Comments on: More on Richmond

By: Brian Isemann

Brian Isemann — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:49:10 +0000

Wow. You’re doing everything I do every morning, except, you’re making it easy to read. Awesome page. I’ll be viewing each and every morning. Thanks!

By: Dick

Dick — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:06:02 +0000

If Kinston were to move to Richmond, wouldn't the league then become the Virginia League with teams in Richmond, Salem, Potomac & Lynchburg (in an 8 team league)?

Seriously, Kinston moving to Richmond wouldn't do anything for the Nats. Richmond might not be a good fit for the Sally league but I would happily trade western Maryland (Orioles country?) for central Virginia.

By: Brian Oliver

Brian Oliver — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:08:38 +0000

Brian - Thanks

Dick - Very true about the "Virginia" League.

By: A wary fan

A wary fan — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:00:58 +0000

The plurality of Carolina League teams is already in Virginia - the league has 1 in Delaware, 1 in Maryland, 3 in Virginia, 2 in North Carolina and 1 in South Carolina.

By: Dick

Dick — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:20:25 +0000

Technically, Virginia and the Carolinas are tied with 3 each today. Not cause for a name change yet!

By: Ric

Ric — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:12:29 +0000

Too bad the Nationals can’t get Richmond for their AAA affiliate. Assuming the Indians align with Columbus, and Syracuse with the Mets, it looks like the Nationals will be fighting it out with Toronto between Buffalo and New Orleans. With geographic proximity, I’d think Buffalo prefers Toronto. Maybe in 2010, the Nationals could align with Charlotte and move the White Sox to New Orleans, and end up with Charlotte (AAA), Harrisburg (AA), Potomac (A+) and Richmond (A) for their full season affiliates.

By: Sec 314

Sec 314 — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:16:06 +0000

I guess I need to get out more often. I've been to R Braves games (but not in the past five or six years) and thought the facility and the crowds were fine. I'm kind of stunned that Richmond would go from being a AAA town to a Single A town.

I can understand the Braves wanting to have a AAA team closer to Richmond. Is the Stadium really that bad? The crowds really that small?

Where do I find a nice summary of what's happening?

By: Tofu Dog

Tofu Dog — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:56:58 +0000

Too much speculation too early. There is a good comparison of Posey vs. Beckham on BA who sent Matt Blood to watch both play this past weekend.

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:26:55 +0000

Mandalay wants to move the Suns or sell Hagerstown. Mandalay also has a contract with Hagerstown that should, in theory, keep the team here through 2009. $300,000 in improvements are scheduled for Municipal Stadium in early 2009. The Power Plant is in the process of being condemned, and if it is would likely become a Super Fund site. A parking lot could be built there and Municipal Stadium could be rebuilt, or the Suns could build a new stadium on the site of the Washington County Hospital after it's demolished.

All this said, the Sally League franchise could well be the Savannah Sand Gnats. They draw worse than the Suns. The Sally League needs a team in Hagerstown for geographic purposes, and quashed the last attempt Mandalay made at moving the Suns.

From the lack of promotion, lack of involvement, etc, it appears pretty obvious to me that Mandalay wants to create the dynamics (last place attendance) where moving can be justified. That said, I think Kinston is probably more likely. But that could be just blind optimism there.

The conditions are actually pretty favorable for a stadium rehab/new stadium in Hagerstown. It'll be a shame if Mandalay moves the team when progress could be made. And as for the contract, well they're made to be broken.

By: Suns Fan

Suns Fan — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:31:07 +0000

Re: moving out of Western Maryland, I think that’s a poor idea. The reality is that the Nationals are competitors with the Orioles. The Suns could certainly do more to advertise their affiliation. But attendance growth in Washington is dependent upon expanding the market. Anything to the South (Virginia) is already in D.C.’s geographic market. To the west, it’s equal distance between Washington and Baltimore. Therefore out here is the real battle ground between the two teams for fans. From a long-term growth perspective, I believe the Nationals would be wise to stay in western Maryland.

By: BristowNats

BristowNats — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:02:22 +0000

Is the PNats stadium deal done next to the Pfitz? They might be a good fit in Richmond.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:55:44 +0000

A move from Hagerstown by the Nats would be a bad move for them with it coming just as they are making inroads here vs the Orioles

By: Wooden U. Lykteneau

Wooden U. Lykteneau — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:35:42 +0000

Bristow - Nobody in their right mind — not even Angelos — is dumb enough to give up the counties of Fairfax and Prince William while having the luxury of a cheap stadium that doesn’t have to comply to the NAPBL standards. H’town is in the same boat, but it’s not nearly as affluent, so there’s a lot less risk in giving up there. Problem is, even the rednecks on the PWC board of supervisors know this and also know that Art Silber is bluffing when he threatens to move (to where?). The endgame is simple: Get a new stadium, or find someone else willing to take on the challenge, or hope that Kasten decides to buy him out.