Richmond Flying Squirrels

The Richmond Flying Squirrels are the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, playing in the Eastern League at the brand-new CarMax Park in Richmond, Virginia. The franchise relocated from Norwich, Connecticut, where it had played as the Connecticut Defenders, ahead of the 2010 season. The team's quirky name was chosen through a Richmond Times-Dispatch fan contest and has become one of the most recognizable brands in minor league baseball.

For their first 15 seasons, the Flying Squirrels called The Diamond home—an aging but beloved multipurpose stadium that hosted Richmond baseball since 1985. In 2026, the franchise moves into CarMax Park, a state-of-the-art, $110 million waterfront ballpark that serves as the centerpiece of the ambitious Diamond District development on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The new 360-degree concourse venue features unique vantage points, field-level suites, and year-round entertainment capabilities.

The Giants affiliation has been remarkably fruitful. Nearly 70 Flying Squirrels alumni have reached the major leagues, including Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, and Logan Webb—players who were central to San Francisco's championship runs. Managing General Partner Lou DiBella has overseen the franchise's growth from a relocated team seeking a new identity to a cornerstone of Richmond's entertainment landscape. Dennis Pelfrey returns as manager for 2026 for his fifth season, the longest managerial tenure in franchise history.