Showing posts with label The Diamond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Diamond. Show all posts
Friday, April 16, 2010
Quartet welcomes baseball’s return
When he was a kid, Jeff O'Flaherty liked to watch the first few innings of games at Parker Field and then hang out on the Boulevard chasing foul balls.
For O'Flaherty, those days of hunting down foul balls are long gone -- as is Parker Field and its tenants, the Virginians and the Braves -- but O'Flaherty still loves going to the ball yard.
When the Flying Squirrels debut tonight at The Diamond, you can find him in the seats behind home plate.
"I'm looking forward to seeing a full house and people having fun," said O'Flaherty, 57, who's in the banking business. "Baseball's back in Richmond."
O'Flaherty and three buddies from the box seats -- Ray Edwards, Ed Loyd and Tom Schaefer -- gathered at The Diamond on a recent afternoon to chat about the upcoming season.
The sun was shining, a tractor was tilling the infield dirt, and the lower deck's new, green seats -- equipped with cup holders -- were most comfortable.
All was right with the world.
"There's just something about sitting in a ballpark in springtime," O'Flaherty said.
The four were season-ticket holders for the Richmond Braves, and each has made the same investment for the Flying Squirrels.
They've become friends as they've watched games over the years, a tribute not so much to the pitches and hits on the field as to the power of the environment created by a leisurely paced game that lends itself to conversation.
"Always been a baseball fan," said Loyd, 69, who is retired from A.H. Robins Co. "But one thing I like is what we're doing now -- just sit and talk."
They missed getting together last summer at The Diamond after the R-Braves departed for a suburb of Atlanta, and the team that would become the Squirrels hadn't been secured.
"My wife found a lot for me to do around the house," Schaefer, 56, said with a laugh.
In truth, the guys occasionally traveled to see minor-league teams in other towns. Three of them took off to Arizona to watch some Fall League games, and Schaefer and Loyd went to spring training in Florida in March. These men are serious about their baseball.
But they also recognize that attending a ballgame should be fun, and they applaud the approach the Squirrels' ownership is taking toward promoting baseball at the ballpark and in the community.
"They're in the family-entertainment business," said Schaefer, who also is in banking. "You come in the door, you get greeted, you leave and say, 'Wow, that was a good time.' Even if the team loses 10-0.
"That's not really important. We're not in a race to win the World Series. It's a night out."
Said Edwards, 63, who's retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and was wearing a Flying Squirrels batting-practice cap: "We'd be here if they were 71-and-0, or 0-and-71."
The move to Double-A baseball compared with the Triple-A Braves and, before them, the Virginians, does not bother this quartet at all. In fact, they expect the players will be hungrier and more accessible to the fans.
And the Squirrels' affiliation with a team on the other coast, the San Francisco Giants, also is not an issue for them.
Schaefer remains an Atlanta Braves fan, and O'Flaherty has friends who remain New York Yankees fans because they were the parent club of the Virginians, who haven't played in Richmond in more than 45 years.
"We were sorry to see [the Braves] leave, but that's minor-league baseball," Schaefer said. "We understand how that works."
Edwards chimed in that he has been a Giants fan since Willie Mays roamed centerfield for them from the 1950s to the 1970s.
As the conversation veered into yesteryear, the four talked about players they remembered, for one reason or another, from years past: Horace Clarke, Felix Milan, Ralph Garr, Julio Navarro.
The list is almost endless. They hope to add new ones as the Squirrels create their own lore.
O'Flaherty's looking forward to seeing a lot of kids at The Diamond tonight. Schaefer is planning to bring his son to the game and eat a hot dog.
"I don't think there's any better place to be [tonight] than right here," Loyd said, "behind home plate."
For O'Flaherty, those days of hunting down foul balls are long gone -- as is Parker Field and its tenants, the Virginians and the Braves -- but O'Flaherty still loves going to the ball yard.
When the Flying Squirrels debut tonight at The Diamond, you can find him in the seats behind home plate.
"I'm looking forward to seeing a full house and people having fun," said O'Flaherty, 57, who's in the banking business. "Baseball's back in Richmond."
O'Flaherty and three buddies from the box seats -- Ray Edwards, Ed Loyd and Tom Schaefer -- gathered at The Diamond on a recent afternoon to chat about the upcoming season.
