The Diamond’s finale is CarMax’s future
The Richmond Flying Squirrels play their final season at The Diamond. Photo by Jenny Allen.
Jenny Allen, Contributing Writer
Celebrating its 40th and final season of hosting professional baseball, The Diamond has become a beloved Richmond landmark, welcoming locals, visitors and fans.
Home to the Richmond Braves from 1985 to 2008, VCU athletics since 2009 and the MiLB Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels since 2010, The Diamond is now an unforgettable site.
“Three-quarters of the century that Richmonders have been kind of gathering as a community at the same location — 3001 Arthur Ashe Boulevard,” general manager Anthony Oppermann said. “Beyond baseball, there’s just something to having a place where people of all different backgrounds and beliefs can come together and it doesn’t matter, the score doesn’t matter.”
The Flying Squirrels have sold out 15 consecutive Opening Night Games, with a capacity of 9,560, including their final opener this year on April 4 since nesting at The Diamond, according to MLB.
“The Flying Squirrels are Richmond’s identity,” Oppermann said.
The Flying Squirrels rank among the top of all Double-A teams in total and average attendance. As the focus now shifts to the up-and-coming CarMax Park, the organization’s goal is to become number one out of the 120 Minor League Markets in the entire country, according to Oppermann.
The Flying Squirrels and CarMax have announced their partnership to build a new stadium and premier entertainment venue after The Diamond’s remarkable 40 years, according to MiLB.
The Diamond did not disappoint when it came to engaging fans, however, the new stadium will feature a 360-degree wrap-around concourse, a field-level dugout suite and 20 indoor luxury suites.
Fans will have access to a multi-tiered beer garden, a kids zone, outfield lawn seating and event areas; the new and improved Diamond is now CarMax Park, according to MiLB.
Not only will CarMax Park create an enjoyable and memorable experience for the community, it will also offer facilities that are more geared towards player development, Oppermann said.
Richmond’s community has been surrounded by professional baseball since 1884 and excitement since the city’s founding, according to 12 On Your Side. The thrill is not just in watching a baseball game, but rather, the entertainment around it.
“All the things kind of going on outside don’t matter once you kind of get inside the squirrely gates and everybody’s there for the same purpose, just to have a good time, whether they love baseball or not,” Oppermann said.
CarMax Park will strive to make each game day a different and unique occasion, taking fans’ game experience to the next level, according to Oppermann.
“The versatility of the venue, it’s going to be really unique and really special and I think it’s definitely going to be an asset to the community around,” Oppermann said.
Every visit will be an opportunity to create cherishable moments at CarMax Park. On non-game days, CarMax Park will provide the public with a variety of opportunities. The 6,000 square-foot Atlantic Union Bank Lounge inside the park will be able to hold small concerts, comedy shows, conferences and more, according to Oppermann.
While The Diamond will forever linger in the hearts of fans, traditions will continue to live out their legacies in the new stadium.
A steel beam from The Diamond was placed in CarMax Park at the top of the team store located in the center field. The beam was placed in CarMax Park on the same day The Diamond celebrated its 40th anniversary, according to Oppermann.
“We kind of celebrated the future and then honored the past on the same day,” Oppermann said.
During opening weekend at The Diamond, the beam was available for fans to sign, allowing them to pass on their unforgettable memories.
“That’s the goal, to make it the best and just kind of have people as they walk around being in awe of every aspect,” Oppermann said.
