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
Richmond, Virginia

HOME OF THE:
RICHMOND FLYING SQUIRRELS

MLB AFFILIATE:
SAN FRANSISCO GIANTS

BUILT: 1985
CAPACITY: 9,560
MiLB LEVEL: DOUBLE-A

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Review from August 31. 2019
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.

OUR RATING: 
47 / 50

TICKET VALUE  10/10

  • Buy your seats in advance apparently... buying at door on game day costs $3 more for lowest seats.
  • Can sit in front rows for $15 each, respectable price for AA level
  • After experiencing the ballpark, we recommend buying the $9 GA and sitting up HIGH. Great view of Richmond skyline, and a nice overhead view of the game with ample seating options available.

CONCESSIONS  8/10

  • Prices were a little high for everything. Signage indicated state/local taxes were over 12%...not great on game day but the City of Richmond owns and maintains the stadium so some tax money goes back to The Diamond. 
  • Combo baskets that included small fries & bottled soda for $11
  • Classic ballpark fare... including Buffalo tenders & a themed favorite: "squirrelly fries"
  • Papa John’s pizza (only stand in the park with souvenir soda cup)
  • Souvenir soda cups commemorated 10th anniversary season of Flying Squirrels AND hosting Eastern League All Star game this season
  • Incredibly long lines and only one location with our preferred souvenir cup
  • Had some DRINK ONLY stands to manage the crowds
  • A few vendors even working up top in the GA
  • Not a ton of variety but everything seemed to fit the model... be good at what you have
  • Dessert stand even included REAL ice cream in Flying Squirrels helmets.

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS  4/5

  • Nutzy the mascot was all over the park all game long, even up top in the GA. Acted like a real squirrel jumping over seats and bouncing around from section to section interacting with the fans
  • Inflatables located near Team Store were deflated & for some reason not operating for the night
  • Kids menu at concession stands

ATMOSPHERE  10/10

  • ​Awesomely athletic mascot, Nutzy,  jumped around and raised the energy in the crowd
  • Much local pride; Framed banners around stadium featuring autographs of those in attendance on opening day each season. 
  • Signage on walk up, giant inflatable flying squirrel, "squirrelly gate" entrance enhanced the excitement on the approach to the game.
  • Special entrance gate for people with no bags.
  • Fireworks during the National Anthem...
  • ”In Your Face” fireworks post game where the paper actually fell on fans at the game.
  • Several paintings/murals/artwork featuring Richmond icons and local flavor; reminiscent to us of McCormick Field in Asheville
  • The Diamond is the former home of the AAA Richmond Braves. During his Hall of Fame speech, Chipper Jones even spoke of a fight that happened at The Diamond against Jim Thome and the Charlotte Knights in the early 90’s, few if any minor league parks are mentioned in HOF speeches.
  • Being such a classic ballpark, it was nice to think of all the legends who have played in The Diamond

CHARACTER  9/10

  • Former AAA stadium which has to have over 10,000 seats. Like many older stadiums, a lot of seats are VERY HIGH in a GA section.
  • A classic stadium built with a lot of concrete, even no hand rails leading up the stairs in the GA. Older style construction with concrete beams “holding up” upper level made main concourse a little bit of a maze...hard to walk linearly 
  • Huge team store with all types of Flying Squirrels/10th anniversary/Eastern League All Star Game merchandise
  • Historic feel much like the entire area of Richmond
  • No Braves references as they pulled their AAA on bad terms in 2008
  • Now Giants AA, many banners UPSTAIRS show former Flying Squirrels that were part of San Francisco Giant World Series winners in 2010, 2012, 2014...a great time to start affiliation with that franchise. 

PARKING  5/5

  • $5 paved lot just outside of stadium. Lot is run by the city; featured a flying squirrel on the ticket
  • Parking back of Centerfield gave a glimpse of how upright the seating is.

TICKET VALUE
(10 points)

• Ticket Prices
​• View from Seat

​CONCESSIONS
​(10 points)

• Variety, Quality & Price of Food
• Variety of Drinks / Souvenir Cups
• Length of Lines at Concession Stands

​FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
​(5 points)

• Play Areas
• In-Between Inning Activities & Contests
• ​Mascot
• Family Bathrooms

​ATMOSPHERE
​(10 points)

• Local Experience
• Sound-Effects & Music
• Programs
• ​Restrooms

​CHARACTER
​(10 points)

• Home Team Uniforms & Colors
• Architecture of Stadium
• History of Stadium
​• Tributes to MLB Affiliate / Local Players
• Location of Stadium & Surrounding Scenery

​PARKING
(5 points)

• Price for Parking
• ​Size, Quality & Location of Lot