The sun was shining, a tractor was tilling the infield dirt, and the lower deck's new, green seats -- equipped with cup holders -- were most comfortable.
All was right with the world.
"There's just something about sitting in a ballpark in springtime," O'Flaherty said.
The four were season-ticket holders for the Richmond Braves, and each has made the same investment for the Flying Squirrels.
They've become friends as they've watched games over the years, a tribute not so much to the pitches and hits on the field as to the power of the environment created by a leisurely paced game that lends itself to conversation.
"Always been a baseball fan," said Loyd, 69, who is retired from A.H. Robins Co. "But one thing I like is what we're doing now -- just sit and talk."
They missed getting together last summer at The Diamond after the R-Braves departed for a suburb of Atlanta, and the team that would become the Squirrels hadn't been secured.
"My wife found a lot for me to do around the house," Schaefer, 56, said with a laugh.
In truth, the guys occasionally traveled to see minor-league teams in other towns. Three of them took off to Arizona to watch some Fall League games, and Schaefer and Loyd went to spring training in Florida in March. These men are serious about their baseball.
But they also recognize that attending a ballgame should be fun, and they applaud the approach the Squirrels' ownership is taking toward promoting baseball at the ballpark and in the community.
"They're in the family-entertainment business," said Schaefer, who also is in banking. "You come in the door, you get greeted, you leave and say, 'Wow, that was a good time.' Even if the team loses 10-0.
"That's not really important. We're not in a race to win the World Series. It's a night out."
Said Edwards, 63, who's retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and was wearing a Flying Squirrels batting-practice cap: "We'd be here if they were 71-and-0, or 0-and-71."
The move to Double-A baseball compared with the Triple-A Braves and, before them, the Virginians, does not bother this quartet at all. In fact, they expect the players will be hungrier and more accessible to the fans.
And the Squirrels' affiliation with a team on the other coast, the San Francisco Giants, also is not an issue for them.
Schaefer remains an Atlanta Braves fan, and O'Flaherty has friends who remain New York Yankees fans because they were the parent club of the Virginians, who haven't played in Richmond in more than 45 years.
"We were sorry to see [the Braves] leave, but that's minor-league baseball," Schaefer said. "We understand how that works."
Edwards chimed in that he has been a Giants fan since Willie Mays roamed centerfield for them from the 1950s to the 1970s.
As the conversation veered into yesteryear, the four talked about players they remembered, for one reason or another, from years past: Horace Clarke, Felix Milan, Ralph Garr, Julio Navarro.
The list is almost endless. They hope to add new ones as the Squirrels create their own lore.
O'Flaherty's looking forward to seeing a lot of kids at The Diamond tonight. Schaefer is planning to bring his son to the game and eat a hot dog.
"I don't think there's any better place to be [tonight] than right here," Loyd said, "behind home plate."
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sold-out Diamond welcomes baseball back to Richmond
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.
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.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Squirrels’ foundation starts with ballpark
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
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
Friday, December 25, 2009
the Diamond is beginning to look, well, Squirrelly
Banners unfurled. Signs were replaced. The first of several thousand box seats were fastened to their lower-level aisle positions.
Those were improvements made yesterday at The Diamond, with more to come. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A team of the San Francisco Giants, originally pledged $1.5 million to facility upgrades. Chuck Domino, the franchise's chief executive manager, yesterday said the team's commitment has increased to about $1.65 million.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, committed $75,500 toward upgrades. Domino said his club's increased commitment will result in a new scoreboard. The Flying Squirrels initially planned to use $25,000 from the RMA to repair the existing scoreboard.
"But after learning more about the problems with the board, we decided that we would put the $25,000 of the RMA's money, instead of toward repairs, toward a new $150,000 board," Domino said.
Green plastic box seats replace the aluminum benches in the lower deck. Luxury boxes and clubhouses are being renovated, among other improvements. Domino said one of his proudest days will occur when the refurbished concession stands open for the Flying Squirrels' April 15 home-opener.
"Those concession stands alone were almost enough to make me run back to Pennsylvania and put my head under the covers and never return to Richmond, Virginia, again," said Domino, who is also chief executive manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Domino was aware of some objections to the unorthodox name of the team when "Flying Squirrels" was announced in mid-October. He said he believes the Richmond community has generally embraced the name since then. The logo was revealed on Dec. 1, also the day the team store The Squirrels Nest opened at The Diamond in the down-the-first-base-line space where the stadium's restaurant used to be.
