The award recognizes the overall achievements of an MiLB club demonstrating excellence across all business functions and in baseball operations.
"The (baseball) experience in Richmond is different than anywhere else in the country" said Flying Squirrels General Manager Anthony Opperman. "There's a lot of great teams and organizations across the country, but no place is like it is here. The connection and bond between us and the community doesn't compare to anywhere else."
The award was presented at the annual MiLB Business Summit in Louisville on Tuesday. Squirrels CEO Ben Rothrock led a delegation from the team to the ceremony and simply held up the award on a zoom call with everyone else back at CarMax Park.
"The camera to Louisville flipped on and there's Benny holding up the trophy and the whole room just erupted" Opperman recalled. "What is special for me is that we got to share it with everyone because it takes everyone here to make something like this happen."
"We couldn't be more grateful to have a community and support group unlike any in the country."
The Squirrels celebrated the opening of CarMax Park this year. According to the team, this past season drew 468,961 fans, a new franchise record and the highest total attendance in the Eastern League since 2005.
The Flying Squirrels also set a team record with 7,105 fans per game, the leagues highest average attendance since 2004.
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