Defenders bound for Richmond in 2010......
by greg8370 on Feb 13, 2009 10:00 AM PST
54 comments
"A Virginia businessman has submitted an application with Minor League Baseball to purchase and relocate the Norwich-based Connecticut Defenders to Richmond, Va., according to a published report.
Expectations are the sale will be completed before Opening Day in April with the new ownership group, led by Bryan Bostic, running the team at Dodd Stadium this season. The Defenders would move to Richmond in time for the 2010 season.
"I'm not allowed to say any level, any team, any city, any affiliation," Bostic told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "That day, we believe, is coming."
When reached, Defenders owner Lou DiBella had no comment on a sale or relocation. It is believed the sale price of the team is in the $15 million to $17 million range.
Neither a sale nor relocation would change the team’s major league affiliation with the San Francisco Giants, which was renewed last fall through the 2011 season.
Once the parties strike a deal, it must be approved by the Eastern league, Minor League Baseball and then Major League Baseball. Eastern League President Joe McEacharn wouldn’t deny that an application from Bostic is in the works, only saying that nothing has reached his desk for approval.
Generally, Minor League Baseball does not like transactions of this magnitude to go on once the season begins. Much like DiBella’s purchase of the team prior to the 2005 season, this could come down to the wire.
Once a shoe-in to draw over 240,000 fans a year as a New York Yankees affiliate, the team has fallen on hard times at the turnstile. Five consecutive non-playoff seasons and a disconnect with its major-league affiliate, attendance dropped precipitously after the then-Norwich Navigators hooked up with the San Francisco Giants. Only until recently has attendance taken an upswing. The team topped 200,000 fans in 2008.
A hurdle in Bostic’s pursuit of the Defenders is that McEacharn doesn’t want an Eastern League team to relocate to a situation with an unstable stadium situation.
With the Richmond Braves having departed for Georgia after last season, the Defenders would play 2010 and 2011 at the city’s old ball park, The Diamond, while a new stadium is built for 2012. However, Richmond is not willing to commit to a new stadium until August and a new team is secured.
“There are so many factors to consider. Richmond has been an interest; I won’t deny the Eastern league’s interest,” McEacharn said. “We are not going to walk into a situation where there’s facilities issues. … We’re not going to assume they’re going to have a new ballpark.”
The acknowledged interest is a 180-degree turnaround from just a few months ago when both the Eastern League and the Carolina League were both believed to be jockeying for position to claim the profitable one-time Triple-A market and echoed “no comment” policies.
McEacharn’s admission could be seen as a sign that the league has at least one foot in the door already."
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That would be awesome, I’m about an hour and a half out of Richmond.
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 10:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
that would be un-awesome, I’m about an hour and a half out of Connecticut.
Brian Sabean's our GM: Not exactly the "silver bullet that's going to save the day"
by rxmeister on Feb 13, 2009 10:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also un-awesome here
My mother-in-law lives just outside of Norwich. Hopefully we’ll be able to make it to a game this year.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
YOU GUYS HAD YOUR CHANCES, NOW ITS MY TURN
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 10:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! Me, too! I’m only about an hour and a half away! (Although it would be even more convenient if they just moved to Bowie, I’m only a half hour away from there).
Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!
by Roger on Feb 13, 2009 10:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We’ll have to meet up sometime, Roger. Whether it be a Nats game or a AA Giants game.
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely. Once a year the Augusta team makes it up to Hagerstown, too. I usually try to make that road trip as well (though I don’t guess the Greenjackets roster will be quite as exciting this year).
Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!
by Roger on Feb 13, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I could do Hagerstown, too. I went to school in the area and I used to watch the Suns play when they were a Giants affiliate. I’ve also got friends living in Hagerstown, so I could probably crash with them.
You probably know this if you’ve been to the stadium in Hagerstown, but it was the first place that Willie Mays ever played pro-ball at. Pretty cool.
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting, it looks like the Suns are a Nationals affiliate now. I knew they had been a Mets affiliate for a few years after the Giants left town. Looks like Augusta will be in Hagerstown from August 14th (Friday) to the 17th (Monday).
