Showing posts with label richmond braves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label richmond braves. 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, 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.
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."
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