Richmond Sports

[burt]

Squirrels' management appears content with SF Giants affiliation.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...21s1-ar-464865/

Edited August 21, 2010 by burt

[burt]

There are not many games left in the Flying Squirrel's first Richmond season.

Why not take your best friend to a game? Tonight is Bark in the Park night.

From today's Richmond dot com:

http://www2.richmond.com/content/2010/aug/05/bark-park-returns-richmond/

Edited August 24, 2010 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

We took our four legged friend!

[wrldcoupe4]

[burt]

I know that dog! He's a Welsh hound with an emphasis on the last sylable of his name.

Keep those umps in line, my celtic friend...and bite, if necessary.

[HopHead]

It looks like the Nationals will continue their player development agreement with Double-A affiliate Harrisburg for the next two seasons. So, I'm guessing then the Squirrels will likely continue with the Giants after this season. This really was a good opportunity for that Nats to expand their exposure in the Richmond market, oh well...

Senators, Nats extend PDC

[burt]

It looks like the Nationals will continue their player development agreement with Double-A affiliate Harrisburg for the next two seasons. So, I'm guessing then the Squirrels will likely continue with the Giants after this season. This really was a good opportunity for that Nats to expand their exposure in the Richmond market, oh well...

Senators, Nats extend PDC

You're right, dbull. The Squirrels and the San Francisco Giants have signed on for two more years of affiliation.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2010/sep/03/squi03s-ar-485151/

[burt]

The Squirrels will not be a contender in the Eastern League play-offs, but they've done very well at the box office.

Last night they attracted 8,402 fans to come out and watch them lose.

So far, Reading (Pa.) leads the league in per game attendance for the season. But, if the Squirrels can pull in 22,460 in its final three games this weekend, which seems likely, they will top Reading's 6,615 average (Richmond's per-game average to date is 6,577.)

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2010/sep/04/squi04-ar-486686/

[burt]

Yesterday's sell-out at The Diamond cinched Richmond's place as #1 in overall attendance (457,273 in 69 openings) among teams in The Eastern League. Reading drew 456,466 in 69 games and Richmond has one more game today.

They also won the game!

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-1-0-ar-488555/

Edited September 6, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The Squirrels won their last game of their first season at The Diamond and lead The Eastern League in attendance with 463,842. Reading, PA drew 456,466.

Reading has had the highest per game attendance for 7 of the past 8 years in the EL, but this year slipped to second place with 6,615 -- eleven less than Richmond's per game average of 6,626.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ui07-ar-489761/

Edited September 7, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Tournament will stay at The Richmond Coliseum until 2014 with an options to renew through 2016.

The tournament attracted 44,000 people to last year's games and was a significant economic factor for downtown Richmond.

Meanwhile a study funded by local businesses to recommend massive renovation or replacement of the Coliseum is scheduled for release next week.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...at07-ar-490699/

Edited September 7, 2010 by burt

[Icetera]

More talk on the new stadium discussions on WRVA this morning (now that the Squirrels signed a 2 year contract) with a local Richmond council member [D] (forgot her name). It sounds like there will be no interest this year, though maybe another study in the future... We really need more studies.

[burt]

More talk on the new stadium discussions on WRVA this morning (now that the Squirrels signed a 2 year contract) with a local Richmond council member [D] (forgot her name). It sounds like there will be no interest this year, though maybe another study in the future... We really need more studies.

Speaking of studies, Michael Paul Williams in his RTD column says "Today the city will unveil the first phase of a consultant's recommendation on The (Richmond) Coliseum."

The Los Angeles based consultants were hired by a consortium of Richmond area business executives to study the fate of the Coliseum.

[burt]

Atlanta is first, Charleston (SC) second, and RICHMOND is voted the third best tennis city in America.

