Richmond looking for Defenders

In 2009, the city of Richmond, Va. will not have an affiliated Minor League Baseball team. 2010 might be a different story.

This week, newspapers in Richmond and Norwich, Conn. reported that an ownership group led by Virginia businessman Brian Bostic hoped to purchase the Connecticut Defenders. The Eastern League franchise would play the 2009 season in its current home, but relocate to Richmond in time for '10.

This deal would have to be approved by the Eastern League and Minor League Baseball. As of now, representatives from both entities say nothing is set in stone.

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner remarked that he is "not sure where we are in the process," adding, "It isn't something that I can comment on right now."

"We have no information that we can go public with right now," echoed Scott Poley, Minor League Baseball's vice president of legal affairs and general counsel. "There are so many moving parts when it comes to situations like this; there is nothing that is anywhere near being finalized."

One particularly important "moving part" is the issue of where Richmond's new baseball team would play. After all, dissatisfaction with the city's current facility, The Diamond, was one of the primary reasons the International League's Richmond Braves relocated to Gwinnett County, Ga., following the '08 campaign.

While Bostic could not be reached for comment, an article in Friday's Richmond Times-Dispatch states his ownership group is advocating a plan in which The Diamond would be used for the 2010 and '11 seasons. In '12, the club would move into a new ballpark in Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom district. This new facility would be funded by city-issued bonds.

Joe McEacharn, president of the 12-team Eastern League, stated reports regarding the Defenders' impending move to Richmond are purely "speculation" at this point.

"It may have been reported that a relocation application is already on my desk, but I haven't seen anything," he said. "There is nothing to consider at this time."

Nonetheless, McEacharn acknowledged Richmond might be a good fit for an Eastern League franchise.

"It's no secret that a couple of our clubs are struggling to remain viable in their communities, particularly in this economic climate," he said. "And Richmond, even though it's considered part of the South, is really right in our wheelhouse. It's only 100 miles to Bowie and two-and-a-half hours to Reading."

"But the issue that prompted the Richmond Braves to leave still exists, and that's the stadium problem. No one is going to make any commitments until that situation is settled."

According to Connecticut Defenders general manager Charlie O'Dowd, the relocation rumors have no effect on his team's day-to-day operations.

"Stuff just started appearing the media this past week...but whatever happens isn't in our control," he said. "What we are in control of is the quality of our presentation. We need to provide a clean stadium, good food, inexpensive tickets and quality promotions.

"We aren't going to change the way we go about doing things. This may or may not be our last season, but either way we're going to make sure that it's a good one."