"If people are voting on the logo with their pocketbooks in the team store, then it looks like it's been well-received," Domino said. "I can't imagine too many teams this time of year doing the business we're doing."
According to Domino, a hat and apparel vendor who thought the club was too ambitious on sales projections recommended that the Flying Squirrels reduce by half the volume of their first order for team gear.
After the first day [the store opened], we called and doubled the order," Domino said.
The Richmond Braves played at Parker Field or The Diamond from 1966-2008, and the Braves' dissatisfaction with the stadium caused the Atlanta organization to relocate its Triple-A franchise to Gwinnett County, Ga.
Still undetermined is a long-term ballpark solution for Richmond. The options appear to be a major renovation of The Diamond, a new ballpark on the Boulevard, or a new ballpark elsewhere in the area.
James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA board of directors, said informal discussions continue about a long-term plan for new or renovated stadium. More serious discussions could begin next year, he suggested.
"It's still too soon, in my opinion, with the economy being as it is and with the jurisdictions struggling with their budgets for 2010 and looking at a continuing struggle for 2011," Jenkins said. "I don't know that anybody is ready to whip out a checkbook and make a commitment at this point."
Domino said the RMA is working on finding a new home for The Diamond's most conspicuous resident: the sculpture of Connecticut, the Native American brave who peers onto the Boulevard from the stadium's superstructure. It now appears possible, however, that Connecticut could remain on the perch he has occupied since 1985.
Those were improvements made yesterday at The Diamond, with more to come. The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A team of the San Francisco Giants, originally pledged $1.5 million to facility upgrades. Chuck Domino, the franchise's chief executive manager, yesterday said the team's commitment has increased to about $1.65 million.
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns The Diamond, committed $75,500 toward upgrades. Domino said his club's increased commitment will result in a new scoreboard. The Flying Squirrels initially planned to use $25,000 from the RMA to repair the existing scoreboard.
"But after learning more about the problems with the board, we decided that we would put the $25,000 of the RMA's money, instead of toward repairs, toward a new $150,000 board," Domino said.
Green plastic box seats replace the aluminum benches in the lower deck. Luxury boxes and clubhouses are being renovated, among other improvements. Domino said one of his proudest days will occur when the refurbished concession stands open for the Flying Squirrels' April 15 home-opener.
"Those concession stands alone were almost enough to make me run back to Pennsylvania and put my head under the covers and never return to Richmond, Virginia, again," said Domino, who is also chief executive manager of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
Domino was aware of some objections to the unorthodox name of the team when "Flying Squirrels" was announced in mid-October. He said he believes the Richmond community has generally embraced the name since then. The logo was revealed on Dec. 1, also the day the team store The Squirrels Nest opened at The Diamond in the down-the-first-base-line space where the stadium's restaurant used to be.
"If people are voting on the logo with their pocketbooks in the team store, then it looks like it's been well-received," Domino said. "I can't imagine too many teams this time of year doing the business we're doing."
According to Domino, a hat and apparel vendor who thought the club was too ambitious on sales projections recommended that the Flying Squirrels reduce by half the volume of their first order for team gear.
After the first day [the store opened], we called and doubled the order," Domino said.
The Richmond Braves played at Parker Field or The Diamond from 1966-2008, and the Braves' dissatisfaction with the stadium caused the Atlanta organization to relocate its Triple-A franchise to Gwinnett County, Ga.
Still undetermined is a long-term ballpark solution for Richmond. The options appear to be a major renovation of The Diamond, a new ballpark on the Boulevard, or a new ballpark elsewhere in the area.
James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA board of directors, said informal discussions continue about a long-term plan for new or renovated stadium. More serious discussions could begin next year, he suggested.
"It's still too soon, in my opinion, with the economy being as it is and with the jurisdictions struggling with their budgets for 2010 and looking at a continuing struggle for 2011," Jenkins said. "I don't know that anybody is ready to whip out a checkbook and make a commitment at this point."
Domino said the RMA is working on finding a new home for The Diamond's most conspicuous resident: the sculpture of Connecticut, the Native American brave who peers onto the Boulevard from the stadium's superstructure. It now appears possible, however, that Connecticut could remain on the perch he has occupied since 1985.
