MUSIC - Bobby Jean by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band.... Clarence Clemons "the BIG man" is from Norfolk Virginia.
Location: Parker field - 3001 N. Blvd. Richmond Virginia note: The Diamond was built on the same site of Parker field in 1985.
Location: Richmond Arena- 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond Virginia (Demolished) Sports backers stadium sits on the site.
For many years, Richmond baseball was played at Mooers Field. That all changed in 1934 when Parker Field was constructed. Parker Field was built to the east of old Mooers Field. In 1954, the Richmond Virginians of the old American Association called Parker Field home. In 1956, they became the AAA home for the New York Yankees. In 1964, the Virgininas were transferred to Toledo Ohio and became the Mud Hens. The city of Richmond was baseball bare in 1965, but in 1966 the new Atlanta Braves moved their AAA team to Parker Field. They renamed them the Richmond Braves. Parker field was their home until it was razed after the 1984 season. The capacity of old Parker field was never more than 9,500.
In the spring of 1985, the Diamond arose from the rubble of old Parker field. The new place was much better than the antiquated predecessor. More leg room, better concessions and site lines as well as another first.... NO POLES! The Braves played there until 2008 when the team was moved to Gwinnett County Georgia after failing to get a new stadium built in the Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University uses the Diamond for their home baseball games now. In 2009, the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern league moved in. With major upgrades to the scoreboard and seating, they were renamed the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The capacity of the park is 9,560. They are the AA team for the San Francisco Giants.
Last but not least on our tour is the old Richmond Arena. Dump is a nice word in the few times I saw the building. I first saw it in 1991, and t he building had been closed / abandoned, for years. It was a favorite for the pro wrestling circuit in the 50's and 60's. It also held the Southern conference men's basketball championships from 1955 till 1963. The University of Richmond played home games in the old barn. It never had a seating capacity above 6,000. The last big hurrah for the building was as a part time home for the vagabond Virginia Squires of the old ABA. The building was finally demolished in 1997. The Sports Backers soccer stadium sits on the site now.
Location: Parker field - 3001 N. Blvd. Richmond Virginia note: The Diamond was built on the same site of Parker field in 1985.
Location: Richmond Arena- 100 Avenue of Champions, Richmond Virginia (Demolished) Sports backers stadium sits on the site.
For many years, Richmond baseball was played at Mooers Field. That all changed in 1934 when Parker Field was constructed. Parker Field was built to the east of old Mooers Field. In 1954, the Richmond Virginians of the old American Association called Parker Field home. In 1956, they became the AAA home for the New York Yankees. In 1964, the Virgininas were transferred to Toledo Ohio and became the Mud Hens. The city of Richmond was baseball bare in 1965, but in 1966 the new Atlanta Braves moved their AAA team to Parker Field. They renamed them the Richmond Braves. Parker field was their home until it was razed after the 1984 season. The capacity of old Parker field was never more than 9,500.
In the spring of 1985, the Diamond arose from the rubble of old Parker field. The new place was much better than the antiquated predecessor. More leg room, better concessions and site lines as well as another first.... NO POLES! The Braves played there until 2008 when the team was moved to Gwinnett County Georgia after failing to get a new stadium built in the Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University uses the Diamond for their home baseball games now. In 2009, the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern league moved in. With major upgrades to the scoreboard and seating, they were renamed the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The capacity of the park is 9,560. They are the AA team for the San Francisco Giants.
Last but not least on our tour is the old Richmond Arena. Dump is a nice word in the few times I saw the building. I first saw it in 1991, and t he building had been closed / abandoned, for years. It was a favorite for the pro wrestling circuit in the 50's and 60's. It also held the Southern conference men's basketball championships from 1955 till 1963. The University of Richmond played home games in the old barn. It never had a seating capacity above 6,000. The last big hurrah for the building was as a part time home for the vagabond Virginia Squires of the old ABA. The building was finally demolished in 1997. The Sports Backers soccer stadium sits on the site now.
Parker Field shot by me in July of 1976.
An aerial view of Parker Field. That is the Richmond Arena in the lower left corner. Photo from internet.
Parker field. Photo from internet.
The Richmond arena in 1991.
Richmond Arena in the 70's. Photo from the internet.
A RARE interior shot of the old Richmond Arena. Photo from internet.
A main entrance that is no longer used. 1991.
The rear of the building in 1991, boarded up.
Sports Backers stadium now sits on the site of the old Richmond Arena. 2005