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder when that happened. Their high A team is in Prince William County. They could just drive a player over for a spot start. Almost as a good a clustering job as the O’s who actually have 4 minor league teams in the 410 and 301 area codes, plus their AAA in Norfolk and their rookie league in WV.
Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!
by Roger on Feb 13, 2009 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So are you a BaySox fan?
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005.
by Lyle on Feb 17, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Bowie, but they don’t put on the Friday night fireworks extravaganzas like the Frederick Keys do!
A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.
by Roger on Feb 17, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
"...and the rockets' red glare"
Yeah, I guess they’re historically committed to fireworks displays. I hadn’t thought of that.
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005.
by Lyle on Feb 21, 2009 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
an hour and a half out of Richmond and you still haven’t killed yourself?
by NeifiChicken on Feb 13, 2009 10:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
just my cheap shot at the south, I apologize
by NeifiChicken on Feb 13, 2009 11:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s it, now I have to shoot you with my musket.
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps you should throw boiled peanuts at him.
That’s probably more of a deep south thing, though.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’ve never had boiled peanuts, that’s like an Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana thing.
Wiki:
In the United States, boiled peanuts are occasionally abbreviated as "BP"’s, and are popular in southern coastal states. Often, they are sold in season in roadside concession stands, produce stands, at festivals, and in convenience stores.
BP!
by xanthan on Feb 13, 2009 11:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
North Florida too (that’s where my parents live).
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 12:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn’t that be more of a southern Georgia thing? (Peanuts, George Washington Carver, etc, etc).
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005.
by Lyle on Feb 17, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I always thought “BP” was for Virginia Blistered Peanuts ?
Which are full of awesome crunchy goodness BTW.
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move."-Leroy "Satchel" Paige
My adopted son Matt Downs . Utility Infielder with a Bat !
by nvsfg on Feb 13, 2009 12:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno how authentic they are, but Trader Joe’s sells “old fashioned blister peanuts” that are really good. But I can’t find the salt & pepper variety any more.
Adoptive father to the All-Father. Does that make me the All-Grandfather?
by EliminateMe on Feb 13, 2009 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes I love their blister peanuts.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 17, 2009 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess that if I want to try to go to a Defenders game, I should go this year.
I mean, I guess it was always going to be that way, but still.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Feb 13, 2009 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hey, if my wife and I do make it to a game this year and you’re free, you should come with!
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 10:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll have to figure out what the options are for getting from Boston to Norwich via train/bus.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Feb 13, 2009 10:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If nothing else you could take a bus to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun and we could probably pick you up from there. I doubt there’s a bus to Norwich itself – it’s pretty podunk.
I have no idea if we’ll be able to make it back east during the season (although hopefully we will – we have a baby for my wife’s family to meet!) but if so I’ll send you a note.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds good! I’m not sure how much free time I’ll have in April/May with exams and work and graduation craziness but we’ll see what happens.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Feb 13, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hint Hint
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
by WalrusMan on Feb 13, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I have friends who live in Richmond and nearby areas, so this is awesome. I finally have a reason to visit them.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 13, 2009 10:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Me neither!
Adoptive father to the All-Father. Does that make me the All-Grandfather?
by EliminateMe on Feb 13, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t! But my wife went to high school in Newport News, so she does!
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
by jcb9 on Feb 13, 2009 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
by WalrusMan on Feb 13, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
WalrusMan, why did you have to kill the exclamation-point-heavy vibe with your simple period sadness?
by cornball on Feb 13, 2009 9:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right! Using a period instead of an exclamation point do make sad statements seem so much sadder.
by lincypoo i wuv u on Feb 14, 2009 5:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Because!
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
by WalrusMan on Feb 14, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, I’m on cold meds and not really with it, so forgive me for asking a retarded question. Would the team remain in the Eastern League or go to the Southern League?
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 13, 2009 10:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Yay for cold meds. Actually, screw ’em.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
by WalrusMan on Feb 13, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
they stay in the EL
and the EL would have to redo the their North/South divisions setup.
http://gregsconnecticutdefenders.blogspot.com
by greg8370 on Feb 13, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sweet! Anything is better than Connecticut. And I have family near Richmond that I can visit.
by Hobbes2d on Feb 13, 2009 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
This is great news
Assuming the ballpark in Richmond isn’t as bad as the one in Norwich. Anybody know anything about the Richmond park? According to BP’s park factors, Richmond has played neutral while Norwich has become very strong pitching oriented, so there’s that. Still, if a new ballpark is built, that could change things.
