Minor League Baseball: Eastern League's Richmond Hosts Home Opener Tonight

The Richmond Flying Squirrels begin their second season tonight in an attempt to improve on an admirable opening campaign.

Richmond provided an impressive "fan experience" in 2010, and if we look at changes around the Diamond, 2011 will bring more of the same.

The Flying Squirrels were awarded for their commitment to fun by leading the Eastern League in attendance, averaging more than 6,600 per game. In addition, the name "Flying Squirrels" has been a huge success as the team's merchandise sales prospered also.

Then a funny thing happened after the Squirrels completed their season. Parent club San Francisco surprised the baseball word by winning the World Series.

The victory spoke volumes for the Giants' minor league system, as many of the players on the victorious Giants squad came through the farm system. The popular baseball term "build from within" certainly applies here.

"I think we had 10 guys from the system on that World Series roster," said Bobby Evans, San Francisco's Vice President of Baseball Operations. "It's a thrill. Every Minor League manager and coach and roving instructor puts in hours and hours on fields in Scottsdale, and you love to see the fruits of that work in the big leagues."

Tonight you'll see a new group of Flying Squirrels eager to punch their ticket to the major leagues. Only seven players return from the 2010 club, which posted a 68-73 record.

Y'all might be familiar with LHP Clayton Tanner, OF Roger Kleschnick, RHP Daryl Maday, LHP David Quinowski, RHP Ronnie Ray, C Aaron Lowenstein and and INF Sharlon Schoop.

Dave Machemer, who's been around organized baseball for 38 years, is the new skipper. He spent the last two seasons with the Giants' Single-A affiliate in Augusta, Georgia.

If you're unable to make it out to the Diamond tonight, be sure to check out the radio broadcast on Sports Radio 910 AM, WRNL.  Anthony Oppermann and Jon Lasser are back to provide the coverage.