Wednesday, December 2, 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.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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, 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.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Eastern League “closing in” on announcement of Richmond’s new baseball franchise
Behind-the-scenes work apparently has already started as The Diamond readies for Richmond's next professional baseball team. Sources said it will be the Class AA franchise now based in Connecticut.
Those involved with the relocation process have been told by Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League not to comment publicly on the move until it is formally announced, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said.
Renovation of The Diamond's executive offices will be a priority following an announcement of franchise relocation for next season. McEacharn said yesterday that "the people who we anticipate coming down there are actively involved" in making arrangements for computer service, phone service and other business necessities in The Diamond's front office.
"It is my understanding that there have been some contacts relative to doing some things, carpet, [phone and computer] hook-ups and things like that," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
McEacharn reiterated that Richmond's new franchise and its ownership group will be announced by Aug. 1. He chose not to reveal the franchise or ownership team yesterday and said the announcement is "unlikely" this week. "We're closing in," McEacharn said. "We're dotting I's and crossing T's and all that stuff. We don't have anything to announce yet, but we continue to work toward that."
The Connecticut franchise will move to Richmond with Lou DiBella remaining as managing partner, said sources, and with a management team involving Chuck Domino, president of the Class AA Reading franchise (Philadelphia Phillies) and the Class AAA Lehigh Valley franchise (Philadelphia Phillies). Domino, who has worked in professional baseball for 27 years, was Reading's general manager 1988-2006. He won several national awards for franchise management.
Connecticut has been an Eastern League member since 1995. The franchise is contractually bound to be the San Francisco Giants' Class AA affiliate through next season. A local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, in May failed
to meet the purchase price of $15.4 million for that franchise.
"We will wait for Minor League Baseball to assign the region a team, and then that team will sit down with the RMA and enter into a lease agreement," said James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA's board of directors. "Then the process will go forward with an initial refurbishing of The Diamond."
The Diamond's refurbishment would be an upgrade to make it usable for at least the next two seasons. A long-term ballpark solution has not yet been determined. Peter Kirk's Opening Day Partners submitted a $28 million plan for a transformation of The Diamond in early June to city and county officials. Kirk yesterday said he has not heard from those officials.
McEacharn said that Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have agreed on the franchise to be relocated to Richmond but "there are always a whole bunch of
legal [issues] to work through . . . We have a plan and we're trying to finalize that plan. And we always have contingencies."
Connecticut was one of a few Eastern League franchises that expressed an interest in relocating to Richmond, sources said. Jenkins said seven groups toured The Diamond. That number includes representatives of franchises that were interested in relocation as well as members of potential ownership groups.
Those involved with the relocation process have been told by Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League not to comment publicly on the move until it is formally announced, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said.
Renovation of The Diamond's executive offices will be a priority following an announcement of franchise relocation for next season. McEacharn said yesterday that "the people who we anticipate coming down there are actively involved" in making arrangements for computer service, phone service and other business necessities in The Diamond's front office.
"It is my understanding that there have been some contacts relative to doing some things, carpet, [phone and computer] hook-ups and things like that," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
McEacharn reiterated that Richmond's new franchise and its ownership group will be announced by Aug. 1. He chose not to reveal the franchise or ownership team yesterday and said the announcement is "unlikely" this week. "We're closing in," McEacharn said. "We're dotting I's and crossing T's and all that stuff. We don't have anything to announce yet, but we continue to work toward that."
The Connecticut franchise will move to Richmond with Lou DiBella remaining as managing partner, said sources, and with a management team involving Chuck Domino, president of the Class AA Reading franchise (Philadelphia Phillies) and the Class AAA Lehigh Valley franchise (Philadelphia Phillies). Domino, who has worked in professional baseball for 27 years, was Reading's general manager 1988-2006. He won several national awards for franchise management.
Connecticut has been an Eastern League member since 1995. The franchise is contractually bound to be the San Francisco Giants' Class AA affiliate through next season. A local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, in May failed
to meet the purchase price of $15.4 million for that franchise.
"We will wait for Minor League Baseball to assign the region a team, and then that team will sit down with the RMA and enter into a lease agreement," said James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA's board of directors. "Then the process will go forward with an initial refurbishing of The Diamond."
