Thank you, Richmond

Thank you… two simple words that are used to express gratitude. Sometimes, these two words most powerfully convey what is in our hearts. Thank you, Richmond, from your Flying Squirrels team, ownership, management, and employees. We love our hometown of RVA because we love our fans, friends, and neighbors. We have loved making memories together for the past 13 years. We are grateful for the love we have received in return.

Thank you on behalf of our first-year manager, Dennis Pelfrey, and our 2022 Flying Squirrel players. This year, the Squirrels made their first playoff appearance since 2014. A loud 9,000+ attended our home playoff game, on a school night, with Virginia Tech playing at home. Like Squirrels before them, this year’s team loved playing in Richmond. That’s not because our facilities have been so great. It’s because we live and work in a burgeoning, friendly, diverse, and culturally rich city. What we hear from nearly every player, coach, and manager that has come through The Diamond is that they love playing in front of YOU and they cherish the memories shared at the ballpark and in the community. It’s known that professional baseball players want to play here. Why wouldn’t they?!

Thank you to Mayor Levar Stoney, Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders, Economic Development Director Leonard Sledge, and the rest of the City team, who have spent countless hours preparing for a diverse and dynamic development of our neighborhood, The Diamond District. You’ve navigated through a complicated political landscape to achieve consensus in our community and advance a plan that serves the interests of all Richmonders.

Thank you from the bottom of our collective Squirrels’ heart to ALL members of the Richmond City Council, who voted unanimously for RVA Diamond Partners to develop the 67-acre Diamond District, including a new nest for the Flying Squirrels. This 9-0 vote required leadership and courage; most importantly, it reflects a shared commitment to the growth of our City and the communal well-being of all who live and work here.

Lastly, thank you to the 415,720 fans who attended Squirrels games in 2022. We led ALL of AA baseball in overall and average attendance. Our crowds had funn and went nuts every night that there was a game. There is NO PLACE like home. There are no fans like you. We love you and we are grateful.

We hope to see you at our Hot Stove Dinner on November 10. We have already begun preparing for Opening Night at The Diamond, and our 13th consecutive day-one sellout, on April 7, 2023. You’ll see us all over the place between now and then, and we hope to see you at The Diamond for one of our off-season events. There is no time off in the memory-making business!

Until next time, Have FUNN and GO NUTS!

- Flying Squirrels President & Managing General Partner Lou DiBella and Chief Executive Officer Todd "Parney" Parnell