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PopUp Market at The Diamond Will Run Through July

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Every Saturday at the home of the Flying Squirrels, local businesses set up in the parking lot for The PopUp Market at the Diamond: a bonanza of local food, clothing, arts, crafts, and more!

The usual nest for the hometown baseball team converts on Saturdays to a haven for local merchants and shoppers. 

The PopUp Market at The Diamond baseball stadium where the Richmond Flying Squirrels play is a new outdoor market for small business owners. Vendors set up in the parking lot to sell products like food, clothing, home goods and art. 

Brian Sullivan, CEO of River City Festivals, partnered with The Diamond to make the pop-up event possible. It launched in early April. Over 2,000 visitors have attended each Saturday, Sullivan stated over email. He anticipates the audience to grow this summer until the event ends in July.

The market is an opportunity for businesses “to get back to work,” according to Sullivan. 

”The only way to help a small business is to give them the opportunity to help themselves, and that’s what we’re doing,” Sullivan stated. 

The Diamond is an ideal spot because it’s a familiar landmark in a central location with ample parking, Sullivan said. The community’s response to the market so far has been “overwhelmingly positive,” according to Sullivan.

“To be honest with you, as strange as this may sound, we haven’t had one negative comment on Facebook or Instagram or email or anything,” Sullivan stated. He added that many of the vendors and food trucks from the market’s first event sold out.

The open-air market takes place outside with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in place. 

Sullivan found vendors by researching other events. He also reached out to vendors on social media and posted advertisements on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy. 

Vendors can register on the River City Festivals’ website. Approved vendors are scheduled for specific weeks to help avoid competition between similar vendors, according to Sullivan. Each vendor pays a $45 fee for reserving their market space. The money goes toward advertising costs for the event, Sullivan stated in an email. The website lists upcoming vendors several weeks in advance.

Monique Thornhill poses with her CitrisSan booth at the PopUp Market at the Diamond. Photo by Aaron Royce.

Monique Thornhill, owner of hand sanitizer brand CitrisSan, said she was drawn to the market after seeing other events hosted by River City Festival. The company hosts markets, a food truck rally, and wine, beer and cider tasting events throughout the Richmond area, according to its website.

“I love the way he organizes everything,” Thornhill said. 

Thornhill also works full-time for the State Corporation Commission. She said the market helps increase business owners’ livelihoods, especially if they don’t have other income sources and were impacted by the pandemic. Vendors’ products are more special due to the effort put into them, and money from events like the market can also help them employ others locally, Thornhill said.

“It’s not always about the money all the time,” Thornhill said. “It’s about just getting your brand out and helping the communities, keeping the dollars locally.”

Lauren Delaney sells ’90s inspired soy candles under the name Pretty on the Inside Candles. The market’s success also comes from peoples’ desire to shop locally and be outside of the house after being cooped up for a year, Delaney said.

River City Festivals will book vendors through the end of July, with plans for the market to return in September and October. 

The event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. There are food and beer trucks in addition to vendors. The event is free to enter. 

“We are here every weekend, rain or shine,” Sullivan said.

Written by Aaron Royce, Capital News Service. Top Photo: The Diamond baseball stadium towers over booths at its PopUp Market. Photo by Aaron Royce.

GWAR Will Eat Your Car (No, Really)

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Most people are not doing well during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the members of GWAR are not most people. The intergalactic metal gods have taken the pandemic in stride. Blothar took time out of his day of conquest to talk about GWAR’s plan for their upcoming drive-in shows.

GWAR, the intergalactic alien metal band that has made Richmond its home for over three decades, has been doing well during the COVID-19 pandemic — at least according to lead vocalist Blothar.

“We’re doing well, but that’s because humanity is doing very poorly.” Blothar said. “So, naturally, it’s a time of celebration and cheer for GWAR. I mean, we’re wondering if there’s going to be any of you left by the time that this is all through.”

Blothar also said that the members of GWAR are isolating themselves from one another, but not because of the pandemic. “We don’t really like to be around each other anyway,” he said, “so being forced to work remotely has certainly had its perks.”

Blothar has recently relocated from GWAR’s Antarctic fortress to Sarasota, Florida. “It’s a fun time with the aging rock stars,” he said. “I hang out with Brian Johnson From AC/DC. We have a good time doing karaoke with the guys from Obituary.”

