’s not what minor leagues are about anyway. Minor league games are about a cheap evening out with friends, its social.
squier13 - with regard to your comments about RIR. It actually doesn’t sell out every time. It didn’t this past September. Baseball actually just had one of its best seasons on record in terms of attendance last year. Of course, we are talking about MLB, which would never be in Richmond anyways. For soccer, yea it’s gained in popularity, but I’d be hard pressed to think MLS would expand in VA given the United is in DC. It would probably go to the Carolinas or Atlanta if another franchise did come to the southeast.
I think it’s curious that people believe if a baseball park is near “complementary activities” (like getting drunk at a bar in the Bottom?) people will suddenly care about baseball.
RIR sells out 112,000 seats every time there is a race and it is in a terrible slum neighborhood, nary an Irish pub-themed restaurant in sight.
The fact is that as a spectator sport, baseball loses interest every year, while auto racing, basketball, and soccer continue to gain fans. If any team deserves a new stadium, it is the Kickers. MLS is still expanding, MLB is not.
I will tell you another reason people didnt come for the playoffs. For one when they were in the Championship they played two final games on the same day they won it all in 07 and not one person that worked at the diamond announced that tickets were good for both games which I knew from the start. So I stayed for both games and people had no clue that the tickets were good for both games because no one said a word. They also needed to do a better job at marketing. Run some commercials on the local news stations. Have more promotions on tickets and concession items. They also should of had coupons more often for food and tickets and souvenirs. Richmond as a metro shows very poor efforts at marketing sports teams. Every marketing person I have ran into that does stuff for local teams I wonder how they even got a degree in marketing they were so stupid.
A new stadium should not be more than 8,000 seats if it gets built. With an average of 3-4k people showing up, it won’t look good. The only time the Diamond sold out was when it was for the 4th of July. Heck, they couldn’t even pack the place when the Braves were in the playoffs!
I dont agree with 8,000 flat I would much rather see 8500 to 9500 seats and not just 8000 flat. I know we dont draw the most amazing crowds but if 8,000 is too low for so many years than I want to see a push for more than 8,000 seats if we can generate enough people to push the demand up.
I agree with most everything here, particularly the AA vs. AAA sentiment (AA is *much* better) and putting the stadium in an area with complementary activities (like the Bottom).
However, I don’t agree that it should be upward of 11,000 seats. 8k is about right for AA as 10k is the minimum for AAA. The Diamond was a very modern stadium when it was built, but the time of the gigantor stadiums is over. Now, smaller more personal ballparks are the trend, and I’d like to see Richmond have that type of ballpark.
Frojunk I really wish we had more people living in this metro like you that has pride in this town. It seems like no one cares about this town anymore and its current events and future plans. Ive always said if you love a city that you live in you gotta keep pride in it regardless of the good the bad and the ugly. Lets get this thing built and I would like it to be bigger than just 8,000 seats. I say go big or go home!
I like the comment about hitting the ground running, and being shovel ready. Long time since we heard anyone around here talk that way. I love the idea of being tied in with the Nats, it would be great to take the train up to DC to watch the parent club every now and then. Regarding building a stadium, build it right and make it bigger than the 8,000 or so seats I hear being discussed. Think and plan BIGGER, despite the naysayers this area has grown and can support a really great stadium project - one with restaurants, pubs and bars nearby. Plan on at least 11,000 seats - let’s be more than just a minor league city. When the Diamond was built, it was the talk of all minor league baseball - a modern, 12,500 seat baseball stadium. It actually was before it’s time - but for only a very short time. Just after it was finished the new theme of building retro, non cookie-cutter stadiums took over and we were then left behind. Time to forget the past and move ahead, Richmond. While we’re at planning to be the Nat’s top farm team, let’s get all over the politicians to get the Hi-Speed train done down through River City. Then watch us take off!
One more thing: I would like to see a new stadium built anywhere. I don’t care where it goes, but it needs to be built. If we can get some regional cooperation around here, along with some private funds, we can get this thing done. Let’s NOT, however, build it on the cheap which is what the Diamond was built on. If it was built right the first time we would still have the Braves and still be playing at the Diamond.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement