The Richmond Metropolitan Authority and the Eastern League this morning will announce Richmond's new professional baseball franchise.
The Diamond, owned and operated by the RMA, will be the site of the announcement. The public is not invited.
The Class AA franchise that has been based in Norwich, Conn., is expected to relocate to Richmond for next season and play at The Diamond until Richmond's long-term stadium solution is determined. Near the top of the agenda for team operators will be meetings with area leaders to discuss possible plans for a new ballpark.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have requested that involved parties not speak publicly about the relocation until the announcement is made. Lou DiBella is expected to remain with the franchise as managing partner. Chuck Domino, who this season was president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley franchise and the Class AA Reading franchise, is expected to be in charge of operations. Also expected to be involved is former Class AA Altoona General Manager Todd Parnell.
Atlanta's Class AAA club was Richmond-based from 1966 through 2008. Atlanta moved its top farm club to Gwinnett County, Ga., primarily because of dissatisfaction with The Diamond and the lack of a firm plan to replace it.
The franchise that's been in Connecticut is contractually bound to be the Class AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants through next season. -- John O'Connor
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