First, make The Diamond swing. Then consider a long-term solution to Richmond's ballpark situation.
Those who attended yesterday's Kiwanis Club of Richmond luncheon at the Virginia Historical Society received that pitch from Todd Parnell, the vice president and COO of the Flying Squirrels, Richmond's new Double-A baseball franchise.
"We're committed to making The Diamond the place where more people come to than any other place in the Eastern League," Parnell said. "And then, everything else will happen from there.
"I want to put as many rear ends in the seats as we possibly can, and that's what we're focused on doing."
The Flying Squirrels are investing about $1.5 million improvements to The Diamond, whose condition drove the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A franchise from Richmond following the 2008 season. A community decision on whether to build a new ballpark will depend partly on what the Flying Squirrels offer, Parnell suggested during his high-energy presentation of about 30 minutes.
"You've got to yell when it's time for me stop," Parnell told his audience. "I should have been a preacher, but there are certain things that got in the way of that."
Entertainment at The Diamond will start not with the first pitch, but when fans "drive into the parking lot," Parnell promised. "There are a few things as a consumer, just like you, that really get to me. It's parking, friendliness, pricing, friendliness, pricing and friendliness."
The last four digits of the Flying Squirrels' telephone number spell F-U-N-N. "We're so much fun we needed to add another N," Parnell said.
The Flying Squirrels will have a minimum of 10 fireworks nights a year, according to Parnell, who's been in the minor-league baseball business for 21 years. The R-Braves usually put on two fireworks shows per season. Each Richmond player will have a community-service requirement that may involve a reading program or some other activity related to Richmond's youth.
"Our philosophy is we start at 'yes,' and go backwards. We don't start at 'no,'" Parnell said. "We really want to do everything people ask us to do, or at least will attempt to do it