Image via GWAR/Facebook

But isolation can be boring, so GWAR is holding two drive-in shows at The Diamond parking lot in Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 10th. According to Blothar, this is the only GWAR live show they’re doing in 2020. The first show sold out quickly, but at the time of writing this article, tickets are still available for purchase for the 5:45 p.m. show.

There are three different ticket tiers available for purchase based on the proximity of the stage. A single ticket grants access to the concert for one vehicle, which can have up to four passengers. Vehicles will be parked in a socially-distanced manner, and if concert goers would like, they’re invited to sit directly adjacent to their vehicles in lawn chairs or blankets. Safety guidelines will be strictly enforced, and patrons will not be allowed to leave their adjacent vehicle area unless using the restroom, where they must wear a mask.

Despite the different environment of the concert, GWAR is confident fans will have a great time.

“What fans are going to see is a GWAR show,” Blothar said. “A classic GWAR show, with all of the trappings. It’s just that they’ll have to use their windshield washer fluid a lot… I think it’s going to be a very different experience.”

Blothar did say that fans should also expect new jokes and new context. “It’s going to be topical,” he said. “Topical like an ointment. Both in its meaningful, and you can spread it around.”

GWAR looks forward to the drive-in shows. “It’s going to be great for us because cars are ultimately a lot better looking than people,” said Blothar. “I think it’s going to be a really fun way to see GWAR… And we’ve definitely got some things planned to make it more fun, given the particular circumstance.”

Photo via GWAR/Facebook

Even though that particular circumstance may not be the best, GWAR is excited for the potential to do something different than they have ever done. “This is just an interesting sort of arrangement of a canvas that we haven’t dealt with before,” Blothar said.

GWAR is also excited to be working with The Broadberry Entertainment Group. “It’s taking a while for the [music] industry to recalibrate under these conditions,” Blothar said. “And Richmond is actually pretty fortunate to have a creative promoter in that town that will work to facilitate these types of events.” Blothar also said that things are being done and discussed about the potential of future shows, but because of the difficulty in recalibration across the world, things have been difficult.

However, according to Blothar, there will be a GWAR live-stream event. He couldn’t give specific details, though. “Let’s just say that at some time in the very near future, we’ll be doing a very special live stream event which is going to be very exciting,” Blothar explained.

As for the drive-in shows, they are a special event for people to go see GWAR live, something that Blothar thinks is a necessity. “GWAR is a live entity,” he said. “We’re something that you need to see live in order to appreciate.”

What’s more, this event will be a bit of a rarity — GWAR isn’t planning on doing another show like this in Richmond anytime soon. “We may be doing more socially distant shows in different locations, but this is a special event.”

More than ever, it’s become increasingly important to support local musicians. As Blothar pointed out, the situation today has made it a lot harder for people to make a living in music. “There’s a lot of musicians that you respect and admire who are making good music and making albums, but they’re working people that are out there trying hard,” he said.

Photo by Joey Senft, via GWAR/Facebook

Blothar also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a different sort of problem in the music industry: People are leaving. Musicians aren’t able to play shows at venues, but at the same time, people who work in the music industry who are not musicians themselves are looking for work in other avenues.

“It’s very sad because what you’re seeing is an exodus of talent in the industry,” said Blothar. “The people who run sound… These are usually pretty qualified engineers who could work in another field.”

Blothar said that shows like the ones they’re planning at the Diamond are the sort of thing that helps local musicians earn money during these times. “And I know that sounds ridiculous when people think about how much they just paid for a Rolling Stones ticket,” he said. “But not everybody is The Rolling Stones.”

GWAR is definitely not the Rolling Stones.

Tickets for the 5:45 PM show are still available, and prices per car range from $140 to VIP Spew Row tickets (“Your car will be spewed!” the ordering page warns. Sounds good to us), which are available for $199.95 per car. Place your orders at Etix.

Top Photo by Vince Edwards, via GWAR/Facebook

VA Pride Presents The Birdcage at The Diamond

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Join VA Pride and the Flying Squirrels for PRIDE Movie Night at the Diamond on Tuesday, September 1, featuring LGBTQ classic The Birdcage! You know you want to.

We’re all going a little nuts from being shut up inside all the time. And we’re all at least a little sad that VA PrideFest, which would have been taking place in just a few short weeks, has been cancelled for this year. But thankfully, Virginia Pride knows exactly what we’re all going through. That’s why they’re bringing us a delightful opportunity to have a socially-distanced outdoor outing featuring an all-time classic LGBTQ film.

