Message #170274

[NatsAddict]

I've found the following regarding the problem and the "solution." 

Flawed Diamond?

Remaining home games in jeopardy as R-Braves cancel homestand; move games to Norfolk
Flawed Diamond?
Robb Crocker/Richmond.com
Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Richmond Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin says he's "not very optimistic" that the R-Braves will play another home game at The Diamond this season. The organization has had to cancel ten openings this season due to unplayable field conditions.

The Richmond Braves, who are in the final stretch of a heated pennant race, were forced to move all five scheduled home games at The Diamond this week to Norfolk’s Harbor Park because of unplayable field conditions. Besides a saturated turf, the 51-year-old field developed a 2-foot-by-4-foot sinkhole Sunday.

The Diamond’s field maintenance team filled the hole by Monday afternoon but sponge-like conditions remained as the team held a light practice and prepared for an eight-day, 11-game road trip.

"This is extremely disappointing and perplexing," said R-Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin Monday night. Baldwin added that he is "not very optimistic" that the R-Braves will play another home game at The Diamond this season. The next scheduled home game is on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

"The entire front office has been working on the field for the past two weeks," Baldwin explained. "These conditions have been going on for quite sometime. I can't put one of my athletes out there to risk a career ending injury."

According to Todd Feagans, public relations manager, the team has lost ten openings due to unplayable field conditions. Feagans said the average attendance per game this season has been 5,500 fans. If each fan spends at least $15 at the gate and concessions, the organization potentially loses $82,500 spent at The Diamond per game. In addition, roughly 150 game employees (ushers, vendors, security and bat boys) will miss out on potential paydays.

-more-

Richmond.com

Wilder "cautiously optimistic" about Braves ballpark proposal
Posted February 25, 2005
Richmond (Va.) Mayor Douglas Wilder met with Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International league) GM Bruce Baldwin and the Washington-based developers about the $330-million development project that includes a new ballpark for the Braves. It sounds like both sides made some concessions: the Braves agreed to fund studies of the impact of the development (tax revenues, traffic impact, etc.) and Wilder came out saying he was cautiously optimistic about the future of the project.

Ballpark Watch