The Diamond (Richmond, Virginia)
 
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| Location | 3001 North Boulevard Richmond, VA 23230 |
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| Coordinates | 37°34′18.50″N 77°27′49.44″W / 37.5718056°N 77.4637333°WCoordinates: 37°34′18.50″N 77°27′49.44″W / 37.5718056°N 77.4637333°W |
| Owner | Richmond Metropolitan Authority |
| Operator | Richmond Metropolitan Authority |
| Capacity | 12,134 (VCU Rams) 9,560 (Flying Squirrels) |
| Field size | Left field—330 feet Center field—402 feet Right field—330 feet |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 1984 |
| Opened | April 17, 1985 |
| Construction cost | $8 million ($17.8 million in 2016 dollars) |
| Architect | Baskervill & Sons, Architects |
| Structural engineer | Thomas A. Hanson & Associates, Inc. |
| General contractor | McDevitt & Street |
| Tenants | |
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Richmond Braves (IL) (1985–2008) Richmond Flying Squirrels (EL) (2010–present) VCU Rams (A-10) (1985–present) CAA Tournament (1987–1988) |
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The Diamond is a baseball stadium located in Richmond, Virginia, USA, on Boulevard. It is the home of Richmond Flying Squirrels of the Eastern League and the Virginia Commonwealth University baseball team. From 1985 to 2008, it was the home of the Richmond Braves, the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The Diamond seats 12,134 people for baseball; however, for Flying Squirrels games, advertising banners cover up the top rows of the upper deck, reducing seating capacity to 9,560. It replaced the demolished Parker Field, which had been built in 1934, as part of the fair grounds. Parker Field had been converted for baseball in 1954, replacing Mooers Field. Parker Field housed the Braves from 1966 to 1984. In 2003, part of The Diamond's roof was destroyed by Hurricane Isabel, and in 2004 a piece of a concrete beam (size of a football) fell on the stands below, though no fans were injured.
The Richmond Braves relocated to Gwinnett County, Georgia after the 2008 season. One factor in the franchise's decision to relocate was reportedly a failure to reach an agreement on building a new ballpark in Richmond. There was plan by a development group called the Richmond Baseball Initiative to build a new stadium in Shockoe Bottom near Main Street Station. But in August 2009 the company that submitted this ballpark plan withdrew it. Under the plan, the Richmond Braves would have moved to the new stadium while the Diamond would become the sole home to Virginia Commonwealth University athletics. VCU Baseball previously shared the facility with the Braves for home games. The Diamond is owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which currently leases the facility to VCU.
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