I wonder whether the Giants brokered this deal in any way, them signing up for an extension didn’t make sense unless they thought that they would get to play in a better park, and Norwich would not even shell out money to change the fences and field configuration, let alone a new ballpark.
Adoptive parental unit of Kevin " 2007's Most Spectacular Pitcher" Pucetas.
"I'm a Giant now... I like watching the ball get up there" - Wendell Fairley
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Feb 13, 2009 4:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
norwich looks like a pitchers park on paper, but look at the “talent” that’s been swinging the lumber there lately. blech !
by giantdonkey on Feb 13, 2009 6:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Intriguing...
…but not wholly surprising. I don’t think it’s been much of a secret that the only franchise with more reason or motivation or expectation for a move than Connecticut is Bakersfield, and for Bakersfield, it is more an issue of ballpark than it is with Connecticut (which is saying something).
It’s also that Richmond is one of the more profitable and popular minor league cities, and unlike certain other cities that have seen teams move away in recent years, Richmond pretty much deserves a team. It’s a shame it’ll come at the cost of the Defenders, if this goes through, but it’s also a move that makes business sense, assuming a new stadium deal can be worked out.
The move could be good for the Giants in some ways, but it could honestly turn out bad. The Giants were looking in different ways to move out of Connecticut this year, and it came down to the Mudcats choosing the Reds over the Giants.. I highly doubt that there was any Giants-related push to this move. Meanwhile, if the team goes to Richmond, that makes the Defenders a much more interesting affiliate to other teams who could not break the Braves’ Triple-A hold on Richmond. The Nationals are the most obvious team, as their Double-A affiliate Harrisburg is about the same distance, but has struggled with attendance just like the Defenders. (Baltimore seems happy with Bowie, however.) Also, the Reds may like Richmond’s environment more.
I’d expect that the move will only affect the Giants in that they’ll get kicked around to another less-desirable Double-A affiliate once there is other interest in Richmond. The only thing that could stop that would be a continued show of improvement in the drafting and scouting departments to remain attractive to a minor league team looking to sell tickets in a bad economy.
SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!
by BruteSentiment on Feb 14, 2009 1:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, are you saying that this guy that wants to buy the Defenders and move them to Richmond also has plans – or might have plans – to hook up with a different affiliate after 2011? That would be depressing. We really need a stable situation for our AA affiliation.
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005.
by Lyle on Feb 17, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What might happen is......
the Defenders/Giants go to Richmond and after 2010 when the the PDC is up, the Giants end up in Harrisburg and the Senators, currently a Nationals farm team, end up in Richmond. The Harrisburg park is being remodeled right now. The new Richmond park is suppose to be on-line in 2012.
http://gregsconnecticutdefenders.blogspot.com
by greg8370 on Feb 17, 2009 5:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Greg
If this does happen, do you see the Norwich community leaders attempting to attract another affiliation there, or do the locals there feel burned by the whole Giants experience? Does DiBella live in the area?
Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005.
by Lyle on Feb 18, 2009 7:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Lyle...
part of the “deal” DiBella is working on is the relocation of a short season New York Penn league team to Norwich. He lives in New York and is a Mets fan. The area doesn’t feel burned by the Giants experience but some winning teams sure would have been nice especially when compared to the Yankee years here.
I think short season will work here if it comes to pass. Check out some of Joe Perez’s of the Norwich Bulletin newspaper recent blog post re: this subject. If you can’t find it; go to my blog and the link is on the right side of the page.
http://gregsconnecticutdefenders.blogspot.com
by greg8370 on Feb 19, 2009 3:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Shame..
My parents are from Connecticut and I took in a Navigators/Defenders game when they were a Yankee affiliate. Weird stadium – not bad (modern, free parking!!) but located in the middle of nowhere in Norwich. For that reason I’d be pleased if they stayed a Giants affiliate. As well The Diamond in Richmond is a total dump and so the Giants better be sure they get a new ballpark to play in.
by Bitter Fan on Feb 22, 2009 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
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