Richmond expected to get a Double-A team next season

The Double-A Connecticut Defenders will be allowed to relocate to Richmond even without a long-term plan for where they'll play, the president of the Eastern League said.

Minor League Baseball officials previously expressed reluctance to approving a move without firm plans for a new ballpark.

But Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said Tuesday the league and Minor League Baseball have worked jointly on the Richmond situation and together will approve the relocation after the purchase of the Defenders by Richmond Baseball Club LC for a projected $15 million.

"I do not expect the long-term stadium issue to come to a head and be resolved in time for us to include that in our process," said McEacharn, who visited Richmond this week.

RBC will close a deal to acquire the minor-league franchise any day, according to McEacharn and RBC Chairman Bryan Bostic. Bostic's group had planned to buy the Defenders this spring and on Tuesday described the deal as imminent.

Not having a long-term ballpark solution at this time "is not going to preclude us from acquiring a team and having it play in Richmond," Bostic said Tuesday. "But clearly, The Diamond is not a long-term solution. . . . This community must address the issue."

Mayor Dwight C. Jones still is reviewing a proposal for Shockoe Center, a $318 million development in Shockoe Bottom in downtown Richmond that would include a $60 million ballpark, as well as offices, hotels, restaurants and other uses.

Jones' administration expects to release by Monday a report by consultants Davenport & Co. on the financial viability of Shockoe Center. The city is spending $100,000 for the study.

Yesterday, Jones' office had no comment when asked about the possibility of a relocation being approved without a ballpark plan in place.

Jones was one of several city officials who attended but did not speak at Tuesday's spirited Public Square debate on a ballpark for the Bottom, organized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

A majority of the speakers at the Public Square, which drew a standing-room-only crowd of 230 people to The Times-Dispatch's downtown offices, criticized the idea. Some speakers cited failed projects such as the 6th Street Marketplace.

Councilman Bruce W. Tyler, who attended the debate, said he's relieved that Richmond may get a team before a decision on a new ballpark is made.

"I'm glad to hear that they have some flexibility because we may need it," he said.

Tyler said he won't vote on Shockoe Center because of a conflict of interest. His architectural firm, Baskervill, does work for Highwoods Properties, which is the master developer for Shockoe Center.

Councilman E. Martin Jewell, who attended part of Tuesday's debate, said the developers make a "pretty compelling argument" that Shockoe Center would spur development in the Bottom.

Without the project, "it would take eons to bring that whole area to its full capacity," he said.

At the same time, Jewell said the city needs to make sure the ballpark won't backfire financially on taxpayers and that the new team will garner regional support.

The Defenders, who are contractually bound to be a San Francisco Giants affiliate through next season, would relocate to The Diamond for next season. They currently play in Norwich, Conn.

Scott Poley, the vice president for legal affairs/general counsel for Minor League Baseball, said yesterday that he could not determine whether RBC's relocation application will be approved, because nothing has been filed.

Highwoods Properties has asked the Jones administration to issue a letter of intent for Shockoe Center by Aug. 1 that would allow the company to seek other commitments for the project.

"We're not going to assume anything, other than we will have a site at The Diamond," McEacharn said. "The team is going to make some necessary improvements to satisfy our player needs, satisfy their business needs, and we're comfortable with the condition of the field and the lights and whatnot.

"Again, we'll reiterate, it's not a long-term solution."

The Diamond, former home of the Triple-A Richmond Braves, is where the new Double-A team would play for at least the next two seasons, while another ballpark is built. The Diamond, built for $8 million, opened in 1985.

McEacharn said Eastern League owners are excited about the addition of Richmond, which will be the southernmost outpost in the 12-team league. In addition to the Defenders, the league includes teams in Akron, Ohio; Altoona, Pa.; Binghamton, N.Y.; Bowie, Md.; Erie, Pa.; Harrisburg, Pa.; New Britain, Conn.; Manchester, N.H.; Portland, Maine; Reading, Pa.; and Trenton, N.J.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .