Lou DiBella led a group that purchased the Double-A Norwich Navigators in 2005 for about $10 million. During DiBella's five seasons as managing partner of the club renamed the Connecticut Defenders, there were only a handful of sellouts at 6,695-seat Dodd Stadium.
That's one reason DiBella said he looks forward to being at The Diamond tonight. Richmond's new Double-A franchise, relocated from Norwich and still owned by DiBella's group, will play its first home game in front of a sellout crowd. Reading, the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A team, is the opponent of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
"This is going to be a highlight of my years in minor-league baseball," said DiBella, a resident of New York City. "I'm thrilled. I'm pumped up. I can't wait to get there."
Bill Papierniak, the Squirrels' general manager, said that ticket sales for the remainder of the seven-game home-stand have been strong, with a sellout possible for Sunday's 2:05 matinee. DiBella referred to the franchise's general reception as "enthusiasm unmatched compared to anything I've ever seen in minor-league baseball."
Connecticut finished last, or next to last, among Eastern League clubs in home attendance each year that DiBella's group owned the franchise, and in 2009 was last (2,859) despite an 83-59 record.
Bleacher banners -- advertisements that cover the top nine rows of the upper deck -- and new box seats on the lower level have reduced The Diamond's capacity from 12,134 to 9,560. But the Squirrels sold out their first home game about a week after single-game tickets became available on March 15. That's a very encouraging sign of support for the new franchise, according to club management and Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
Tonight's game represents the return of professional baseball to Richmond, which was without a team last year. The Richmond Braves, Atlanta's Triple-A club, played here 1966-2008, then moved to Gwinnett County, Ga., due to dissatisfaction with The Diamond.
New ownership and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns the facility, during the off-season invested about $2 million in stadium upgrades. While the Flying Squirrels opened their season on the road with four games at Bowie and three at Altoona, work at The Diamond continued, and club operators maintained their marketing push that began Sept. 23, the day the franchise officially transferred to Richmond.
"If I had to give them a grade, it's a flat-out 'A'," McEacharn said. "They've absolutely met my expectations and probably even exceeded them."
Other members of the Squirrels' ownership group will be in attendance tonight, as will McEacharn and Tim Purpura, the executive vice president of Minor League Baseball. The Squirrels are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, who will be represented by Bobby Evans, vice president of baseball operations.
Clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s are expected. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with a 7:05 first pitch.
Showing posts with label Connecticut Defenders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Connecticut Defenders. Show all posts
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Chuck Domino, Todd Parnell are Squirrels’ Barnum and Bailey
Chuck Domino and Todd Parnell are serious about their business.
But one reason they are successful in their business is that they never take themselves too seriously.
"Even when we have a rough day, we're able to put things into perspective," Domino said. "We don't carry problems to the next day."
Parnell, sitting across the office from Domino, nodded.
"That's right," Parnell said. "We just hammer them out."
And Parnell picked up the gavel he keeps at hand and pounded it on his desk several times.
That got Parnell going on another train of thought.
"He stole my gavel yesterday," Parnell said of Domino. "So I went and got a chain saw and started it up and threatened to cut his desk in half unless he gave it back."
"He really had a chain saw in the office," Domino said.
"And it was running and there were people out there . . . " Parnell nodded toward the ticket window outside his office at The Diamond.
"And they heard the 'ying, ying, ying,' of the chain saw," Parnell said.
Ah, just another day in the front office of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, starring Domino as the chief executive manager and Parnell as vice president and chief operating officer.
The Flying Squirrels of the Class AA Eastern League call The Diamond home.
Domino and Parnell are serious about their jobs. They work tirelessly to be successful. They are best friends.
Parnell, known as Parney, has promoted the team non-stop since his arrival.
And, as you might have guessed, they do things a bit differently from most minor-league baseball executives.
"They're incredibly hard working, and they're committed to do the right thing without taking themselves too seriously," said Chuck Greenberg, the incoming owner of the Texas Rangers.
Parnell worked for Greenberg in Altoona, State College, Pa. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Greenberg knows Domino as a minor-league baseball colleague.
"They love to have fun," Greenberg said. "They love to see other people having fun, and they will go to great lengths to make that possible."
Domino, 50, and Parnell, 43, met in 1990 and soon became best friends.
"He was in my wedding," Parnell said. "His older son was the ring bearer in my wedding. Chuck was there when my kids were born.
"I was there when his second son was born. We're pretty close. We just don't act like it all the time."
