Earlham College to Build On-Campus Baseball Facility

Earlham College in Richmond (IN) plans to open a new on-campus baseball facility for Earlham baseball team on March 8, 2014, after receiving a $1 million pledge from alum Randy Sadler, who was a member of the 1971 squad.  Sadler is president and COO of PROWARE, which provides information technology to medium and large court systems.  The Quakers currently share McBride Stadium

Shockoe Bottom Site Still at Issue

Peter Galuszka, a Washington Post contributing blogger, highlights the lines being drawn between proponents of a new ballpark for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) in downtown Richmond (VA) at Shockoe Bottom, and opponents who view the area as sacred ground where several hundred thousand Africans were sold into slavery and many were buried.  Read more here

Sensitivity Forces Rejection of Hambones, Apology Offered

The Virginia ham — a victim of political correctness gone awry?  The Richmond baseball franchise has eliminated Hambones as an option because of a connection to slavery’s past.  The team has offered an apology to anyone who may have been offended by their “mistake”.  Considering Hambones was our least worst choice, we think it’s time to dump the list and start fresh.  Read more here.

Columnist Makes Pitch for ‘Flatheads’, but ‘H-Bones’ by Default

The name the team contest ended on Sunday for the new Eastern League team in Richmond.  The name will be announced on Oct. 15.  We all know about the five names presented to fans (Rockhoppers, Rhinos, Flying Squirrels, Hambones, and Flatheads) and the last minute “wild card” entry (Hush Puppies).  It is a pretty sad list.  Columnist Andy Thompson does his best making the sales pitch for the Flatheads, but we remain underwhelmed.  That being said, we are not against unique, fun, and marketable names. 

Nicknames Narrowed to 5 for New Richmond Team

Team Richmond has wasted no time in searching for a moniker for the relocated AA Eastern League club from Norwich.  The finalists include Flatheads, Flying Squirrels, Hambones, Rock Hoppers and Rhinos.  The chosen name is expected to be announced on October 15.  Read more here.

BREAKING NEWS: Defenders Packing Bags for Richmond

It’s finally official.  The Eastern League’s Connecticut Defenders are relocating from Norwich, CT to former AAA market Richmond, VA for the 2010 season.  Read more here.

Defenders to Richmond

It is expected to be formally announced next week that the Connecticut (Norwich) Defenders are indeed moving to Richmond, VA.  The Jamestown (NY) Jammers and the Vermont (Burlington) Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League continue to be mentioned as possible new tenants of Norwich’s Dodd Stadium.  Read more here.