The Diamond's refurbishment would be an upgrade to make it usable for at least the next two seasons. A long-term ballpark solution has not yet been determined. Peter Kirk's Opening Day Partners submitted a $28 million plan for a transformation of The Diamond in early June to city and county officials. Kirk yesterday said he has not heard from those officials.
McEacharn said that Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have agreed on the franchise to be relocated to Richmond but "there are always a whole bunch of
legal [issues] to work through . . . We have a plan and we're trying to finalize that plan. And we always have contingencies."
Connecticut was one of a few Eastern League franchises that expressed an interest in relocating to Richmond, sources said. Jenkins said seven groups toured The Diamond. That number includes representatives of franchises that were interested in relocation as well as members of potential ownership groups.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Independent league is ready to pitch in Richmond
Along with its plan to essentially rebuild The Diamond, Opening Day Partners would like Richmond leaders to consider putting an independent-league franchise in the made-over facility.
Minor League Baseball franchises are affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations. Independent leagues, such as the Atlantic League, are not.
Opening Day Partners, which this week released its proposal for a $28 million transformation of The Diamond, owns three of the eight Atlantic League franchises with local partners, and operates a fourth. "The Atlantic League would love to make a presentation and show Richmond how much we want to be there," said Peter Kirk, chairman of ODP. He added that the Atlantic League will make an expansion team available to Richmond for next season.
Kirk said Opening Day Partners also welcomes the opportunity to transform The Diamond for a Minor League Baseball franchise.
The Class AA Eastern League, part of Minor League Baseball, pledged to Richmond one of its 12 franchises for next season. Local investors failed in a bid to buy the Connecticut Defenders for $15.4 million. Minor League Baseball oversees a potential franchise sale and/or relocation it hopes to finalize by Aug. 1.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn promised a "tightly managed process." Representatives of Ryan-Sanders, a well-regarded ownership group, late last month visited Richmond to investigate the situation. Reid Ryan, the firm's president, said this week "because of baseball rules, we are not allowed to comment on the market. Everything has to go through the Eastern League."
Asked for an update, McEacharn this week said "I really can't give any specifics other than to say we are continuing to explore a number of different options."
Kirk, a former owner of Baltimore Orioles' affiliates, called the Atlantic League "equivalent to Triple-A hitting and fielding, Double-A pitching." Independent-league players are commonly signed by affiliated teams. Since the Atlantic League launched in 1998, more than 600 players with major-league experience have joined its teams, according to the league. This season, Carl Everett, Armando Benitez, Jay Gibbons, Esteban Yan and Preston Wilson are among the ex-big-leaguers.
Atlantic League franchises are in Bridgeport, Conn., Camden, N.J., Lancaster, Pa., Long Island, N.Y., Newark, N.J., Somerset, N.J., Southern Maryland (Waldorf) and York, Pa., and clubs usually have former big-leaguers as managers. This season, Gary Carter, Butch Hobson, Tim Raines, Sparky Lyle and Tommy John are managing.
Average Eastern League attendance this season is 4,146. Average Atlantic League attendance is 3,895. Kirk said locales involved with the Atlantic League find it features "great baseball, but also, quite frankly, the community gets a better financial deal with the Atlantic League."
If an ownership group pays $15 million for a franchise, for instance, in most cases that doesn't leave much for ownership to contribute to a new stadium, Kirk said. An Atlantic League expansion franchise would require approximately $7 million "to buy the franchise, set it up and do all of the things you have to do," Kirk said. "You have so much more [financial] room to work."
Minor League Baseball franchises are affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations. Independent leagues, such as the Atlantic League, are not.
Opening Day Partners, which this week released its proposal for a $28 million transformation of The Diamond, owns three of the eight Atlantic League franchises with local partners, and operates a fourth. "The Atlantic League would love to make a presentation and show Richmond how much we want to be there," said Peter Kirk, chairman of ODP. He added that the Atlantic League will make an expansion team available to Richmond for next season.
Kirk said Opening Day Partners also welcomes the opportunity to transform The Diamond for a Minor League Baseball franchise.