Theirs is not an act, though. Their job is to make the Flying Squirrels successful. They don't control the product on the field. This year, that is the job of the San Francisco Giants.
Everything around the field, and even the field itself, is under the control of Domino and Parnell and the front office staff. And they settle for nothing less than first class.
The Diamond has undergone $2 million worth of renovations and upgrades since the franchise relocated.
That money was spent on a number of things, from new seats in the lower bowl, to an indoor air-conditioned batting cage, refurbished concession stands and a new souvenir store.
Domino, Parnell and their staff oversaw each improvement.
Parnell is employed by the Flying Squirrels and oversees day to day operations.
Domino is an independent contractor. He also oversees the Triple-A team in Lehigh Valley, Pa.
During the formative stages of the operation, Domino has been in Richmond on a weekly basis. Once the season begins, his visits will be less frequent.
"We are constantly in touch," Domino said. "Texting, e-mailing, phoning. We share the same office."
Parnell interrupted.
"No, no, no," he said. "This is my office. I allowed you to have a corner."
"Yeah," Domino said, "a corner."
"And he tells me to get on my side of the office every day," Parnell said.
Especially when Parnell is revving up a chain saw.
The two met when Domino had an opening for a sales and marketing director with the Reading Phillies. The interview went well, but Domino did not offer Parnell the job, not immediately anyway.
"Another person was recommended to me by someone I highly respected in the business," Domino said. "I interviewed him on the phone and hired him sight unseen because of the recommendation."
That man was supposed to start work on a Monday. He called Domino to let him know he was leaving Topeka, Kan., on Friday.
He never showed up. When Domino finally tracked him down, the man said he had changed his mind.
"I immediately called Parney and said if you're available, you're hired," Domino said. "He said, 'I'll be there in a minute.'"
Parnell laughed.
"I'm not good at hiding desperation," he said.
That began seven years of working side by side in Reading. In 1997, Parnell left to become general manager of the minor-league team in Kannapolis, N.C.
Soon after arriving in Kannapolis, Parnell wondered if he had made the right decision.
Parnell said as much to Domino one day in a 7 a.m. call.
"I said, 'I don't know. These people aren't listening to me. I'm trying to be like you, trying to do this, trying to do that, but these people are doing things the same old way,'" Parnell said
"He said, 'All right, dude, do this and this and this.' Nine hours later, outside my office, I hear, 'What's up you . . . ' and he called me a name we call each other that can't be put in the newspaper. He had driven nine hours to North Carolina because he was worried about me."
Soon, everyone was on board with Parnell in Kannapolis. Life was good. Parnell, his wife and two daughters lived in a house on Lake Norman.
Then, Greenberg, who had acquired the Altoona franchise, called. Domino had recommended Parnell for the general manager's job in Altoona.
Parnell took the job, even though it meant leaving Lake Norman.
When the Altoona franchise was sold, Parnell ran Greenberg's teams in State College, Pa., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Parnell was on the road almost constantly.
Then, Domino called about Richmond.
"I've been doing this for 28 years, and the seven years that were the most fun were the years we were in Reading together," Domino said.
Parnell nodded.
"I've watched the Richmond story long enough to know it's a great market," Parnell said. "But the bottom line is it was Chuck Domino who called.
"This was a chance to start a franchise from nothing with your best friend. There's not too many people who get that opportunity. We felt like it was too much to look past."
Once the deal was struck to move the Connecticut Defenders to Richmond, Domino and Parnell went to work the only way they knew how to work.
"We're a little unorthodox in how we get things done," Domino said. "But we get things done better than most in our unorthodox way."
Nothing typifies that unorthodox thinking better than the name-the-team contest.
Parnell and Domino were overcome with traditional names such as Virginians, Rapids, Ravens, Raiders and Rivermen.
When the five finalists were announced, "traditional" was nowhere among them.
The list consisted of Flying Squirrels, Hambones, Rockhoppers, Flatheads and Rhinos.
Hush Puppies was added a few days later.
What were these guys thinking?
It soon became obvious Domino and Parnell would make the decision based on the name that got the biggest reaction, positive or negative, and offered the best marketing opportunities.
The fans' votes were more a guideline than a binding agreement.
Domino and Parnell knew from experience -- have you heard of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs? -- that even if people hated the name at first, eventually they would embrace it.
"They are incredibly creative," Greenberg said. "And that comes by letting go, not taking themselves too seriously, not judging others and letting the ideas fly."
Domino and Parnell enjoy their jobs so much and have so much fun that it is easy to overlook how hard they work.
Domino has no hobbies. He rarely takes days off, let alone a vacation. Domino and Parnell begin their days by 7 a.m. and end them . . . well, some days never seem to end.
"We have an insatiable desire to succeed," Parnell said. "There's a drive that not a lot of people have, and that drive is from my mentor over there."
And Parnell nodded toward Domino.
"One thing that gets to me sometimes," Parnell said, "is that my personality is so goofy people think all there is to me is stealing gavels and starting chain saws."
And wearing an adult diaper.
"When we first started in Altoona, we wanted to show people we were going to do things differently," Greenberg said. "Parney challenged a non-profit to raise $25,000. And he told them that if they did it, he'd sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' wearing only an adult diaper.
"The non-profit came up short, but they worked really hard and did a good job. So, one night, Parney stood along the first-baseline, wearing only an adult diaper and sang. It wasn't a pretty sight, but he did it."
A few days later, Greenberg received an unusually large piece of mail. It was a photo of Parnell from that night, sent by Parnell.
"And he wrote, 'Chuck, Thanks for letting me operate the team in a first-class manner'" Greenberg said.
Domino has an almost relentless work ethic. Parnell is right there with him.
In March 1993, a huge snowstorm hit Pennsylvania. The governor told everyone to stay home unless there was an emergency.
Domino called Parnell and said he'd pick him up in 30 minutes.
"I said, 'Chuck, there's no way,'" Parnell said. "The governor told us to stay at home. He said, 'The governor doesn't have a ballgame in 30 days. We're going to work.'
"He picked me up and somehow we drove sideways to the ballpark and got to work."
How hard does Parnell work? Well, it seems as if he never stops working. He is in constant demand as a speaker. He will leave the office at the end of the day only to return at 11:30 that night and work for several more hours. And he still will be back at 7 a.m.
"Sleep seems to be the enemy of Parney," Greenberg said. "He's in the office every morning at 7. Sometimes, that's because he's never left the office from the night before. Sometimes, it means he's only been gone for a few hours.
"Parney and Chuck wouldn't know how to mail it in if you showed them. No matter is too small for their attention. To have been in the business as long as they have and to still sweat the details the way they do is a great predictor for success.
Greenberg expects nothing but success for the Flying Squirrels.
But one reason they are successful in their business is that they never take themselves too seriously.
"Even when we have a rough day, we're able to put things into perspective," Domino said. "We don't carry problems to the next day."
Parnell, sitting across the office from Domino, nodded.
"That's right," Parnell said. "We just hammer them out."
And Parnell picked up the gavel he keeps at hand and pounded it on his desk several times.
That got Parnell going on another train of thought.
"He stole my gavel yesterday," Parnell said of Domino. "So I went and got a chain saw and started it up and threatened to cut his desk in half unless he gave it back."
"He really had a chain saw in the office," Domino said.
"And it was running and there were people out there . . . " Parnell nodded toward the ticket window outside his office at The Diamond.
"And they heard the 'ying, ying, ying,' of the chain saw," Parnell said.
Ah, just another day in the front office of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, starring Domino as the chief executive manager and Parnell as vice president and chief operating officer.
The Flying Squirrels of the Class AA Eastern League call The Diamond home.
Domino and Parnell are serious about their jobs. They work tirelessly to be successful. They are best friends.
Parnell, known as Parney, has promoted the team non-stop since his arrival.
And, as you might have guessed, they do things a bit differently from most minor-league baseball executives.
"They're incredibly hard working, and they're committed to do the right thing without taking themselves too seriously," said Chuck Greenberg, the incoming owner of the Texas Rangers.
Parnell worked for Greenberg in Altoona, State College, Pa. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Greenberg knows Domino as a minor-league baseball colleague.
"They love to have fun," Greenberg said. "They love to see other people having fun, and they will go to great lengths to make that possible."
Domino, 50, and Parnell, 43, met in 1990 and soon became best friends.
"He was in my wedding," Parnell said. "His older son was the ring bearer in my wedding. Chuck was there when my kids were born.
"I was there when his second son was born. We're pretty close. We just don't act like it all the time."
Theirs is not an act, though. Their job is to make the Flying Squirrels successful. They don't control the product on the field. This year, that is the job of the San Francisco Giants.
Everything around the field, and even the field itself, is under the control of Domino and Parnell and the front office staff. And they settle for nothing less than first class.
The Diamond has undergone $2 million worth of renovations and upgrades since the franchise relocated.
