The Richmond Flying Squirrels, in conjunction with their parent affiliate, the San Francisco Giants, have announced a four-year extension to the current player development contract (PDC) between the two organizations. The four-year agreement is twice as long as the industry standard and will keep the Squirrels affiliated with the Giants through the 2020 season. The Squirrels are currently preparing to begin their seventh season, all as a Giants affiliate, on Opening Day April 14th at The Diamond
Through the first six seasons of the Squirrels’ affiliation with San Francisco, players such as Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford have gone on to make an impact in the Major Leagues. Additionally in that span, the Giants have won three World Series Championships. Recent Squirrels contributors in San Francisco include 2015 Flying Squirrels shortstop Kelby Tomlinson and 2015 Squirrels closer Josh Osich. Complimenting the team’s rampant success on the field, the Giants and Squirrels players and staff continue to make hundreds of appearances within the Richmond community each season.
“Richmond has been an important part of the success of the Giants farm system over the past six seasons. Thirty four Flying Squirrels have contributed to the Major League club and many of them played key roles in the Giants World Series championships,” said Giants Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans. “The Flying Squirrels’ front office is a true partner to our business, player development and staff needs. Their consistent communication and professionalism is refreshing, and they maintain a faithful commitment to our staff and players. We look forward to the completion of plans for building a new stadium and are confident that the Flying Squirrels will continue to make Richmond and its fans proud.”
The affiliation between the Squirrels and Giants actually predates the Squirrels themselves. The partnership began in 2003 between the Giants and the Norwich Navigators. The Navigators were rebranded as the Connecticut Defenders in 2006, and continued the affiliation through 2009, when the Defenders were relocated to Richmond. The constant through the 14-year relationship has been Flying Squirrels’ President & Managing Partner, Lou DiBella
“The Giants have been my only affiliate as an owner in minor league baseball,” said Flying Squirrels President and Managing General Partner Lou DiBella. “The class and dignity with which they go about their business makes them a pleasure to work with and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with San Francisco. The Giants requesting our first four year agreement speaks to their faith in the Flying Squirrel organization and their confidence that we will resolve the ballpark situation with our home town.”
“On a day-to-day basis it is an honor to work closely with everyone from the San Francisco Giants organization. Its an absolute honor,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “I personally am excited for all of us that this storybook relationship will continue.”
The Flying Squirrels 2016 home schedule begins April 14th at 6:35 PM against the Altoona Curve with Hall of Fame Running Back Jerome Bettis throwing out the first pitch. Season tickets, mini plans and group packages are currently available by contacting the box office at 804-359-FUNN or online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com. The Squirrels will be the visiting team at The Diamond for Homerun Weekend from April 7th-9th for a three-day, four game series against the Hartford Yard Goats due to uncertainty surrounding the Hartford ballpark opening date. April 7th will be the first game in Hartford Yard Goats history.
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