Richmond Flying Squirrels get extra series

The Richmond Flying Squirrels in conjunction with the Hartford Yard Goats and Eastern League of Professional Baseball have announced that due to uncertainty regarding the availability of the new ballpark in Hartford Connecticut, the first four game series of the season will be played at The Diamond in Richmond instead of the scheduled Hartford destination.

The series now runs from April 7th-9th and will kick off an action-packed entertainment week in Richmond that includes a doubleheader on Saturday, April 9th beginning at 2:05 PM soon after the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K finishes. These additional four games have allowed the Squirrels and Sports Backers to work in unison to bring as much sports and family entertainment to the Boulevard as possible.

An initial schedule of the game times and dates can be found below with additional promotional information coming soon.

The Flying Squirrels home opener will still be played as scheduled on April 14th against Altoona.

“Our staff has been working on making our 7th Opening Night celebration the best that Richmond has seen.  Over the next couple of weeks, we will be able to announce a busload of plans for April 14th, which will remain the Flying Squirrels official Home Opener of the 2016 season,” Said Squirrels VP & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “However, this unique situation allows us to work closely with our friends at Sports Backers to create a  one-of-a-kind experience for our fans and the City of Richmond.  We look forward to the opportunity for our two organizations to bring a sports packed weekend to the Boulevard.”

Opening Week Revised Schedule 

• Thursday, April 7: Richmond vs. Hartford 1:00 PM – The Diamond, Opening Day for Yard Goats
• Friday, April 8: Richmond vs. Hartford 7:30 PM – The Diamond
• Saturday, April 9: Richmond vs. Hartford 2:05 PM Doubleheader – The Diamond
• Sunday, April 10 OFF DAY
• Monday April 11-13 (as initially scheduled) Richmond @ Reading, PA vs. Fightin Phils
• Thursday, April 14^th (as initially scheduled) Richmond vs. Altoona 6:35 PM – The Diamond Opening Night (big promotional announcement coming soon for Opening Night festivities)

“The spring celebration of sports in Richmond will kick off with a bang in 2016 with the Flying Squirrels and Sports Backers combining forces on the Boulevard to have 3 days of non-stop sports, fitness, fun and baseball. Our signature event, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k brings 30,000 runners and walkers not only to Monument Avenue on April 9 but also to the Anthem Health and Fitness Expo to the Ashe Center on April 7-8,” said Jon Lugbill, executive director of the Sports Backers.

He added, “Fortunately, we work so closely with our friends at the Flying Squirrels that having to move their away games with Hartford here to Richmond at the same time as our biggest event has become a unique opportunity for our organizations to work together to produce an amazing show. We are proud of the way our two organizations instantly rolled up our sleeves and worked out a great 3 days of fun for Richmond.”