Despite Improvements, Squirrels Not Resigned to Staying at The Diamond

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) on Monday unveiled the $250,000 video board, which will capture on-field action and present movie and TV clips, custom animations, a noise-meter, hat shuffles, and other entertainment.  But, this and other improvements do not signal that the team is resigned to being at The Diamond for the long haul.  Read more here.

Squirrels Unveil 10th Anniversary Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, released a special 10th season logo for 2019 on Tuesday night, kicking off the start of a year-long celebration of a decade of Flying Squirrels baseball on the Boulevard.

Squirrels to Host 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game, Unveil Details

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) have unveiled the details for the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Week.  The festivities begin Sunday, July 7 with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney‘s Kickoff at Brown’s Island and concludes with the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 10.  Read more here.

Relocation of ABC HQ Could Free Up Land for New Squirrels Ballpark

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) and the Department of General Services (DGS) have announced a preferred relocation site in Mechanicsville (VA).  ABC’s current location is across the street from The Diamond and could be the landing spot for a new baseball stadium for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) and VCU.  Read more here.

No New Ballpark Yet, But The Diamond is Getting Upgrades

There still is no firm plan for a new ballpark in Richmond (VA), but the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) will play at a significantly upgraded Diamond in 2018.  Read more here.

ABC HQ Relocation Could Free Up Land for New Squirrels Park

A state agency is recommending that the ABC headquarters and distribution warehouse be moved from its existing home across the road from The Diamond, which would free up its 20-acre property for a potential new home for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more and view aerial here.

And the New Ballpark Beat Goes on in Richmond…

Virginia Commonwealth University and the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) agreed last September to a nonbinding memorandum of understanding, expressing mutual interest in exploration of the feasibility of a new ballpark for one year.  Read more here.

Six Pounds of Condiments Needed for Squirrels’ Human Hot Dog July 28

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) are relishing the opportunity to turn VP & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell into a Human Hot Dog for charity following the game on Friday, July 28 at The Diamond.  Read more here.

Possible Land Availability for Squirrels New Ballpark

A state agency with a significant footprint near The Diamond is on the hunt for a half million square feet of real estate, potentially making its current home a site for a new baseball stadium for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more here.

Ballpark Q&A with Squirrels Chief Lou DiBella

There haven’t been any developments made public concerning a new ballpark since Sept. 28, 2016, when the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) and VCU entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding.  Read more here.

New Marquee and Digital Message Center Coming to The Diamond

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Virginia Commonwealth University and Elephant Auto Insurance broke ground Tuesday afternoon on construction of a new marquee and digital message center outside The Diamond.

The Diamond to Offer New Amenity, But Focus Still on New Ballpark

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) on Thursday introduced the “Bistro at the Bullpen” at The Diamond — an exclusive, high-end 27-feet-by-27-feet party deck under construction down the right-field line.  Meanwhile, the Squirrels continue to work with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on new ballpark plans.  Read more here.

Mayor, Flying Squirrels, VCU Announce Ballpark Agreement

The City of Richmond (VA) has announced a new agreement between the city, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League), and Virginia Commonwealth University that will commit the minor league team to stay in Richmond for a minimum of 30 years once a new ballpark is constructed.  Read more here.  Read press release here.  Watch “Baseball on the Boulevard” video here.

No Progress to Report on New Richmond Ballpark

More than four months after Richmond (VA) Mayor Dwight Jones said he was working with the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) and Virginia Commonwealth University on the new ballpark, there have been no updates on the project.  Read more and watch news report here.

Dreaming of a New Richmond Ballpark, Pondering Amenities and Features

Presumably, Richmond (VA) will have a new ballpark one day.  Chuck Domino, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ (Double-A, Eastern League) chief executive, based on his observations over the years, has a growing list of minor league stadium features that could potentially work into a Richmond plan.  Read more here.

Squirrels, City, and VCU Targeting New Location for Stadium

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) and Mayor Dwight C. Jones are back on speaking terms and, according to a joint statement Tuesday, working together to identify a new location for a baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Squirrels Unveil New Female Mascot

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels unveiled a brand new mascot during Nutzy’s Block Party and Fan Fest on Saturday afternoon at The Diamond. The new mascot is a female superhero squirrel with pink accessories including a cape as well as a bow over her right ear (click for rendering).

Squirrels Unveil Nightly Promos, Welcome VA Governor’s Support for Ballpark Solution

The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) continue a week-long unveiling of their 2016 Promotional Calendar with the announcement of nightly promotions for each day of the week this season.  View press release here.  Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has chimed in to support keeping the Squirrels in Richmond (VA).  Read more here.

Future of the Boulevard: Public Ballpark Discussions Begin

At the first public meeting to discuss how the city of Richmond (VA) should develop the 60 acres of land it owns on the Boulevard, every resident who spoke agreed that a stadium for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) should remain on the property.  A hired consulting firm presenting at the meeting concluded that the “highest and best economic use” for the property doesn’t include a stadium, but they only studied it in terms of economics.  Five more meetings are scheduled.  Read more here.

Richmond Too Small for Minor League Ball?

Michael Paul William from the Richmond Times-Dispatch has written an interesting piece arguing that Richmond’s lack of annexation powers is hampering progress on a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League).  Read more here.

A New Proposal for The Diamond

A group of Richmond (VA)-based citizens, architects and developers are proposing a new vision for The Diamond on the Boulevard, the current home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League).  The group plans to present their ideas to the media and the public on Wednesday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m.  Read more here.