Yes, it’s true — on Tuesday, September 1 at The Diamond, VA Pride will be collaborating with the Flying Squirrels to bring us PRIDE Movie Night at The Diamond, featuring The Birdcage! Now, if you’re an LGBTQ person of a certain age, this movie is sure to have tons of resonance for you. I for one saw it at The Byrd the year it came out, when I was 20. The place was full of boisterous queers who all had a blast watching one of the first mainstream American films to depict drag, gay marriage, and gay parenting in a totally positive fashion.

To sum up for those of you who’ve somehow missed this one thus far: Robin Williams plays the gay owner of a drag club in South Beach. His partner, played by Nathan Lane, is the club’s star attraction, performing drag under the name Starina. Williams’s son has fallen in love with a woman whose father is a conservative Republican Senator. Before the marriage can occur, the families have to interact. And sure enough, hilarity ensues.

If you haven’t seen it, telling you any more than that would be criminal. Suffice it to say, you’re in for a treat. And thankfully, you’ll be able to enjoy this communal gathering in properly socially distanced fashion. Instead of everybody cramming into a vintage movie theatre together, the outfield at the Diamond will be divided into 10’x10′ and 10’x20′ squares. Up to four people will be allowed in the 10’x10′ squares, eight in the 10’x20′ squares. That way, you can enjoy this event in as safe a fashion as possible while experiencing a communal good time.

Admission to this event is $8 per person. Concessions are available, and can be ordered in advance at the same time that you order tickets (make sure you select the correct date for the showing you’re attending). All orders will be available for contactless pickup at Rosie’s Bistro in the Bullpen at the Diamond. There will also be a credit card-only beverage station on the third base side of the park, in case you need to pick up some more drinks during the show. Blankets and pillows are encouraged for maximum comfort. However, chairs are not allowed.

Sounds like a great way to get out of the house, right? So don’t hesitate — join VA Pride and the Flying Squirrels this Tuesday, September 1, for PRIDE Movie Night at the Diamond. Doors open at 6:35 PM, show starts at 7:35 PM (right at sunset). Don’t be late!

You can purchase tickets and concessions for PRIDE Movie Night at the Diamond by going to milb.com/richmond/events/movie-nights. Be safe and have fun! For more info, check out the Facebook event page.

What Did You Think? Of Course They Were Gonna Get Up And Get It

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The duo known as Get Up And Get It are video producers, social media influencers, and event planners. But first and foremost, JRoth and Hallelujah God-Bless-Us are dream chasers determined to get the most out of life.

Do you make the most out of your 24 hours? For the duo known as Get Up And Get It, this isn’t a challenge, but a way of life.

“It’s my testimony,” said Hallelujah God-Bless-Us. “It’s not easy, you know, chasing the dream, and it goes for 24 hours. I’ve been homeless going out there chasing the dream, not just in the States, but also in foreign countries. I’m trying the best you can.”

Hallelujah God-Bless-Us, 28, is one half of Get Up And Get It. He became a proponent of inspiring others to make the most of his 24 daily hours after learning how to do so himself.

If hustling was easy then everyone would do it, but this is why the duo use their love for life as motivation to inspire anyone and everyone to feel exactly the same. Whether it be water gun fights, noodle battles, or showing strangers their own beauty by using a mirror, Get Up and Get It won’t discriminate when it comes to brightening their day — and having strangers join them in doing so. 

You might recognize Hallelujah and his counterpart, Josh Roth, 24 — who prefers to go by JRoth — from their viral skits filmed around Richmond, or as the masterminds behind last year’s RVA Splashfest event at the Diamond. The group, named after the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony song, may not have officially broken the Guinness World Record for largest water gun fight last year, due to no Guinness Book representative being present to officiate the head count of close to 4000 attendees. But the amount of sheer joy brought to the packed parking lot of the Flying Squirrels stadium was enough for them — not to mention that the proceeds went to the nonprofit Splash, whose mission is to provide clean water for kids in need.

JRoth was the original creator of Get Up and Get It. “I started Get Up & Get It back in 2016 as something I would just say, going to the gym and hustling my business each day,” said Roth. Call it fate or an act of god that he met Hallelujah in the VCU library; they have been living by those words ever since.