The Class AA Eastern League, part of Minor League Baseball, pledged to Richmond one of its 12 franchises for next season. Local investors failed in a bid to buy the Connecticut Defenders for $15.4 million. Minor League Baseball oversees a potential franchise sale and/or relocation it hopes to finalize by Aug. 1.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn promised a "tightly managed process." Representatives of Ryan-Sanders, a well-regarded ownership group, late last month visited Richmond to investigate the situation. Reid Ryan, the firm's president, said this week "because of baseball rules, we are not allowed to comment on the market. Everything has to go through the Eastern League."
Asked for an update, McEacharn this week said "I really can't give any specifics other than to say we are continuing to explore a number of different options."
Kirk, a former owner of Baltimore Orioles' affiliates, called the Atlantic League "equivalent to Triple-A hitting and fielding, Double-A pitching." Independent-league players are commonly signed by affiliated teams. Since the Atlantic League launched in 1998, more than 600 players with major-league experience have joined its teams, according to the league. This season, Carl Everett, Armando Benitez, Jay Gibbons, Esteban Yan and Preston Wilson are among the ex-big-leaguers.
Atlantic League franchises are in Bridgeport, Conn., Camden, N.J., Lancaster, Pa., Long Island, N.Y., Newark, N.J., Somerset, N.J., Southern Maryland (Waldorf) and York, Pa., and clubs usually have former big-leaguers as managers. This season, Gary Carter, Butch Hobson, Tim Raines, Sparky Lyle and Tommy John are managing.
Average Eastern League attendance this season is 4,146. Average Atlantic League attendance is 3,895. Kirk said locales involved with the Atlantic League find it features "great baseball, but also, quite frankly, the community gets a better financial deal with the Atlantic League."
If an ownership group pays $15 million for a franchise, for instance, in most cases that doesn't leave much for ownership to contribute to a new stadium, Kirk said. An Atlantic League expansion franchise would require approximately $7 million "to buy the franchise, set it up and do all of the things you have to do," Kirk said. "You have so much more [financial] room to work."
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Unanswered Questions about Baseball
Pitchmen Paul Kreckman and Bryan Bostic said they would answer all questions. Then they didn’t do it.
The men who would build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom made a presentation in Albert Hill Middle School’s auditorium on Apr. 22. The early-evening meeting was advertised as open to the public. Maybe 70 or 75 people showed up to listen to Kreckman, of Highwoods Properties, and Bostic, of Richmond Baseball Club.
The crowd was told to hold questions until the presentation was done. The audience complied and sat politely through the structured part of the night.
Kreckman spoke mostly about money aspects of the developments his outfit has designed for the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom.
Bostic spoke mostly about the baseball stadium he wants to see built, to be the home field for a minor league franchise his group is in the process of buying. With his intensity ratcheted up, Bostic said, “There’s a game out there ... it’s called baseball.”
Kreckman was folksy and well-modulated. But his take-it-or-leave-it threat was clear -- if the stadium component of the plans doesn’t fall into place, Highwoods will walk away from the whole shebang.
Later Bostic said, “It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about the experience.”
By that Bostic was talking about how the fans coming to see his team play will be more interested in the stadium’s festive atmosphere -- the view of the skyline, the bells and whistles, which will appeal to folks who don’t care about actually watching baseball.
Kreckman said, “I’m not a baseball fan.”
Bostic said, “It’s not about the game ... it’s about sunsets.”
Of course, they both said a lot of other things, too. Neither man was particularly convincing. What happened during the Q&A session was more telling than the spinning numbers and blue sky projections had been.
Among the initial half-dozen questions, some were challenging. Obviously, there were some citizens in the room with a bone to pick. So, a new rule was laid down -- only one question per citizen.
Tougher questions were asked. A man brought up Bostic’s history with Richmond Baseball Initiative, the group that effectively put the kibosh on the plan to renovate The Diamond, with its push for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom five years ago.
Bostic bristled. He labeled the question, “unfair!” Then he blustered about The Diamond’s $18.5 million renovation plan. He cracked that the figure would have turned out to be “$30 million.”
In other words, we should not have bought what the Richmond Metropolitan Authority said, but Highwoods’ estimates are as good as gold. Bostic mocked the RMA, while he wants to create a new “authority” like it to own the new stadium and issue the bonds.
Shortly afterward, with hands aplenty raised to ask questions, the meeting was declared over. It was frustrating to leave the room with a head full of questions. Questions like:
The Diamond is almost 24 years old. Is it common to issue 30-year bonds on a building that has a 20-to-25-year life?
