Nationals-Richmond connection makes sense

Richmond, Va. --
In the early 1960s, Sam Cooke wrote and sang, "A Change is Gonna Come."

In 2011, a change needs to come to the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The Washington Nationals' Double-A farm team in Harrisburg needs to move to Richmond and become the Flying Squirrels.

The San Francisco Giants' Double-A team, currently playing in Richmond as the Flying Squirrels, needs to fly to Harrisburg.

This can happen because both affiliations end after this season.

It should happen because Washington needs a stronger presence in Richmond.

And Richmond baseball fans, bereft of a team to care deeply about since the abdication of the Atlanta Braves, need a reason to be seriously interested in the Nationals.

Will it happen?

"We can't talk about affiliations," Nationals President Stan Kasten said earlier this summer.

Kasten will admit Richmond has the potential to be an important market for the Nationals. And Kasten knows Richmond. He was the president of the Atlanta Braves from 1986-2003.

None of that means the deal will get done. And there's one drawback.

This makes perfect sense.

When was the last time something that made perfect sense got done?

This switch is in the best interest of baseball.

The Nationals lack identity in Harrisburg. They are in the territory of the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles.

There are no major-league teams between Richmond and Washington.

The Atlanta Braves became the favorite team of many Richmonders because it was possible to watch former R-Braves perform in Atlanta via WTBS, then the superstation.

If the Nationals donned the Flying Squirrels uniforms, fans could watch future stars such as Bryce Harper play here.

When/if Harper lands in Washington, Richmonders still could follow him. Nationals games are available almost every night on the MASN network.

And when Stephen Strasburg isn't pitching, there are more than a few empty seats at Nationals Park.

If former Richmond players were on the field for the Nationals, more Richmond fans would make the drive to Washington, even when Strasburg isn't pitching.

Please don't misunderstand. We mean no disrespect to the current Flying Squirrels or the San Francisco organization.

But San Francisco is a continent away. Giants games rarely are seen on the East Coast. It's hard to get excited about Giants prospects when they'll never be seen again -- more or less -- once they leave Richmond.

And there is one other consideration. Building a multimillion-dollar stadium to replace The Diamond will not be an easy sell.

Getting area localities, which often give new meaning to the phrase "contentious relationship," together on a stadium will be more palatable if the major-league affiliate is nearby and has a long-term commitment to Richmond.

Giants want to stay with Richmond; Squirrels make no commitment

Richmond, Va. --
The San Francisco Giants want to extend the player-development contract with the Richmond Double-A franchise, but the Flying Squirrels aren't prepared to commit at this time.

Those positions were established yesterday, when William H. Neukom, the Giants' chief executive officer, met at The Diamond with Lou DiBella, the Flying Squirrels' president and managing general partner. The player-development contract linking the Giants and the Squirrels expires at the end of this season.

"It is a long way from Richmond to [Triple-A] Fresno, [Class A] San Jose and San Francisco," Neukom said, speaking of other Giants' farm clubs. "But the most important thing to us is that we have an affiliation with a well-managed franchise in a community that -- if we play good baseball, and if we become a part of that community -- will support us.

"We will always keep our eyes open for locations, but I think it is fair to say that we think both the community of Richmond and the management and ownership of the franchise have been positive for us."

The Giants' preference would be to remain affiliated with the Richmond franchise, Neukom said. "We're not down to short strokes yet," he added, speaking of additional discussions that will take place.

DiBella said the talks he had with Neukom yesterday involved "How are we doing by you, and how are you doing by us?" He categorized the meeting as "very positive and productive. I think the Giants are very happy with what's happening here."

Washington Nationals President Stan Kasten visited The Diamond on Monday, and the Nationals' player-development contract with their Double-A affiliate, Harrisburg, also ends this season.

"I wouldn't handicap anything at all right now," DiBella said. The Giants since 2003 have been the parent club for the franchise that relocated from Connecticut to Richmond last September.

"There is an affection, and a degree of loyalty," DiBella said. "But you ultimately have to look at your business model and what's best for your success in your market. We're going to consider everything in due course."