The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) are asking for community input on funding a new ballpark on The Boulevard via an advocacy group, Ballpark Nutz.
The group, which exists mainly as a Facebook page at the moment, was set by the Squirrels management to help move along the dialogue about a new ballpark — a dialogue that seems stalled at the moment. “Ballpark Nutz will give fans a chance to let their voices be heard,” says Todd “Parney” Parnell, VP/COO, via official statement. “We’re encouraging Richmonders to do what comes naturally to so many of them — just go nutz.”
When Lou DiBella moved the team from Norwich, one condition was clear: The Diamond was not seen as a viable long-term option for Minor League Baseball, so a new ballpark would be a necessity. We’re now a few years from the move of the team, and we’re seemingly no closer to a new ballpark. True, there’s a plan of sorts to build a new ballpark next to The Diamond, but there’s nothing close to a funding plan, never mind a plan for regional cooperation on a facility. And while Squirrels ownership/management continue to meet with Richmond officials — indeed, a meeting with Mayor Dwight Jones and reps from Henrico and Chesterfield counties was held last week — we’re still a ways from any ballpark deal, despite optimism from all sides.
RELATED STORIES: Richmond: Yes, we really do intend on building a new ballpark; Budget issues postpone Squirrels ballpark to 2015 at the earliest; New Richmond ballpark by 2014?; DiBella: Time to start talking new ballpark; Flying Squirrels throw out first offer on new ballpark; Baseball returns to Richmond’s Diamond — but for how long?; Baseball returns to Richmond tonight; Flying Squirrels unveil uniform designs; Flying Squirrels unveil logo, color schemes; Richmond contest yields another dreadful name; Five finalists for Richmond team name announced
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