We’ve reported in this space in the past about the impending move of the International League Richmond Braves to suburban Atlanta, Georgia for the 2009 season. There they will be known as the Gwinnett Braves and will play in a new ballpark which is hastily being built along I-85, in order to be ready in time for April 2009.

Yet back in Richmond, the R-Braves aren’t ready to call it quits just yet. Despite pressure from civic officials in Richmond, the Braves have yet to opt out of their lease at The Diamond, which runs through 2009.

Why the hurry? Richmond is trying to plan their baseball future in a post Braves world, and one idea has the AA Eastern League Erie Seawolves relocating to Richmond. There are also RFP’s due for ballpark redevelopment proposals, none of which can move forward until the R-Braves’ departure is a totally done deal.

Meanwhile back here in USRT country, we have penciled in a planned trip to Gwinnett County for 2009, and that has us saying “&$%^@*)!!!” rather than jumping for joy. Why, you wonder? The distance will involve a flight rather than drive, plus we just did a return visit to Atlanta’s Turner Field a couple years ago so no pressing reason to see that venue again when there are several other MLB yards overdue for another looksie. So that means lots of expense just to visit a AAA ballpark, and maybe tie in some A-ball teams like the Rome Braves or the Greenville Drive.

*Sigh*, but that is what we do… we are the Ultimate Sports Road Trip after all.

If things fall into place as planned, no less than three new destinations will be in the travel planning hopper over the next two seasons in the International League.

Of course, we already have Lehigh Valley on the schedule this year, as the Iron Pigs have begun play at Coca Cola Park in Allentown. In fact, that roadie is coming up in a couple of weeks as part of a four day, four venue trip that will also include a farewell visit to Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets, and AA venues in New Britain and Norwich, Connecticut.

Here are the future destinations:
CHARLOTTE

2010 is looking like the most likely opening date for a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights, according to the Charlotte Observer. Yes there is a lawsuit trying to stop construction of the new stadium. Imagine that! Thought that sort of crap only happens in Buffalo.

GWINNETT COUNTY

They’ve started grading and clearing land at the site of the new ballpark for the Gwinnett County Braves, who are scheduled to relocate from Richmond at the conclusion of the 2008 season. Since it’s almost June, getting a stadium built in 10 months seems quite aggressive. Gwinnett County is just northeast of Atlanta, Georgia and will be the IL’s most southern outpost since the days when Havana fielded a team in the league.

COLUMBUS

Construction of Huntington Park in downtown Columbus’ Arena District is well underway, with an April, 2009 opening planned. The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington has been in Columbus covering the Bisons series there this week, but has made nary a mention of the new stadium and its progress in his articles so far. We hope Mike got down to the construction site for a looksee. We will await his full report!

-Andrew Kulyk