That money was spent on a number of things, from new seats in the lower bowl, to an indoor air-conditioned batting cage, refurbished concession stands and a new souvenir store.
Domino, Parnell and their staff oversaw each improvement.
Parnell is employed by the Flying Squirrels and oversees day to day operations.
Domino is an independent contractor. He also oversees the Triple-A team in Lehigh Valley, Pa.
During the formative stages of the operation, Domino has been in Richmond on a weekly basis. Once the season begins, his visits will be less frequent.
"We are constantly in touch," Domino said. "Texting, e-mailing, phoning. We share the same office."
Parnell interrupted.
"No, no, no," he said. "This is my office. I allowed you to have a corner."
"Yeah," Domino said, "a corner."
"And he tells me to get on my side of the office every day," Parnell said.
Especially when Parnell is revving up a chain saw.
The two met when Domino had an opening for a sales and marketing director with the Reading Phillies. The interview went well, but Domino did not offer Parnell the job, not immediately anyway.
"Another person was recommended to me by someone I highly respected in the business," Domino said. "I interviewed him on the phone and hired him sight unseen because of the recommendation."
That man was supposed to start work on a Monday. He called Domino to let him know he was leaving Topeka, Kan., on Friday.
He never showed up. When Domino finally tracked him down, the man said he had changed his mind.
"I immediately called Parney and said if you're available, you're hired," Domino said. "He said, 'I'll be there in a minute.'"
Parnell laughed.
"I'm not good at hiding desperation," he said.
That began seven years of working side by side in Reading. In 1997, Parnell left to become general manager of the minor-league team in Kannapolis, N.C.
Soon after arriving in Kannapolis, Parnell wondered if he had made the right decision.
Parnell said as much to Domino one day in a 7 a.m. call.
"I said, 'I don't know. These people aren't listening to me. I'm trying to be like you, trying to do this, trying to do that, but these people are doing things the same old way,'" Parnell said
"He said, 'All right, dude, do this and this and this.' Nine hours later, outside my office, I hear, 'What's up you . . . ' and he called me a name we call each other that can't be put in the newspaper. He had driven nine hours to North Carolina because he was worried about me."
Soon, everyone was on board with Parnell in Kannapolis. Life was good. Parnell, his wife and two daughters lived in a house on Lake Norman.
Then, Greenberg, who had acquired the Altoona franchise, called. Domino had recommended Parnell for the general manager's job in Altoona.
Parnell took the job, even though it meant leaving Lake Norman.
When the Altoona franchise was sold, Parnell ran Greenberg's teams in State College, Pa., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. Parnell was on the road almost constantly.
Then, Domino called about Richmond.
"I've been doing this for 28 years, and the seven years that were the most fun were the years we were in Reading together," Domino said.
Parnell nodded.
"I've watched the Richmond story long enough to know it's a great market," Parnell said. "But the bottom line is it was Chuck Domino who called.
"This was a chance to start a franchise from nothing with your best friend. There's not too many people who get that opportunity. We felt like it was too much to look past."
Once the deal was struck to move the Connecticut Defenders to Richmond, Domino and Parnell went to work the only way they knew how to work.
"We're a little unorthodox in how we get things done," Domino said. "But we get things done better than most in our unorthodox way."
Nothing typifies that unorthodox thinking better than the name-the-team contest.
Parnell and Domino were overcome with traditional names such as Virginians, Rapids, Ravens, Raiders and Rivermen.
When the five finalists were announced, "traditional" was nowhere among them.
The list consisted of Flying Squirrels, Hambones, Rockhoppers, Flatheads and Rhinos.
Hush Puppies was added a few days later.
What were these guys thinking?
It soon became obvious Domino and Parnell would make the decision based on the name that got the biggest reaction, positive or negative, and offered the best marketing opportunities.
The fans' votes were more a guideline than a binding agreement.
Domino and Parnell knew from experience -- have you heard of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs? -- that even if people hated the name at first, eventually they would embrace it.
"They are incredibly creative," Greenberg said. "And that comes by letting go, not taking themselves too seriously, not judging others and letting the ideas fly."
Domino and Parnell enjoy their jobs so much and have so much fun that it is easy to overlook how hard they work.
Domino has no hobbies. He rarely takes days off, let alone a vacation. Domino and Parnell begin their days by 7 a.m. and end them . . . well, some days never seem to end.
"We have an insatiable desire to succeed," Parnell said. "There's a drive that not a lot of people have, and that drive is from my mentor over there."
And Parnell nodded toward Domino.
