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.

Flying Squirrels Launch Lunar Landing Night on July 20, 2019

PRESS RELEASE – The Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, will salute the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the Moon with a Lunar Landing Night celebration on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Shockoe Bottom Historic-Review Process Underway

A voluntary historic review of the Shockoe Bottom site slated for the proposed new ballpark for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) is underway.  The process is projected to take three months for documentary research and expert review, followed by four months of archaeological excavation.  Preparing a final report and educational materials on the findings will take about 18 months.  Read more here.

Richmond Council Members Want Ballpark Consultant

The Richmond City Council voted 7-2 Monday to ask Mayor Dwight C. Jones to find $50,000 to hire outside consultants to help vet the plan to build a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League).  Read more here.

Richmond Council Votes for Further Ballpark Negotiations

Monday night brought out hundreds of citizens to Richmond (VA) city hall for public comment on Mayor Dwight Jones’ Shockoe Bottom baseball stadium proposal.  After five hours of discourse council members voted 6-3 in favor of the resolution, which only supports furthur negotiations on the Shockoe Bottom plan.  Read more  here and here.

Battle of the Shockoe Bottom Billboards

Both supporters and opponents of the proposed new ballpark in Shockoe Bottom for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) have bought billboards to advocate their positions.  On Tuesday the Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee voted to forward the proposal to the city council with no recommendations.  Read more and view billboards here.

Squirrels Expand Local Presence in Ownership Group

PRESS RELEASE – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce an expansion to the team’s ownership group that will dramatically increase the organization’s local presence. Three local investment groups, comprised of eight prominent members of the Richmond community, have been approved by Minor League Baseball as minority partners of the Flying

Shockoe Bottom Ballpark Opponents Offer Alternative

Opponents of the plan to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) have released an alternative proposal they say would allow development to occur while substituting a memorial park for a stadium.  Read more here.