RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce a two-year media partnership with Clear Channel Broadcasting - Richmond, which will make Sports Radio 910 AM the radio flagship station for Flying Squirrels baseball in their first two seasons in Richmond. Sports Radio 910 will carry all 142 regular season games, any potential post-season games and the Eastern League All-Star Game. Additionally, all games will be available via on-line streaming at SportsRadio910.com.
"Sports Radio 910 is proud to be the radio home for the exciting first two seasons of Flying Squirrels baseball, including the inaugural season in 2010," said Sports Radio 910 Program Director Michael Clifford. "We look forward to a long relationship with the Flying Squirrels and are happy to get local Richmond baseball back on the air!"
The Flying Squirrels have also announced their radio broadcast team, which will consist of Jon Laaser and Anthony Oppermann. Laaser will provide play-by-play during all 142 regular season games, while Oppermann will provide play-by-play during home games and select road games. Both voices will have a consistent presence on Flying Squirrels' broadcasts, as Oppermann will also anchor 30-minute pre and post-game shows for all game broadcasts.
"Anthony (Oppermann) and I have both come to Richmond with the goal of providing a Major League-caliber broadcast to the baseball fans in this great area," said Laaser. "We couldn't be more pleased that we have formed this partnership with Sports Radio 910, where we know we will have the opportunity to implement that broadcast, while continuing to expand the reach of Flying Squirrels Baseball."
Laaser comes to Richmond after a one-season stint as the lead broadcaster for the Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A - Tampa Bay Rays). He is reunited with Flying Squirrels' Vice President & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell, whom he worked with while calling games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Advanced-A - Atlanta Braves) in 2008 and the Altoona Curve (Double-A - Pittsburgh Pirates) in 2007. A native of Minneapolis, MN, he has also provided play-by-play for the Yakima Bears (A - Arizona Diamondbacks), St. Paul Saints (Independent) and St. Cloud River Bats (Summer Collegiate). In addition to his experience in baseball, Laaser has also served as the lead announcer for Charleston Southern University football and men's basketball, the Minnesota State High School Football/Basketball Championships and Hamline (MN) University football. His broadcasting career began in sports talk radio, with Clear Channel's KFAN in his native Minneapolis.
Oppermann also brings a wealth of experience to the Flying Squirrels radio booth, having most recently occupied the role of "Voice of the R-Phils," as the lead broadcaster for the Reading Phillies (Double-A - Philadelphia Phillies) in 2009. A native of La Grange, TX, Oppermann spent two seasons (2007, 08) as the lead broadcaster for the Potomac Nationals (Advanced-A - Washington Nationals), based in Woodbridge, VA. His baseball resume also includes time spent with the Daytona Cubs (Advanced-A - Chicago Cubs) and Round Rock Express (Double-A - Houston Astros). He rejoins Flying Squirrels' CEM Chuck Domino, whom he worked with in Reading, as well as Flying Squirrels' General Manager Bill Papierniak, whom he worked with in Daytona
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Upgrades under way at The Diamond
Lower-deck benches are gone. Concession stands have been gutted. A former restaurant is being transformed into a merchandise store.
The Diamond is undergoing unprecedented renovation.
Before the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels open their home schedule April 15, 3,200 dark green box seats will be fitted into the lower bowl, which had aluminum benches and backrests. The concession operation will be reinvented. Flying Squirrels gear will be sold from one of the largest souvenir shops in the minor leagues.
"In terms of the [fans'] experience, being able to sit in a new, individual plastic seat with a cup-holder is going to be probably the first thing that makes the most lasting impression," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
Franchise owners committed $1.5 million to renovation. The RMA contributed $75,500.
"The team with new ownership is looking to do whatever they can to make [fans] feel that this is going to be a fun place," Berry said. "There's going to be a lot of stuff going on, and they want to make this the best family experience they can make it."
No comparable upgrade took place at the 12,134-seat facility while Atlanta's Triple-A team, owned by the Atlanta Braves, played there from the ballpark's opening day in 1985 through the 2008 season. There also are improvements fans won't see. The front office has been remodeled. The home clubhouse was gutted and expanded. It will include a weight room. The press box is getting new windows.
More comfortable seats and better concessions were priorities, according to Todd Parnell, the Flying Squirrels' vice president and COO.
"People are really going to be able to have a full food and beverage experience here at The Diamond," he said. "They'll be able to see the food being prepared. They'll be able to smell it. They'll be able to enjoy the taste of it.
"There's a lot, in my opinion, that goes on with food and beverage as part of the experience a family has wherever they go. It's our plan to make sure the food and beverage experience here is a big part of coming to the game."
There is no resolution concerning Connecticut, the sculpture of the American Indian that peers out over The Boulevard, Berry said. His staff is exploring options apart from the ballpark perch for Connecticut because "I don't know that the team necessarily feels like he really fits into what they're doing," said Berry. He chose not to elaborate on what options are being considered.
The RMA and the franchise agreed to a two-year lease for use of The Diamond, with three one-year renewals possible. During the period to which the lease applies, the RMA and the franchise will explore the possibilities of a major renovation of The Diamond and a new ballpark, at that site or elsewhere.
The Diamond is undergoing unprecedented renovation.
Before the Class AA Richmond Flying Squirrels open their home schedule April 15, 3,200 dark green box seats will be fitted into the lower bowl, which had aluminum benches and backrests. The concession operation will be reinvented. Flying Squirrels gear will be sold from one of the largest souvenir shops in the minor leagues.
"In terms of the [fans'] experience, being able to sit in a new, individual plastic seat with a cup-holder is going to be probably the first thing that makes the most lasting impression," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
Franchise owners committed $1.5 million to renovation. The RMA contributed $75,500.
"The team with new ownership is looking to do whatever they can to make [fans] feel that this is going to be a fun place," Berry said. "There's going to be a lot of stuff going on, and they want to make this the best family experience they can make it."
No comparable upgrade took place at the 12,134-seat facility while Atlanta's Triple-A team, owned by the Atlanta Braves, played there from the ballpark's opening day in 1985 through the 2008 season. There also are improvements fans won't see. The front office has been remodeled. The home clubhouse was gutted and expanded. It will include a weight room. The press box is getting new windows.
More comfortable seats and better concessions were priorities, according to Todd Parnell, the Flying Squirrels' vice president and COO.
"People are really going to be able to have a full food and beverage experience here at The Diamond," he said. "They'll be able to see the food being prepared. They'll be able to smell it. They'll be able to enjoy the taste of it.
"There's a lot, in my opinion, that goes on with food and beverage as part of the experience a family has wherever they go. It's our plan to make sure the food and beverage experience here is a big part of coming to the game."
There is no resolution concerning Connecticut, the sculpture of the American Indian that peers out over The Boulevard, Berry said. His staff is exploring options apart from the ballpark perch for Connecticut because "I don't know that the team necessarily feels like he really fits into what they're doing," said Berry. He chose not to elaborate on what options are being considered.
The RMA and the franchise agreed to a two-year lease for use of The Diamond, with three one-year renewals possible. During the period to which the lease applies, the RMA and the franchise will explore the possibilities of a major renovation of The Diamond and a new ballpark, at that site or elsewhere.
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