“We met at VCU in the creative room at the Library,” JRoth explains. “We were both editing videos and around each other, and ended up working on a video together. And then it just kept going from there. The phrase ‘Get Up & Get It’ stuck, and then became an actual business where we inspire individuals to become the best version of themself.”

Almost 48 hours after their chance encounter, they were both on a plane to Miami, seeking to inspire others by using whatever creative outlet that their hearts desired. They experimented with several different concepts when they started, but it was the water guns that resonated with the audience and sprung them to social media superstardom. 

Hallelujah’s TikTok page boasts close to 720,000 followers and over 10 million views. He has 52,000 followers on Instagram. JRoth has around 13,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 Twitter followers. He grabbed over 11.5 million views on his most viral video on Twitter, the Water Gun Challenge with Strangers. The duo were even featured on Good Morning America because of their mission of spreading joy.

COVID-19 may have delayed Get Up and Get It hosting the second Splashfest, but they are currently living by their moniker and ‘getting it.’ Hallelujah recently relocated to the West Coast and has been carrying on the skit aspect of Get Up and Get It. JRoth, on the other hand, just finished up the first season of his podcast, the Get Up and Get It Show. He provides advice by being transparent with his failures and success stories, in order to inspire viewers to follow in his footsteps, and Get Up and Get It.

Hallelujah hasn’t been overtly political about the current conflict over systemic racism and police brutality in our nation, but he has been using his videos to subtly make a statement during this crisis. He knows his worth as a Black influencer and has chosen to take a diplomatic approach. Despite the way the protests have been covered as a very adversarial situation, he has gotten both ‘sides’ to join in the fun. And yes, that does mean law enforcement. Hallelujah takes extreme pride in his Blackness, and feels that the best way to have some sense of peace is to extend an olive branch in order to recruit more to stand beside the Black Lives Matter movement. These protests are not, in his view, about White vs BIPOC, but Love vs Hate.

“With the frequency that America and the nation is on right now, I do feel as if we are providing a different vibe for people to really see that Black lives do matter. Because love matters,” said Hallelujah. “I feel that we know we are telling a different side of the story that’s not seen or tried, especially with the way that we’re interacting with strangers. I mean, me as a Black man interacting with all types of colors and showing that. Love is something that can be easily sparked by sowing this, giving you a hula hoop or quoting a mirror, or even picking up a water gun, is so effortless that we can, as a community, have a happy ending.”

For Get Up and Get It, their online presence isn’t all about going viral. They are just doing what is organic to them. As their popularity has grown, they’ve made the decision to adapt and grow with the audiences feedback. They see it as doing God’s work, and feel that God has continued to deliver his blessing to the group and everyone affected by their presence. For instance, they recently just happened to run into Petersburg’s Uriyah, which led to collaboration with his Grind Pray Clothing brand.

“You know, a lot of us are walking not even knowing if tomorrow is promised,” said Hallelujah. “That does not mean that you don’t have to have joy that is so overwhelming that you can’t contain it in that vessel you call yourself, so you must spread it to someone else. Just know that the struggle is real.”

And by the way, to answer the elephant in the room, Hallelujah God-Bless-Us isn’t his birth name.

 “The meaning of Hallelujah is to praise the Lord. It’s just kind of a double whammy, when you know someone is giving love to me, Hallelujah, they’re kind of low-key saying praise the Lord as well. This is why I go by the name Hallelujah, which is my name, for sure,” said Hallelujah. “I’m Haitian for sure, I know, my birth [last] name being Pierre-Louis. Nonetheless, that was a name given to us by someone who used to be called a master, and God is my master. So consequently, I want to satisfy that even after, during, and before, despite my shortcomings, to always be able to say praise the Lord.”

Right now, despite currently living on separate coasts, Hallelujah and JRoth are continuing Get Up And Get It’s message into the future. As Hallelujah continues to produce video content, JRoth is in the process of creating season 2 of the Get Up And Get It Show. But while a date is not currently set for a reunion, one is sure to happen at some point in the near future. When it does, at the very least, we can expect more viral videos, as well as an official record-breaking event once COVID is over. And of course, we can expect a continuation of Get Up And Get It’s priority mission: the spreading of positivity.

Be In The Room When ‘Hamilton’ Happens In Richmond

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A fireworks show at the Diamond last weekend got Broadway fans hyped for the arrival of mega-hit musical Hamilton, which is playing at the Altria Theater until December 8.