From today's RVA News:

http://rvanews.com/entertainment/op-ed/rva-named-3rd-best-tennis-town-wins-25k/31492?utm_source=Weekly+Digest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=55b2e6315f-RVANews_Weekly_Digest

[burt]

I watched about 10 minutes of the opening ceremonies and another 10 minutes of the NASCAR Sprint races on ABC last night until my eyes were twirling in my head. Today's RTD reported that "about 95,000 people" turned out for the event.

The oval surrounding the track at Richmond International Raceway looked full of people to me, and I believe it has a capacity of abourt 107,000.

I liked the sky-diver landing with the huge American flag best of all.

A guy with local ties named Denny Hamlin won.

Check out the Pre-Race and After Race slideshows in the "Related Links" box in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/news/2010/sep/12/scup12-ar-501195/

Edited September 12, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The University of Richmond's intimate 8,700-seat football stadium will be unveiled this weekend.

Take a look at the slideshow from today's RTD:

http://static.mgnetwork.com/rtd/slideshows/20100914_urfb/

[burt]

The University of Richmond will welcome a sell-out crowd of 8,700 to its new on-campus stadium tomorrow when it meets Elon College on the field. It may be miniscule (only New Hampshire and Rhode Island in the CAA have smaller football facilities) but it's the newest and probably best equipped in the league.

Years ago, when UR began playing "home" games at City Stadium, average attendance was approximately 12,000 They'll never see that number again, but attendees will have the pleasure of strolling up and down the hills of one of the prettiest campuses in the country and enjoying state-of-the-art amenities.

Essentially, all home games are sold out this season

Stories and slideshow from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...fb17-ar-510005/

Edited September 17, 2010 by burt

[burt]

Here's a fast-track video of yesterday's opening game at Robins Stadium where the UofR Spiders defeated Elon College in OT.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/sport-video/2010/sep/18/robins-stadium-debut-22567-vi-20367/

[burt]

According to RTD sports writer John O'Connor, fans were quite impressed with Robins Stadium at U of R. He writes that 8,700 filled every seat and that 2,000 students whooped it up in the North end zone as The Spiders beat Elon in OT.

It's unclear whether the 2,000 in the end zone are included among the 8,700 comfortably seated in the stands. Was the total figure 8,700 or 10,700?

Check out the slideshow link again for good views of the new facility.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...fb20-ar-514143/

Edited September 20, 2010 by burt

[burt]

The Flying Squirrels are having a retreat on The Outer Banks to appraise their first season in Richmond.

They led the Eastern League in attendance (6,626 average), and ranked second among all Double A franchises (Fresno, California led with a per-game average of 7,886.) Richmond ranked 20th among all minor league clubs.

And their gift shop did a land-office business.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ui22-ar-518106/

Edited September 22, 2010 by burt

[burt]

There's talk as usual but no firm action on a new ball park.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/pro-sports/2010/oct/01/squi01-ar-535349/

[Brent]

No new ball park! Record attendance tells me that the current location and facility is just fine.

[burt]

Among all minor league baseball teams, Richmond's double-A Flying Squirrels ranked 18th in attendance with a per-game average of 6,626.

It's interesting to note that The Gwinnett Braves drew only 4,817 per game and ranked 13th among 14 International League franchises.

From the RTD:

lhttp://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2010/sep/14/squi14-ar-503987/

Question: Where are The Frisco Rough Riders? They're listed as a double-A team. If they are in The Bay area, one might wonder why they aren't affiliated with The San Francisco Giants rather than Richmond.

Edited October 4, 2010 by burt

[Icetera]

Question: Where are The Frisco Rough Riders? They're listed as a double-A team. If they are in The Bay area, one might wonder why they aren't affiliated with The San Francisco Giants rather than Richmond.

They are an affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play out of Dr. Pepper Field in Frisco, TX (just North of Dallas).

[Downtowner]

Thats funny that the Giants AAA and AA teams are right next to each other in attendance. With Fresno being in 17 and Richmond being in 18th. I cant wait for next year. Should be seing the 6th overall pick of the 2009 Draft coming to Pitch in Richmond next year. Get ready to meet Zach Wheeler.