"One thing that gets to me sometimes," Parnell said, "is that my personality is so goofy people think all there is to me is stealing gavels and starting chain saws."
And wearing an adult diaper.
"When we first started in Altoona, we wanted to show people we were going to do things differently," Greenberg said. "Parney challenged a non-profit to raise $25,000. And he told them that if they did it, he'd sing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' wearing only an adult diaper.
"The non-profit came up short, but they worked really hard and did a good job. So, one night, Parney stood along the first-baseline, wearing only an adult diaper and sang. It wasn't a pretty sight, but he did it."
A few days later, Greenberg received an unusually large piece of mail. It was a photo of Parnell from that night, sent by Parnell.
"And he wrote, 'Chuck, Thanks for letting me operate the team in a first-class manner'" Greenberg said.
Domino has an almost relentless work ethic. Parnell is right there with him.
In March 1993, a huge snowstorm hit Pennsylvania. The governor told everyone to stay home unless there was an emergency.
Domino called Parnell and said he'd pick him up in 30 minutes.
"I said, 'Chuck, there's no way,'" Parnell said. "The governor told us to stay at home. He said, 'The governor doesn't have a ballgame in 30 days. We're going to work.'
"He picked me up and somehow we drove sideways to the ballpark and got to work."
How hard does Parnell work? Well, it seems as if he never stops working. He is in constant demand as a speaker. He will leave the office at the end of the day only to return at 11:30 that night and work for several more hours. And he still will be back at 7 a.m.
"Sleep seems to be the enemy of Parney," Greenberg said. "He's in the office every morning at 7. Sometimes, that's because he's never left the office from the night before. Sometimes, it means he's only been gone for a few hours.
"Parney and Chuck wouldn't know how to mail it in if you showed them. No matter is too small for their attention. To have been in the business as long as they have and to still sweat the details the way they do is a great predictor for success.
Greenberg expects nothing but success for the Flying Squirrels.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
New team owners promise Diamond improvements
The sign outside The Diamond still proclaims "Home of the Richmond Braves," but Richmond and its 24-year-old stadium will have a new professional baseball team beginning next spring.
After months of delays, the long-anticipated relocation of the Class AA Connecticut Defenders was announced yesterday by regional and team officials who gathered at The Diamond in front of a banner that read, "Play Ball!"
"We're here to say baseball is back," Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said.
Richmond has been without pro baseball since the Class AAA Richmond Braves moved to a new $64 million stadium in Gwinnett County, Ga., after the 2008 season.
The Atlanta Braves severed their 43-year relationship with Richmond after growing frustrated by the outdated condition of The Diamond and the lack of progress on a long-term stadium plan.
Though there's still no plan or even a timetable to get one, owners of the Defenders franchise said they're ecstatic to come to Richmond and plan to spend at least $1.5 million to upgrade The Diamond by opening day in April.
The work will include about 3,200 new flip-up seats with cup-holders in the lower level; a new video board and new windows on the corporate suites and press box; and a new team store and player amenities.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, will contribute $75,000 toward general improvements.
"For the time being, this is our home," said Lou DiBella, the team's president and managing general partner. "We're going to treat it like your home. We're going to do what's necessary to bring it up to the appropriate grade."
He and other team executives promised a clean stadium and a brand of minor-league baseball that's focused on fun for everyone. The team, which is affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, lost the Eastern League's championship series last weekend to the Akron Aeros.
The team will play at The Diamond through at least 2011 and likely longer. The RMA is expected to approve Tuesday a two-year lease that would include options for three one-year extensions.
Jones said the lease would provide a timetable for the city, the surrounding counties and the team to figure out a long-term stadium plan, either at the site of The Diamond or elsewhere.
"I think we need to do due diligence," he said. "It gives us an opportunity to step back and do this right."
Last fall, Highwoods Properties submitted to the city a proposal to build a ballpark as part of a mixed-use development in Shockoe Bottom, but that plan was withdrawn this summer. Highwoods had been working with a group of local investors who were attempting to buy the Defenders franchise.
DiBella said his ownership group is relocating to Richmond "with a long-term view," and he emphasized that a decision about a new or improved stadium would be made cooperatively by the team, local officials and the community.
"Don't focus on the lease," he urged a reporter. "We're going to make this place the best it can be."
Given the sagging economy, any talks about a new or renovated stadium will have to take a backseat to other, more-pressing local needs, Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett said.
"With the economy the way it is, we don't know how long they may have to play at The Diamond," he said. And glancing up at the massive concrete stadium, Hazelett quipped, "I think it looks fantastic."