Richmond resident Cat Peddicord never thought a song from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton would have her sitting in the freezing cold on a Saturday night. Yet nevertheless, on November 16, Peddicord and her dad came out to the Diamond baseball stadium to watch selected songs from her favorite musical become a firework spectacle.

“Hamilton was actually the first thing that introduced me to Broadway, so it’s kind of like a big thing for me to be here,” Peddicord said.

Almost 600 fans joined Peddicord and her dad at the stadium, bringing blankets and buying hot chocolate to help endure the chilling temperatures.

The Broadway musical premiered in 2015. Through rap and song, it tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, America’s “ten-dollar founding father without a father,” and his rise from the West Indies to U.S. Congress.

First lady of Virginia Pamela Northam and Tony Award-winning actor Chris Jackson, who starred in the role of George Washington in the original Broadway cast, were in attendance at the Diamond. Jackson described combining fireworks and music from Hamilton as genius, and said that events like this one were similar to a church experience.

“It’s allowing our spirits to be open and exposed, and to feel something that maybe we don’t allow ourselves to feel in our everyday lives,” Jackson said.

Fans who purchased VIP tickets had the opportunity to meet Jackson before the event. Before the firework show, Northam, on behalf of the governor, declared Nov. 16, “Hamilton Day” in the commonwealth. 

Hamilton actor Chris Jackson and VMHC president and CEO Jamie Bosket. (Photo via VCU-CNS)

During the performance, fireworks were timed according to a selection of songs from the soundtrack. Songs like “Alexander Hamilton” and “One Last Time” were cut short to meet the number of fireworks being used.

The event was hosted by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit, “Founding Frenemies: Hamilton and the Virginians,” which explores the relationship between Hamilton and Virginia’s key founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

“We have been looking forward to Hamilton coming to Richmond for months since it was announced,” said Tracy Schneider, VMHC’s vice president of marketing and communications. “We thought it would be fitting if we did something in the museum, since a lot of the founding fathers are from Virginia and a part of the show.”

Much fanfare has surrounded the Altria Theater’s announcement that Hamilton will play at the theater Nov. 19 to Dec. 8 as part of the 2019-2020 Broadway in Richmond season. This is the first time the national tour of Hamilton will visit Richmond. Previously, the tour held shows in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco.

“Thank God,” said local fan Morgan Schinkel. “We’ve been so excited.”

Excited Hamilton fans enjoy the fireworks show at The Diamond (Photo via VCU-CNS)

Freelance writer and editor Lia Tremblay said she is excited that more local people have the opportunity to see it, and to understand why she hasn’t been able to stop talking about the play since she became a fan.

Altria Theater has been preparing for the 24-show run since the national tour was announced. Audrey Booth, community and municipal operations director for Altria, said the theater is working with the Richmond Police Department and Virginia Commonwealth University to handle issues like parking prior to the show’s opening. Altria Theater expects to sell over 3,000 tickets per show. Booth recommends that ticket holders arrive early to park in the West Main Street Parking Deck. 

Peddicord recommends that people who haven’t seen the musical attend the national tour in Richmond. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or at hamilton.etix.com. If fans can’t make it to the Richmond dates, the national tour will head to Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall from Dec. 10 to Dec. 29. The tour also is drawing fans who’ve already seen the musical for a second helping. 

“I have already seen Hamilton once,” Peddicord said. “It was so amazing. It’s so different listening to the album than watching it live.”

Written By Christopher Brown, Capital News Service. Top Photo via VCU-CNS

Are Flying Squirrels Endangered?

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A new proposal from Major League Baseball would radically restructure the minor leagues, and many now fear for the future of Richmond’s beloved baseball team.

Baseball and the city of Richmond have been synonymous since the game’s introduction to the city almost 140 years ago. There have been only a few years between 1880 and today in which the city has not hosted a professional baseball team in some capacity. Richmonders have always loved their baseball, and summer nights at the Diamond are still a favorite for thousands across the city.

But a new proposal introduced by Major League Baseball that would drastically restructure the minor leagues has left many fearful for the future of professional baseball in Richmond. 

The proposal would reduce Minor League Baseball from 160 teams to 120 teams starting in 2021. Those other 40 teams, all of whom are classified as lower Class A or below, would then participate in what MLB is calling a Dream League. This league would be a short-season league and would require little to no travel for the teams involved.

