Minor League Baseball returns to Richmond
MARK GORMUS/TIMES-DISPATCH
Tom Denlinger (left) and Clint Chamberlain of Richmond’s new professional baseball operation spread the word on The Diamond’s sign.
RELATED |
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority and the Eastern League announced today that the Class AA franchise that has been based in Norwich, Conn., since 1995 will relocate to Richmond for next season.
That franchise is contractually bound to be the San Francisco Giants' Class AA affiliate through 2010.
The club will play at The Diamond until further notice. Atlanta's Class AAA franchise relocated from Richmond to Gwinnett County, Ga., following the 2008 season due to the Braves' dissatisfaction with The Diamond and the lack of a firm plan to replace it. The RMA owns and operates The Diamond.
"Richmond deserves the best of what minor-league baseball has to offer, and that's what we're going to deliver," said Eastern League President Joe McEacharn.
"This ownership group will make a strong commitment in this community and they will be a big part of the community. Minor-league baseball is far more than entertainment. We have an obligation to make Richmond and the surrounding communities a better place. I can assure you this team will do just that."
Chuck Domino, the new chief executive manager of Richmond baseball, led a tour of The Diamond of media and government officials, pointing out where improvements have been made and will be made.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Wonderful news finally. I am a season ticket holder with the Bowie Baysox. I have often invited my family from Richmond up to see games in Bowie. They love the atmosphere and fun. My nephew could not believe how accessble the players and coachs are. They come up and shake hands with fans and give away lots of baseballs to kids. My friends and myself will make lots of road trips to Richmond. We are very happy to have Richmond in the Eastern League. To those that don’t want baseball I have no problem with. But don’t mess it up for the kids and those that do love baseball. Good luck in 2010.
The Boulevard’s continued “bad reputation” is unfounded. With the movie theater, and quite a few new restaurants, it’s improving quite a bit.
They have homes/condos opening in the area, and even further down, the boulevard gives access to Carytown, and Fan restaurants within 5 to 10 minutes from door to door.
Stop acting like The Diamond is located in BEIRUT for crissakes!
Fix it up, add some local restaurants WITHIN the park, and let it go! Dang!
RULE ONE WITH BUSINESSES! KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER! Everyone acts like Richmonders have to change to meet the demands of the baseball team, and the stadium!
If you irritate your customers, they stop utilizing your services. I don’t have to change to do business with you, I can find something ELSE to do!
So is Akron like Richmond, with the same geography? Was the subsequent growth a consequence of the ballpark, or a coincidence? I have seen several reviews from when the Akron park first opened with no indication of anything else around it. Granted this was 11 or 12 years ago, but how “soon” was this actual growth?
Here is another quote from a review of the Akron park: “Finally, hardcore baseball fanatics might find the place just a bit excessive with all its “bells and whistles”.“
The coverage so far indicates that these are really smart baseball people…and intend to put an excellent product on the field and make some stadium improvements. These clubs are made up of kids who want to make it in the “bigs,“ and play with enthusiasm. The true baseball fan will come, especially the one who wants to pass this American tradition on to his kids. I suspect those who choose not to attend due to venue know very little about the game. Take me out to the ballgame!
I have had the opportunity to attend some games in Akron, OH. They build a gorgeous stadium right in the middle of the downtown area and the restaurants and ammenities soon followed. There is a model for Richmond to follow that has already proven successful.
An ATM? That’s your idea of renovation, cmg1974? Anyway, there’s been one there for many years, next to the souvenir stand. Sheesh.
Posted by ( cmg1974 ) on September 25, 2009 at 7:20 am
I think it would be a great thing for everyone who loves baseball. I think it would be great for everyone who enjoys it. We need something like this back in our area. This would be great for the kids and the long time baseball fans. If the remodel the stadium and put in things like a ATM, Arcade, and whatever else the people suggest to make it more conventional would be great. In the future when their complete the renovations for the new team I think all of us will be pleased with the outcome.
That’s all well and fine as long as the taxpayers aren’t required to contribute extorted money to pay for it. This should be fully supported and financed by the thousands of fans wanting baseball in Richmond. If they can’t fund it then it’s not a viable endeavor to start with.
With the economy tanked and local budgets in dire straights it’s unbelievable that some would choose a sport over education, transportation and public safety to publicly fund.
Bubblegum, when people say “there’s much more going on than baseball” they don’t just mean the “noisy game rooms” (which I don’t think I’ve experienced, where did you see this?) and concerts:
They mean picnic areas, party decks, KIDS play areas (with inflatables) for young fans who just can’t sit still for 2.5 hours, grassy berms to sit on, bars in the outfield (think small tikibar with some tables, not rowdy sports bar like I know the pessimists will), and all the theme nights that get people to ballgames.
This is what Richmond has been missing out on and this is a huge reason as to why the Braves failed.
Cheap beer, beer givaways, Richmond supports events with alcohol…etc. And the recent claims Ukrops failing from lack of beer sales!
I never knew conservative Richmond was so full of ALCOHOLICS!
Seriously, of course many of the distractors are likely not going to attend games or a regular basis, not did they when the Braves were here. As long as taxpayer monies involved are not excessive to the related tax revenues the team creates I have not issue with private investment into a team. More likely to attend a baseball game than one of the two indoor football leagues coming next year.
bballfan the reason I care is because I think it would be a great thing for everyone who loves baseball. I think it would be great for everyone who enjoys it. Just because I have only been to a few games does not mean I don’t think others would not enjoy this. We need something like this back in our area. This would be great for the kids and the long time baseball fans. If the remodel the stadium and put in things like a ATM, Arcade, and whatever else the people suggest to make it more conventional would be great. In the future when their complete the renovations for the new team I think all of us will be pleased with the outcome.
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