After months of delays, the long-anticipated relocation of the Class AA Connecticut Defenders was announced yesterday by regional and team officials who gathered at The Diamond in front of a banner that read, "Play Ball!"
"We're here to say baseball is back," Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones said.
Richmond has been without pro baseball since the Class AAA Richmond Braves moved to a new $64 million stadium in Gwinnett County, Ga., after the 2008 season.
The Atlanta Braves severed their 43-year relationship with Richmond after growing frustrated by the outdated condition of The Diamond and the lack of progress on a long-term stadium plan.
Though there's still no plan or even a timetable to get one, owners of the Defenders franchise said they're ecstatic to come to Richmond and plan to spend at least $1.5 million to upgrade The Diamond by opening day in April.
The work will include about 3,200 new flip-up seats with cup-holders in the lower level; a new video board and new windows on the corporate suites and press box; and a new team store and player amenities.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, will contribute $75,000 toward general improvements.
"For the time being, this is our home," said Lou DiBella, the team's president and managing general partner. "We're going to treat it like your home. We're going to do what's necessary to bring it up to the appropriate grade."
He and other team executives promised a clean stadium and a brand of minor-league baseball that's focused on fun for everyone. The team, which is affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, lost the Eastern League's championship series last weekend to the Akron Aeros.
The team will play at The Diamond through at least 2011 and likely longer. The RMA is expected to approve Tuesday a two-year lease that would include options for three one-year extensions.
Jones said the lease would provide a timetable for the city, the surrounding counties and the team to figure out a long-term stadium plan, either at the site of The Diamond or elsewhere.
"I think we need to do due diligence," he said. "It gives us an opportunity to step back and do this right."
Last fall, Highwoods Properties submitted to the city a proposal to build a ballpark as part of a mixed-use development in Shockoe Bottom, but that plan was withdrawn this summer. Highwoods had been working with a group of local investors who were attempting to buy the Defenders franchise.
DiBella said his ownership group is relocating to Richmond "with a long-term view," and he emphasized that a decision about a new or improved stadium would be made cooperatively by the team, local officials and the community.
"Don't focus on the lease," he urged a reporter. "We're going to make this place the best it can be."
Given the sagging economy, any talks about a new or renovated stadium will have to take a backseat to other, more-pressing local needs, Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett said.
"With the economy the way it is, we don't know how long they may have to play at The Diamond," he said. And glancing up at the massive concrete stadium, Hazelett quipped, "I think it looks fantastic."
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sources say Eastern League will announce that Defenders are Richmond-bound
An announcement of which Class AA Eastern League franchise is relocating to Richmond for next season will be made a week from today, sources said. Industry insiders identified Connecticut as the franchise on the move.
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Connecticut first in division, last in EL attendance
Heading into the final weekend of minor-league baseball's regular season, Connecticut has wrapped up the Eastern League Northern Division championship. But the Defenders are last among 12 league clubs in attendance.
Connecticut, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, is the Class AA franchise expected to relocate to Richmond next season. An announcement is expected next week.
Entering this weekend's activity, the Defenders were 81-56 but averaging 2,966 fans at Dodd Stadium. The Eastern League regular season closes Monday, and playoffs begin Wednesday. Connecticut will meet either Trenton or New Britain in a best-of-five series. The Eastern League championship series also is best-of-five.
The Connecticut franchise hadn't made the playoffs since 2002, when it was affiliated with the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators. The Defenders' first-year manager is Steve Decker, a former Giants' catcher. The Connecticut franchise and the Giants have been linked since 2003 and are contractually bound through next season.
The Gwinnett Braves, the Class AAA International League affiliate that relocated from Richmond, also seems headed to the postseason, though the G-Braves hadn't clinched a spot before last night's games. Gwinnett ranks 13th among 14 IL clubs in home attendance (5,783).
Connecticut, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, is the Class AA franchise expected to relocate to Richmond next season. An announcement is expected next week.
Entering this weekend's activity, the Defenders were 81-56 but averaging 2,966 fans at Dodd Stadium. The Eastern League regular season closes Monday, and playoffs begin Wednesday. Connecticut will meet either Trenton or New Britain in a best-of-five series. The Eastern League championship series also is best-of-five.
The Connecticut franchise hadn't made the playoffs since 2002, when it was affiliated with the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators. The Defenders' first-year manager is Steve Decker, a former Giants' catcher. The Connecticut franchise and the Giants have been linked since 2003 and are contractually bound through next season.