As it stands, the proposal also suggests that some teams would reclassify from Triple A to high Class A, and some would reclassify from high Class A to Triple A. Teams moving up to Triple A would have to pay $12 million to do so, while teams moving down to high Class A would receive $10 million in compensation.

Lastly, and perhaps most pertinent to baseball in Richmond, the proposal would dramatically rework leagues at all levels of the minor leagues. Some leagues would lose teams to geographical regrouping, while other leagues in regions with denser concentrations of teams would grow in size.

The issue at hand, which should not come as a surprise, is money. It is expensive for major league clubs to pay for their affiliated teams at lower levels to travel, house players during road series, extend leasing agreements with ballparks, and so on. However, this situation might actually favor Richmond’s current Double A pride and joy, the Flying Squirrels.

Photo via the Richmond Flying Squirrels/Facebook

In 2016, the Squirrels agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with VCU, in regards to a new ballpark being constructed near the current Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission facility next to the Diamond. A new ballpark, which is desperately overdue, has been a subject of controversy and debate in Richmond for decades now. But the relationship between VCU and the Squirrels makes the situation in Richmond truly unique, according to Scott Mayer, associate director of college counseling at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, and author of Baseball and Richmond: a History of the Professional Game, 1884 – 2000.

“I think the Squirrels have done a lot of amazing things in the city, and have been involved in the city, in a way that other minor league teams haven’t,” Mayer said. “I think it’d be awesome to be able to do something that’s beneficial for both organizations, because neither of them can afford to build a ballpark [alone].”

A quick glance through the record books shows that since the San Francisco Giants agreed to move their Double A team to Richmond in 2010, the Squirrels have only made the playoffs twice. But as Mayer noted, at the level the Squirrels currently compete on, wins and losses are not what matters most.

“[The Squirrels] finished sixth in the last two years; slightly better the year before,” Mayer pointed out. “Yet every year, they’re the league leader in attendance, if not one of the league leaders. It’s not about who the players are or the quality of baseball, it’s about the fan experience. And that’s where I think the Squirrels excel — in delivering an amazing fan experience. Also, they’ve done a great job of becoming part of the community. They’re consistently getting out and doing all kinds of things in the community, making a presence doing different kinds of volunteer work or giving money to charitable organizations. They’ve made themselves a part of Richmond.”

Mayer, a minor league baseball historian, pointed out that baseball in Richmond has always been about the social gathering aspect of the game. During urbanization in the 1930s and 1940s, young professionals would often found social networking groups and play baseball at their events. But the game was not the main event — that was the dinner afterwards hosted by members of the club. As clubs grew larger, the need for better athletes grew and eventually, clubs began competing against one another until leagues were formed. The rest is history.

Photo via the Richmond Flying Squirrels/Facebook

For those who remain perplexed by Richmond’s vote to name the team the Flying Squirrels, it’s worth noting that Richmond has been home to a number of teams with interesting names: Legislators, Climbers, Bloody Shirts, Crows, and Blue Birds, to name a few. 

Many fans of the storied Richmond Braves franchise might be surprised to hear that the Braves were not in fact the longest tenured baseball team in the city’s history. That title belongs to the Colts, who played in Richmond from 1907 to 1953 — though they did not field a team from 1915 to 1917.

There has also been confusion for a number of years now about why a major league club in San Francisco would place a Double A affiliate 2,870 miles away in Richmond, Virginia. Mayer noted that this is actually a smart move from a logistical perspective. The Giants’ Triple A club, the Fresno Grizzlies, are nearby when the team is playing at home on the West Coast.  If they need to fill a spot in the lineup for a day or two, they can call up a player from Fresno. However, if the Giants playing on the East Coast, players in Fresno are not as readily available. That is why the placement of Richmond is strategic in the management of the organization as a whole.

As for the proposal itself, as Mayer noted, it is expected for proposals of this magnitude to “aim high” upon inception. It is likely that the fierce pushback already being felt from many minor league clubs will lead to the restructuring of the proposal itself. 

And as for the potential effects of MLB’s proposal on Richmond, it seems as though the proposal poses no immediate threat to the existence of baseball in Richmond or the Flying Squirrels as we know it. So “Go Nutz,” everybody.

Top Photo via Richmond Flying Squirrels/Twitter