For the first two years, Bostic’s new team will apparently play at The Diamond. If the deal for Shockoe Bottom doesn’t happen, how willing is Bostic to talk about staying at The Diamond?
Minor league baseball is no sure thing. Say Bostic has to sell the team in five years, what would happen if the new owner wants to move it to another city?
If the revenue from the taxes earmarked to service the bonds isn’t there, the bondholders can then seize the stadium, according to Highwoods. So, what would that do to Richmond’s credit rating? And, who would buy such a facility?
What will leaving the two surrounding counties out of the new stadium deal do for the spirit of regional cooperation?
In 2005 City Council agreed to hold a referendum, to ask the voters where they wanted professional baseball to be played. Then the worthy idea was cast aside. Why?
Isn’t such a hot potato referendum, something that would get the politicians off the hook -- Boulevard or Shockoe Bottom? -- the best way to judge the righteousness of the Highwoods vision for Richmond?
The men who would build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom made a presentation in Albert Hill Middle School’s auditorium on Apr. 22. The early-evening meeting was advertised as open to the public. Maybe 70 or 75 people showed up to listen to Kreckman, of Highwoods Properties, and Bostic, of Richmond Baseball Club.
The crowd was told to hold questions until the presentation was done. The audience complied and sat politely through the structured part of the night.
Kreckman spoke mostly about money aspects of the developments his outfit has designed for the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom.
Bostic spoke mostly about the baseball stadium he wants to see built, to be the home field for a minor league franchise his group is in the process of buying. With his intensity ratcheted up, Bostic said, “There’s a game out there ... it’s called baseball.”
Kreckman was folksy and well-modulated. But his take-it-or-leave-it threat was clear -- if the stadium component of the plans doesn’t fall into place, Highwoods will walk away from the whole shebang.
Later Bostic said, “It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about the experience.”
By that Bostic was talking about how the fans coming to see his team play will be more interested in the stadium’s festive atmosphere -- the view of the skyline, the bells and whistles, which will appeal to folks who don’t care about actually watching baseball.
Kreckman said, “I’m not a baseball fan.”
Bostic said, “It’s not about the game ... it’s about sunsets.”
Of course, they both said a lot of other things, too. Neither man was particularly convincing. What happened during the Q&A session was more telling than the spinning numbers and blue sky projections had been.
Among the initial half-dozen questions, some were challenging. Obviously, there were some citizens in the room with a bone to pick. So, a new rule was laid down -- only one question per citizen.
Tougher questions were asked. A man brought up Bostic’s history with Richmond Baseball Initiative, the group that effectively put the kibosh on the plan to renovate The Diamond, with its push for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom five years ago.
Bostic bristled. He labeled the question, “unfair!” Then he blustered about The Diamond’s $18.5 million renovation plan. He cracked that the figure would have turned out to be “$30 million.”
In other words, we should not have bought what the Richmond Metropolitan Authority said, but Highwoods’ estimates are as good as gold. Bostic mocked the RMA, while he wants to create a new “authority” like it to own the new stadium and issue the bonds.
Shortly afterward, with hands aplenty raised to ask questions, the meeting was declared over. It was frustrating to leave the room with a head full of questions. Questions like:
The Diamond is almost 24 years old. Is it common to issue 30-year bonds on a building that has a 20-to-25-year life?
For the first two years, Bostic’s new team will apparently play at The Diamond. If the deal for Shockoe Bottom doesn’t happen, how willing is Bostic to talk about staying at The Diamond?
Minor league baseball is no sure thing. Say Bostic has to sell the team in five years, what would happen if the new owner wants to move it to another city?
If the revenue from the taxes earmarked to service the bonds isn’t there, the bondholders can then seize the stadium, according to Highwoods. So, what would that do to Richmond’s credit rating? And, who would buy such a facility?
What will leaving the two surrounding counties out of the new stadium deal do for the spirit of regional cooperation?
In 2005 City Council agreed to hold a referendum, to ask the voters where they wanted professional baseball to be played. Then the worthy idea was cast aside. Why?
Isn’t such a hot potato referendum, something that would get the politicians off the hook -- Boulevard or Shockoe Bottom? -- the best way to judge the righteousness of the Highwoods vision for Richmond?
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