The Gwinnett Braves, the Class AAA International League affiliate that relocated from Richmond, also seems headed to the postseason, though the G-Braves hadn't clinched a spot before last night's games. Gwinnett ranks 13th among 14 IL clubs in home attendance (5,783).
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New team for Richmond still in works
A Class AA franchise has been designated for relocation to Richmond in 2010. But the Eastern League still is not ready to identify that franchise despite the league's goal of an announcement by Aug. 1.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
It’s clear where blame belongs in Defenders debacle
In the old world, and even still today in some cultures, prearranged marriages are the norm.
Any number of parties could put the bride and groom together, cutting out the courtship all together. Often times, these unions are driven by economic forces. It usually involves a rise to power and/or the bride bringing a substantial fortune to the groom’s family.
As we’ve learned, the pre-arranged marriage between the Connecticut Defenders and Richmond Baseball LC was a joke, one that’s done damage to many layers of a community.
For months, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said securing the financial means to purchase and run the team was necessary — except that his handpicked bride didn’t include a dowry.
That’s why this “imminent” sale, as he’s called it, went on for months and months. Because he was so desperate to get his way by any means necessary, he’d trample everyone under foot, all while taking significant risk for vouching for an ownership group that has as much business buying a team as a panhandler.
After months of strong-arming Defenders owner Lou DiBella and his partners, the city and every single one of us who call Eastern Connecticut home, the poor power play by McEacharn — and ostensibly, Minor League Baseball (unless we are to believe McEacharn acted alone) — has done irreparable harm to the community.
And for what, a bonus?
This is no longer a pro- or anti-baseball issue. This is an issue of respect and decency.
It’s been a clever rouse, but because McEacharn failed to cover his bases, it is one that he can’t hide from.
He told Norwich Mayor Ben Lathrop that he was taking the team to Richmond. Never mind that it was McEacharn saying this, not the team’s ownership group. The cat got out of the bag and advertisers pulled support of the team, fans determined it’s not worth it to get behind the team, and full- and part-time staff at Dodd wonder where they are going to work next.
Maybe McEacharn didn’t see the trickle-down effect, but it’s time he stands judgment for his reckless abuse of power and trivialization of a community.
At a time when the economy is struggling, he took steps to undermine people with no sense of consequence. People like those Defenders employees who waited for any sort of official word of a sale and were left hanging like a curve ball; like the youth groups who come out in droves on Thursday mornings to hear a message of living drug-free lives; like the 70-year-old season-ticket holder who travels an hour to every game; or the usher who uses his pay to fill the gaps of Social Security; or the family of four who can’t wait for the Friday night fireworks. To us, they are our neighbors. To McEacharn, they were collateral damage.
Everyone thought this was DiBella’s idea — just as McEacharn wanted — figuring the owner was painted into a corner. God forbid this plot crumbled, DiBella would have to sell since he’d be the villain.
Lathrop called McEacharn the “facilitator.” McEacharn can no longer deny this sale doesn’t have his hands all over it.
He can’t.
Until after it was announced Thursday that the original deal was dead, DiBella hadn’t spoken with the bride-to-be in weeks, maybe months. And he hasn’t been allowed to look into moving the team. Why is that?
McEacharn is clearly an interested party, and it would behoove DiBella, his partners and the city of Norwich to challenge baseball’s anti-trust exemption. This is a clear case of collusion among McEacharn, Richmond Baseball — which knew it didn’t have the money — and Minor League Baseball.
This seems about the right time for an apology.
Or at the very least some clear answers. That would be the right thing.
But McEacharn isn’t likely to do the right thing. He hasn’t done it in months, so there’s no reason to anticipate a change now.
He promised support to bring a short-season Single-A team here for next year as a trade-off, but why should anyone believe him? McEacharn already proved a below-average student at doing his homework. Imagine what he might do on an exam.
Sure, a move to Richmond is ultimately about money. No one can fault that reasoning. But while other Eastern League team owners would benefit from increased revenues in Richmond, they should also be thinking, “What if that were me?” Take our word for it: He’ll take advantage of you, too, if given the chance.
He’s already begun that process in Richmond, and it doesn’t even have a team yet. McEacharn endorsed a new stadium plan that essentially required the city and its taxpayers to pay the bill while ownership had minimal risk if the venture failed. The good people of Virginia’s capital are already on to his shtick.
This was McEacharn’s deal from the start, which I’m sure began long before anyone had any business discussing a sale of the team because of tampering concerns. He handpicked the buyer, failed to do his due diligence and, as a result, has two months to come up with a plan to save face — and possibly his job.
