Review from April 15, 2022
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Altoona Curve Baseball through Different Eyes
By: Matthew Preslar Easter weekend 2022 took us to Richmond, Virginia. Rebecca's sister lives in RVA and the family reunion / Easter celebration began Friday night with the Flying Squirrels. Good Friday. As children, Rebecca's family attended baseball games on nearly every vacation, thus, no better place to have a reunion than a ballpark. We all got together for a night of FUNN... (truly sorry for the Squirrels pun). A true highlight of the night was seeing our young nephew experience his first professional game. Nutzy the mascot, the cotton candy, the stimulation of ALL THE PEOPLE. I’m really happy the pictures captured the huge smile on his face… I was really happy they all accepted our invitation to meet us at the game. I’m at or on a ball field very often. However, I do have the ability to step back from myself and try to see the experience from other people’s eyes. Be it a first game. Be it a semblance of normal. Be it a family reunion. We had it all this game. This is the power of baseball! |
THE DIAMOND
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Review from August 31. 2019
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox
Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. Bowie Baysox
Classic. Simple. Diamond.
By: Matthew Preslar
Everything about Richmond, Virginia (RVA) is classic, scenic, and simple. This includes The Diamond, located on Boulevard. Classic and simple: the name of the building and the street it sits on. Not simple, however, is the story of The Flying Squirrels.
The Eastern League is a AA league in Minor League Baseball. This league historically has been rooted in the Northeastern part of the country. In fact the current Flying Squirrels have been passed around to several cities and sources indicate they are currently on their 9th team “identity.” Many minor league franchises often rebrand when they move location or partner with a new Major League franchise.
RVA’s The Diamond sat vacant of professional baseball after the 2008 season as the Braves AAA left when Richmond wouldn’t build a new stadium. With baseball business struggling in Connecticut, ownership pulled out of the heart of the league and moved to the old AAA stadium. While a geographic stretch for league rivals, Richmond’s large stadium (seating criteria that meets AAA standards) has paced Eastern League attendance many years since the relocation.
While continuing to age, The Diamond reached 10 years this season as home of the Flying Squirrels and even hosted the Eastern League All Star game. While an old stadium that lacks in modern amenities, The Diamond makes up exponentially in character. Like the other classic parks in Virginia (Salem, Norfolk), you have to check out the view from up top. A word of caution: do it before too many beers as the GA bleachers (with seat backs) have absolutely no hand rails as you climb what seems a mile high to the top.
By: Matthew Preslar
Everything about Richmond, Virginia (RVA) is classic, scenic, and simple. This includes The Diamond, located on Boulevard. Classic and simple: the name of the building and the street it sits on. Not simple, however, is the story of The Flying Squirrels.
The Eastern League is a AA league in Minor League Baseball. This league historically has been rooted in the Northeastern part of the country. In fact the current Flying Squirrels have been passed around to several cities and sources indicate they are currently on their 9th team “identity.” Many minor league franchises often rebrand when they move location or partner with a new Major League franchise.
RVA’s The Diamond sat vacant of professional baseball after the 2008 season as the Braves AAA left when Richmond wouldn’t build a new stadium. With baseball business struggling in Connecticut, ownership pulled out of the heart of the league and moved to the old AAA stadium. While a geographic stretch for league rivals, Richmond’s large stadium (seating criteria that meets AAA standards) has paced Eastern League attendance many years since the relocation.
While continuing to age, The Diamond reached 10 years this season as home of the Flying Squirrels and even hosted the Eastern League All Star game. While an old stadium that lacks in modern amenities, The Diamond makes up exponentially in character. Like the other classic parks in Virginia (Salem, Norfolk), you have to check out the view from up top. A word of caution: do it before too many beers as the GA bleachers (with seat backs) have absolutely no hand rails as you climb what seems a mile high to the top.
OUR RATING:
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TICKET VALUE 10/10
CONCESSIONS 8/10
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS 4/5
ATMOSPHERE 10/10
CHARACTER 9/10
PARKING 5/5
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