RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Flying Squirrels are making their voices heard about what they want for the future of baseball in Richmond.
8News was the first to obtain a letter from the Squirrels to City Council.
Back in November, Mayor Dwight Jones reportedly said baseball on the Boulevard is not a priority for Richmond.
The letter essentially explains to City Council that the team wants to be on the Boulevard, and, drawing off what other cities have done in similar situations, offers suggestions that could help make that happen. There is also a second letter from VCU’s Director of Athletics that makes it clear VCU is in the Squirrel’s corner.
Squirrels General Manager Lou Dibella says the organization has been frustrated at times by the process, and rhetoric surrounding the subject of a new stadium. He adds the Squirrels have never failed to deliver on its promises, or to remain committed to the betterment of the Richmond community.
“I think wherever they’re at, the city should accommodate them and not make it more difficult,” Squirrels fan Joe White told 8News reporter Jonathan Costen. “I’m really for the Squirrels and hope they stick around, whether it’s the Diamond or downtown, I hope they keep playing ball here in Richmond.”
The city has been adamant about wanting to generate more revenue from the Boulevard. According to the Squirrels’ letter, the club says there’s 65 acres on the Boulevard and the Squirrels only currently occupy eight of those acres, and that the city could help be a catalyst for mixed use on the remaining 57 acres.
But in the meantime, VCU has also sent a letter to council members stating their support of the Squirrels, because the university also uses the stadium for its home baseball games.
Some fans, though, believe the team should look into leaving the Boulevard and re-examine the Shockoe Bottom area.
“Downtown there’s so much going on,”said Richmond resident John Ferguson. “I think they’d get a lot more fans if they were going to Shockoe than the Boulevard because I think at this point it’s kind of obsolete having a baseball stadium in that area.”
Richmond City Council member Kathy Graziano says council will explore two options for the club: Stay or leave. And there might be a possibility the team can remain on the Boulevard, but in a different spot.
Stay with 8News for updates on this developing story.
