Squirrels losing patience with stadium timetable

The president and managing general partner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Lou DiBella, maintained on Monday that his intention is for the franchise to remain a fixture in the community for years to come and added that he believes that will happen.

But the president of Minor League Baseball said the Double-A club contacted him about discussing the possible relocation of the team because of the lack of a firm plan to replace The Diamond.

"They've asked me if I would have that discussion with them, and I've told them, 'Yes I would,'" Pat O'Conner said. "They have not come back and asked for that meeting."

DiBella said he is "confident that, particularly post-election, (the stadium issue) will get resolved quickly."

Minor League Baseball, the Squirrels and the Double-A Eastern League have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on a ballpark plan. The franchise shifted from Norwich, Conn., to Richmond in September 2009. The ownership group and the league relocated with the understanding that a new ballpark would be built.

But after two Squirrels seasons, there are no plans for a new facility, and O'Conner said that from what he has heard, discussions are not going well. DiBella said his ownership group was led to believe by Richmond-area officials that "there would be a new stadium by 2013, and it's nowhere in sight at the moment."

A new stadium would cost about $50 million and take about 18 months to build. DiBella has said the Squirrels are willing to contribute a construction-cost share equal to that invested by each of the participating area jurisdictions.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the council lauded the Flying Squirrels and their 2011 season. Afterward, Jones said he had heard that the team had looked into a possible relocation.

"That's not something we want to see happen," he said. "We look forward to talking to them in the next few days."

This month, in comments about the Richmond Metropolitan Authority approving a debt-refinancing plan on the toll-road system that will allow repayment of $62.3 million to the city, Jones noted that a new ballpark is among the projects deserving the city's attention.

The Diamond opened in 1985, and its condition caused the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A franchise to move to Gwinnett County, Ga., after the 2008 season. That franchise had been in Richmond since 1966.

"I think what has happened is, obviously, the economy has had some impact," O'Conner said, referring to the lack of progress on a ballpark plan. "But I'm not sure that some of the people (in Richmond) are living up to what we anticipated to be their response to getting baseball at that level back in there.

"It's just a big disappointment because the ownership group, and especially the management team there, has just done a bang-up job. The fans deserve better. The players deserve better. Hopefully, the area can see fit to work it out."

The Squirrels led the Eastern League with an average home attendance of 6,626 in 2010. The team averaged 6,679 last season, second among EL clubs.

The Diamond is owned and operated by the RMA, which represents the city and the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. The RMA's general manager, Mike Berry, said Monday that discussions regarding a new ballpark "continue, and will continue."

Asked if there was any concern on the RMA's part that the Squirrels may relocate because of the facility situation, Berry responded, "We have no reason to believe they won't continue to be (in Richmond)."

When the franchise moved to Richmond, it agreed to a two-year lease, with three one-year options.

"I think everybody is well aware that we did not make the commitment that we did with the understanding that we would be playing at The Diamond and pouring resources into it for five or six additional years," said Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.

The Squirrels spent about $2.5 million on upgrades to The Diamond during their first two years here. No big improvements are scheduled before next season's start.

McEacharn urged Richmond-area officials to "get beyond the talking stage. ... If you're looking for reasons to delay, there are always reasons to delay."

According to the 38-page stadium use agreement, the Squirrels paid $142,500 for their first year at The Diamond and the same for their second year. Rent annually increases by $5,000 thereafter.

"I believe that there has to be some kind of equitable way for the city and the counties to compensate the Squirrels for promises that aren't being realized," DiBella said. He did not deny that he has requested adjusted lease terms.

"I never would have entered into this lease knowing that I was going to be in this stadium for five years, six years," DiBella said. "I never would have entered into this lease, because the stadium, comparably to what else exists in Minor League Baseball, is (unsatisfactory)."

O'Conner chose not to speculate on whether the Squirrels would follow up on their request and schedule a meeting to discuss possible relocation with him. To this point, "I've not gotten involved," he said. "That's a local issue that I prefer they settle locally. But when it comes to the health and well-being of the ball club, we've got to look bigger picture, longer term.

"At some point, something has got to happen with that building. I wouldn't put a timeline on it today. I don't have enough information. But am I concerned about it? Absolutely."