R-Braves: Three more years at The Diamond
It has been one false start after another for a replacement stadium for the International League Richmond Braves, who play in The Diamond just outside of Richmond, a grey old style stadium with high seat pitches, atrocious press and player facilities and a neighborhood consisting of warehouses and a seedy looking bus station.
The latest development plan is for an area of Richmond known as “The Boulevard”, which would consist of a mixed use retail and residential development and a new ballpark for the R-Braves. The city is still seeking a lead developer for the project, and a three year lease extension gives the team and city some breathing room to do this right.
A franchise relocation for this team is not on the horizon. Says IL President Randy Mobley -
“There is absolutely no one else in the fray that is in a situation where they’re looking to go elsewhere.
It’s not as if there’s someone on deck waiting for another opportunity,” he said. “It’s just not there. There’s not much of a gray area on this one. It’s pretty darn solid.”