New Home for Squirrels Back on Track, Three Localities Join Forces

After more than a year of stalemate, the three largest localities in the Richmond area have resumed discussions on potential locations for a minor-league baseball stadium, saying they hope to find a permanent home for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) by the end of the year.  Read more here.  Watch news report here.

Frustrated DiBella Makes Public Appeal for Action on New Ballpark

With local debate silenced on the future of The Diamond, the president and managing general partner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) issued an open letter Tuesday to the “Greater Richmond Community” seeking a commitment from local leaders for a ballpark solution to ensure the team’s long-term future in Richmond (VA).  Read more here.

DiBella Committed to Richmond, Calls Ballpark ‘Dilapidated’

Lou DiBella, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ (Double-A, Eastern League) president and managing general partner, said despite his frustrations with the progress of new ballpark discussions in Richmond (VA), his group remains committed to the city and providing a strong fan experience at their “dilapidated” home on the Boulevard.  Read more here.

Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Opponents to Push Alternative Plan

Opponents of the proposed ballpark in Shockoe Bottom for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A, Eastern League) are planning a series of public meetings this month to develop an alternative proposal that can be formally presented to the city.  Read more here.

Chesterfield County Talks Ballpark Funding

The Richmond (VA) City Council charted a new course last week in the seemingly never-ending discussion over a new baseball stadium, passing a resolution that asked Mayor Dwight Jones to seek regional participation in the stalled project.  But local leaders in Chesterfield County, one of the regional entities that potentially could help finance a new home for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern

Council Presses for Regional Cooperation to Build Richmond Ballpark

The Richmond (VA) City Council voted unanimously Monday to ask Mayor Dwight C. Jones to gauge interest in a regional effort to build a new minor league baseball stadium for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League).  Read more here.  Read regional outreach story from September here.  Read another regional back story here.

Squirrels Release 2015 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, are excited to announce the release of their promotional schedule for the 2015 season. The schedule proudly features 21 new and improved fireworks shows, 11 Free Shirt Fridays, 18 unique giveaways and 11 Kids Club Sunday’s with giveaways.

Ballpark-Plus Protest Disrupts Richmond City Council Meeting

The Richmond City Council started 2015 with a bang, as activists disrupted Monday’s meeting and threatened city officials with more protests if the group’s demands are not met.  While opposition to the proposed Shockoe Bottom ballpark for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) appeared to be the hook, there was clearly a broader agenda for the minor-sized faction.  Read more and watch video here.

Actress Asks Richmond Mayor to Withdraw Support for Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Plan

Actress Lupita Nyong’o has joined those urging Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones to reconsider building a new stadium in Shockoe Bottom for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League).  Nyong’o, who won an Academy Award for her role in the movie 12 Years a Slave, released a letter Sunday asking the mayor to instead preserve the site’s slave history.  Read more here.

Squirrels, Giants Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, in conjunction with their parent affiliate, the San Francisco Giants, have announced a two-year extension to the player development contract (PDC) between the two organizations. As the Squirrels currently compete in the Eastern League Championship Series, the team completes its fifth season as the Double-A affiliate of the Giants. Under the new agreement, the

Council Members Pursue Alternative Ballpark Route

Richmond (VA) City Council members introduced a series of stadium-related measures Monday night that collectively lay out an alternative course of action to the Shockoe Bottom baseball plan proposed by Mayor Dwight C. Jones.  Read more here.

Parent Club Executive: Keep Richmond Ballpark Plan Simple

Bobby Evans, vice president and general manager for the San Francisco Giants, the parent club for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League), is advocating for a streamlined approach that could create a more direct path to a new ballpark with the potential of generating surrounding development.  Read more here.

Still Working on Ballpark Lease Commitment in Richmond

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones still doesn’t have a firm lease commitment from the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) for a new baseball stadium proposed in Shockoe Bottom, but the team’s owners say they are making progress toward an agreement.  Read more here.

Pig Smooching Raises Nearly $40K

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels Charities, the non-profit foundation of the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that the inaugural Smooch-A-Pig charity fundraising campaign raised nearly $40,000 for Richmond area youth athletics.

Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Plan Not Dead

The withdrawn proposal for a new baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom will return.  Today, Mayor Dwight Jones made it clear he was not going to back away from the Shockoe ballpark plan.  In May, the mayor took his proposal off the table before City Council members had a chance to shoot it down.  Read more and watch news report here.

Richmond Mayor Pulls Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Proposal Moments Before Vote

Moments before the Richmond (VA) City Council was set to vote on Mayor Dwight Jones‘ Shockoe Bottom revitalization plan that includes a new ballpark for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, Jones reportedly pulled the plan to keep it from being voted down.  Read more here.

Majority of Council Members to Vote Against Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Plan Today?

Five members of Richmond (VA) City Council reportedly now say they plan on voting against the Shockoe Bottom ballpark plan when it comes up for consideration during Tuesday’s Council meeting.  Read more and watch news report here.

Funding for Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Restored

Richmond (VA) Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the City Council announced a budget deal Monday that restores most of the funding for the mayor’s plan for a Shockoe Bottom baseball stadium for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League).  The mayor had threatened to veto a council attempt to reallocate $12.6 million tied to the Shockoe development plan.  Read more here.

Alternative Richmond Ballpark Proposal Dead?

It doesn’t appear as though the city of Richmond (VA) will have an alternative to Mayor Dwight Jones’ Shockoe Bottom baseball proposal, after a trio of Chesterfield developers sent a letter to city officials seemingly pulling the plug on their privately-funded proposal to build a new ballpark on the Boulevard.  Read more here.