These checks he keeps writing will continue to bounce. Sooner or later, they’ll end up at the door of Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Connor, who will want to wash his hands of McEacharn and his mess.
Being able to do the same will be the one positive if the Defenders do leave town
Any number of parties could put the bride and groom together, cutting out the courtship all together. Often times, these unions are driven by economic forces. It usually involves a rise to power and/or the bride bringing a substantial fortune to the groom’s family.
As we’ve learned, the pre-arranged marriage between the Connecticut Defenders and Richmond Baseball LC was a joke, one that’s done damage to many layers of a community.
For months, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said securing the financial means to purchase and run the team was necessary — except that his handpicked bride didn’t include a dowry.
That’s why this “imminent” sale, as he’s called it, went on for months and months. Because he was so desperate to get his way by any means necessary, he’d trample everyone under foot, all while taking significant risk for vouching for an ownership group that has as much business buying a team as a panhandler.
After months of strong-arming Defenders owner Lou DiBella and his partners, the city and every single one of us who call Eastern Connecticut home, the poor power play by McEacharn — and ostensibly, Minor League Baseball (unless we are to believe McEacharn acted alone) — has done irreparable harm to the community.
And for what, a bonus?
This is no longer a pro- or anti-baseball issue. This is an issue of respect and decency.
It’s been a clever rouse, but because McEacharn failed to cover his bases, it is one that he can’t hide from.
He told Norwich Mayor Ben Lathrop that he was taking the team to Richmond. Never mind that it was McEacharn saying this, not the team’s ownership group. The cat got out of the bag and advertisers pulled support of the team, fans determined it’s not worth it to get behind the team, and full- and part-time staff at Dodd wonder where they are going to work next.
Maybe McEacharn didn’t see the trickle-down effect, but it’s time he stands judgment for his reckless abuse of power and trivialization of a community.
At a time when the economy is struggling, he took steps to undermine people with no sense of consequence. People like those Defenders employees who waited for any sort of official word of a sale and were left hanging like a curve ball; like the youth groups who come out in droves on Thursday mornings to hear a message of living drug-free lives; like the 70-year-old season-ticket holder who travels an hour to every game; or the usher who uses his pay to fill the gaps of Social Security; or the family of four who can’t wait for the Friday night fireworks. To us, they are our neighbors. To McEacharn, they were collateral damage.
Everyone thought this was DiBella’s idea — just as McEacharn wanted — figuring the owner was painted into a corner. God forbid this plot crumbled, DiBella would have to sell since he’d be the villain.
Lathrop called McEacharn the “facilitator.” McEacharn can no longer deny this sale doesn’t have his hands all over it.
He can’t.
Until after it was announced Thursday that the original deal was dead, DiBella hadn’t spoken with the bride-to-be in weeks, maybe months. And he hasn’t been allowed to look into moving the team. Why is that?
McEacharn is clearly an interested party, and it would behoove DiBella, his partners and the city of Norwich to challenge baseball’s anti-trust exemption. This is a clear case of collusion among McEacharn, Richmond Baseball — which knew it didn’t have the money — and Minor League Baseball.
This seems about the right time for an apology.
Or at the very least some clear answers. That would be the right thing.
But McEacharn isn’t likely to do the right thing. He hasn’t done it in months, so there’s no reason to anticipate a change now.
He promised support to bring a short-season Single-A team here for next year as a trade-off, but why should anyone believe him? McEacharn already proved a below-average student at doing his homework. Imagine what he might do on an exam.
Sure, a move to Richmond is ultimately about money. No one can fault that reasoning. But while other Eastern League team owners would benefit from increased revenues in Richmond, they should also be thinking, “What if that were me?” Take our word for it: He’ll take advantage of you, too, if given the chance.
He’s already begun that process in Richmond, and it doesn’t even have a team yet. McEacharn endorsed a new stadium plan that essentially required the city and its taxpayers to pay the bill while ownership had minimal risk if the venture failed. The good people of Virginia’s capital are already on to his shtick.
This was McEacharn’s deal from the start, which I’m sure began long before anyone had any business discussing a sale of the team because of tampering concerns. He handpicked the buyer, failed to do his due diligence and, as a result, has two months to come up with a plan to save face — and possibly his job.
These checks he keeps writing will continue to bounce. Sooner or later, they’ll end up at the door of Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Connor, who will want to wash his hands of McEacharn and his mess.
Being able to do the same will be the one positive if the Defenders do leave town
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