The Diamond is in the midst of its final season this week, wrapping up its stadium legacy with a sold-out Goodbye Diamond game on Sunday, Sept. 14. Since opening in 1985, our tried and true stadium has scored a few scuffs and chips, but fans still look back with a proud sense of fondness and gratitude.
Let’s take a walk through the stands together, shall we?
Diamond in the rough: a brief history
People say, “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.”
Our Diamond certainly started out a little coal-like, to say the least. In the first few decades, there were rats, one notable fallen chunk of concrete (which fortunately landed in empty seats), flooded fields, and a whole lot of flimsy investment promises, according to Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Luckily, Richmonders know how to find a diamond in the rough. Structural flaws couldn’t crack through the childlike joy associated with a trip to the ballpark. Families, sports fans, and ballpark snack enthusiasts developed a communal fondness for the scrappy stadium as years of memories tucked between the stands.
In 2010, the Flying Squirrels — a Connecticut franchise, renamed by public vote — soared into Richmond, introducing $2+ million in stadium upgrades.
Over the next 15 years, The Diamond saw an exciting influx of themed nights, mascot races, happy hours, and all-around shenanigans, bringing crowds together for wholesome fun.
Looking back at all the change and structural shakes, it’s clear that the fans were the glue, and we’re not the only ones noticing. Earlier this year, Southern Living considered Richmond’s Flying Squirrels “one of the South’s most beloved baseball teams.”
CarMax Park plans to take everything to the next level, but we’re not quite ready to say goodbye to The Diamond yet. With 40 years of memories under its belt, we wanted to give our readers a chance to look back.
Our readers’ Diamond memories:
Pie, anyone?
“Several years ago, while playing catch in the outfield of The Diamond before a game, we were selected for the ‘pie in the face’ of Mom or Dad between innings. My son feinted towards me, then smashed the pie into his mom’s face. The stadium erupted as she chased him around the first baseline with the remnants of the pie!” – Anonymous
Simple sentiments
Reader Jerry T. remembers: “Hank Aaron” and “Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake.”
Late baseball legend Hank Aaron visited Richmond for games, speeches, and civil rights campaigns between the 1960s and the 1990s. See the archives.
Photo provided by reader Jerry T.
First date, in style
“My first ‘date’ was at The Diamond in 1985, and I was 15. My boyfriend and I went with his parents, so it was technically a chaperoned date.
I remember what I wore — a white sweater (surprisingly back in style now) that my boyfriend gave me for my birthday and cropped jeans (also surprisingly back in style now).
Growing up in Beaverdam, going to this part of the city was a rare experience, and I remember being in awe of the size of The Diamond. I couldn’t have cared less about the game, as it was SO slow, and I was used to quick-moving, slow-pitch softball games that my Dad played in.
Plus, I was just a giddy, young girl excited to be with her boyfriend and trying to make a good impression on his parents!” – Anonymous
Legacy fan
Niche celebrity spottings
“Our family met local competitive swimmer Townley Haas at The Diamond soon after he won an Olympic gold medal in the 2016 games.” – Carla M.
“Taking our children and sitting with Gary Gerloff, where he always sat behind 3rd” – Catherine H.
“Angels” in the outfield
“Back in ’92, my brother-in-law and I hopped the outfield wall to play catch late at night during the off-season. It was a scavenger hunt challenge, and he and I were the only ones in our group to complete the task. Everyone else was too afraid to trespass or couldn’t get over the outfield wall.” – Anonymous
Photo ops
Note: If you didn’t get to share your first name + last initial and would like to include it with your memory, feel free to reach out, and we will add it in.
Want to share another memory with us? Throw us your best pitch.
