Last Spring (2025), Rachel and I took the short drive west to Richmond’s The Diamond Ballpark to see the University of Rhode Island Rams square off against Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. It was a unique game, pitting Rams vs. Rams, and it was fun to watch some players I used to write about during my RI Baseball Experience days that were on the URI team. The Diamond was entering its final year of operation, having supported not only VCU over the years, but also Minor League baseball in Richmond. The Richmond Braves were a mainstay in Richmond for over four decades. Then in 2009, the Flying Squirrels (SF Giants) swooped in to call The Diamond home. In the background of The Diamond was a construction site, which I later learned from stadium personnel was the site of a new ballpark to be called CarMax Park. And CarMax Park is where I visited Saturday night to catch another unique game featuring a Rhode Island connection.
The drive from Virginia Beach to Richmond is a pretty straightforward one. Route 64 takes you all the way into the City of Richmond and after exiting and a left, I was on N Arthur Ashe Boulevard staring at the Diamond to my right and the new CarMax Park to my left. I parked in roughly the same spot as I had a year prior, this time I followed the crowd out of the parking lot to the left and over to the entrance to CarMax. The Diamond is still there, not sure what the City of Richmond plans to do with it. I love old ballparks – their character, their history, their design – and was going to keep an open mind to CarMax, which opened in 2026. First impression, wow, this looks amazing.
I remember the first day I stepped into Polar Park in Worcester (MA), not sure how I would feel about visiting a park that took the place of my beloved McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket (RI). When I saw the beautiful construction and the clean, wide walkways in the concourse, and the modern conveniences of Polar Park, I was absolutely blown away. I still loved McCoy but could also learn to love Polar Park. I felt the same way walking into CarMax Park. The beauty of the modern look was just so impressive. Wide concourse, easy to read visuals for stadium locations, entertainment for the kids and adults alike throughout the front gate entrance. I was hooked the second I walked in and couldn’t wait to see more of the park. And of course catch a few innings of the Harrisburg Senators starting LHP, RI High School baseball legend Alex Clemmey.
After grabbing a few waters to attempt to cool off in the over 90 degree Richmond heat, Rachel and I found our seats along the third base line behind the Visitor’s dugout. We had a great view of the entire stadium and an excellent view of the pitcher vs. batter angle I wanted. After a quick top of the 1st inning, the Harrisburg Senators sent out Alex Clemmey, a Bishop Hendricken High School (Warwick, RI) kid who was originally drafted by the Cleveland Guardians, then traded to the Washington Nationals a year later, and has moved up the ranks of their minor league system ever since. Still only 20 years old, Clemmey is now at the Double A level and has a very bright future ahead of him in professional baseball. Saturday night would be the first time I had seen Clemmey pitch since his BHHS days. Pretty cool Rhode Island Baseball experience seeing a kid from RI doing so well in pro ball.
Personally, I love watching Double A baseball. To me, it is the creme of the crop talent wise in each organization. These players have moved up the minor league system, through the gauntlet of Rookie ball, the grind of Single-A seasons, and have come out proving that they have the stuff on the mound, in the field, at the plate to make that next HUGE jump to Triple-A, where they will be one player away from being called up to their ultimate goal, the Major League roster. Over the years, I have seen so many great Double A games and many of those players are now playing significant roles on their respective Major League clubs. If you have a chance, if you live near a Double A organization, I highly recommend going to a game. It will be something you tell friends, family, and co-workers for years, stating you saw this person pitch or that person hit before they were a big star at the MLB level.
As I tend to do at every baseball game I attend, I mix watching the game with experiencing the stadium’s many interesting features. CarMax Park has that new car smell still, it is that new. I mentioned the wide concourse area, that was awesome. The eating options are typical of ballpark food with one major exception. CarMax has a self-service market, sort of like what you would see at an airport, where folks can grab, pay, and go through a kiosk. I love that idea. Hot dogs, fries, sodas, waters, beer, popcorn, Italian Ice, Dots – all present and there were plenty of vendors so the lines were not so bad. Another hugely popular item on my checklist – the ability to walk the entire perimeter of the stadium in one continuous loop. Entertainment for the kids at every corner but especially in the outfield sections. Rachel and I did a complete lap in between watching Clemmey on the mound.
From the front gate security to the stadium valets to the concession stands workers, everyone was friendly and willing to make our Richmond baseball experience a positive one. With the park being so new, there wasn’t a ton of historical markers or plaques or signage up that I could find. No worries, I had fun just checking out all the positives a brand new, modern ballpark can offer a fan. And believe me, there are a ton of great entertainment and food options at CarMax Park, not to mention the awesome talent on the field.
And so, after watching Clemmey for his 5 plus inning stint, Rachel and I decided to pop into the Flying Squirrels Nest pro shop, grab a magnet, and head back on the road for our 1 hour 30 minute or so ride home to VA Beach. It was so awesome seeing Alex Clemmey pitch, he is doing fantastic and I wish him well this season and beyond on his journey to the Big Leagues. CarMax Park was amazing and new and clean and modern and I loved that the seating was mostly closer to the field, and that there was family friendly seating in the outfield. The shops, the food choices, the bar choices, the entertainment – all add up to a wonderful family, friendly night at the ballpark there at CarMax Park. Overall, it was another incredible Richmond baseball experience watching the Harrisburg Senators take on the home town Richmond Flying Squirrels at CarMax Park, Richmond, VA.
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