If you grew up attending minor league games in the 1980s and 1990s, you’re likely familiar with stadiums like The Diamond in Richmond. The current home of the Flying Squirrels opened in 1985, making it the second-oldest facility in the Eastern League. Only FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA, which opened in 1951, is older. The Diamond’s age is immediately apparent due to its architecture; you’ll likely be able to guess approximately when this stadium was built as you pull into the parking lot.
Despite The Diamond’s age, you’ll be impressed to see that the franchise has invested heavily in remodeling the park to give it several modern amenities. Multiple group party decks, a spacious team store that is more impressive than most at the Double-A level, and plenty of colorful Flying Squirrels branding around the park all enhance the look and feel of this facility. It almost feels as though the Flying Squirrels use more banners and other forms of branding than their Eastern League peers, perhaps in an effort to spruce up the look of the stadium.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 9,560, making it the second-largest park in the Eastern League. Bowie’s Prince George’s Stadium is slightly larger, with an official capacity of 10,000. The Diamond is situated on North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, named after the tennis player and humanitarian who was born in Richmond. In fact, Ashe’s funeral in 1993 took place at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center, which is situated next to The Diamond.
The Diamond has hosted the Flying Squirrels since their inception in 2010. In the years prior, the Richmond Braves were The Diamond’s tenant from 1985 to 2009. The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams, which play in the Atlantic 10 conference, have called The Diamond home since its inaugural season.