> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # August 4 Newsletter: The universal language of baseball - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/august-4-newsletter-the-universal-language-of-baseball/ - Published: 2025-08-04T10:00:35.000Z - Updated: 2025-08-04T10:00:34.000Z - Description: Plus, what happened last week with the city and a $5.8 million payment to a wrongly convicted man? Graham Moomaw has the backstory, and the resolution. Plus writing by Jerry Lindquist and Tom Allen. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** The humidity returns but the high stays manageable at 82. **On this date** in 1964, officials at the state Capitol issue a call for information about how the Bell Tower used to look, to help guide an upcoming refurbishment. --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/08/IMG_8121-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/a-universal-language-richmond-little-league-hosts-japanese-players-in-baseball-exchange-program/) ### 'A universal language': Richmond Little League hosts Japanese players in baseball exchange program A youth baseball team from Saitama, Japan is in Richmond this week, continuing a three-decade long exchange program. ⚾ Richmond players are adjusting to the custom of a postgame gift exchange, while Japanese players are soaking up a new culture. Their trip concludes today with a pair of games at 10 a.m. at Byrd Park, followed by a ceremony at City Hall. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/a-universal-language-richmond-little-league-hosts-japanese-players-in-baseball-exchange-program/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/08/city-hall-sign-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-officials-say-the-5-8m-bill-for-a-wrongful-conviction-was-a-surprise-but-the-city-slow-walked-a-response-for-months/) ### Richmond officials say the $5.8M bill for a wrongful conviction was a surprise. But the city slow-walked a response for months **Graham Moomaw** has the backstory on last week's biggest news item. The city said a threatening letter from Gov. Glenn Youngkin "felt like it came out of nowhere," but Moomaw traces the backstory of the requirement to a General Assembly hearing last year where Richmond did not speak out in opposition. [**Read more on the letter, and its fallout, here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-officials-say-the-5-8m-bill-for-a-wrongful-conviction-was-a-surprise-but-the-city-slow-walked-a-response-for-months/) **Also:** The city announced Friday afternoon it would schedule a [special meeting of City Council](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-officials-set-special-meeting-to-move-forward-with-paying-wrongfully-convicted-man/) in order to move forward with the payment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/08/Richmonder_AroundTown_Texture_040825-1.jpg) ### Feature writing from special guest authors: - [**Jerry Lindquist: Ron Atkins didn't intend to be a baseball lifer, but found success at Tucker and UR**](https://www.richmonder.org/jerry-lindquist-ron-atkins-didnt-intend-to-be-a-baseball-lifer-but-found-success-at-tucker-and-ur/) - [**Tom Allen on Faith and Values: Check, Please!**](https://www.richmonder.org/on-faith-and-values-check-please/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/08/25in25logo--2--1--1-.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-presents-25-in-25/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/08/Brian-and-Michaela-1.jpeg)](https://www.richmonder.org/25-in-25-brian-bills-and-michaela-ross-create-new-friendships-through-old-traditions/) The 25 in '25 series honors the people who make us proud to be Richmonders. ### Brian Bills and Michaela Ross create new friendships through old traditions In the Jewish faith, the Shabbat dinner is a weekly opportunity to reflect and come together. Bills and Ross have turned that occasion into a community of nearly 100 people who share an open invitation into their home each Friday. When they send out the week's invitation, they include a conversational prompt to guide the discussion. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/25-in-25-brian-bills-and-michaela-ross-create-new-friendships-through-old-traditions/) --- ### In other news - [**Do you think VDOT should close Exit 80? A survey lets you weigh in.**](https://www.henricocitizen.com/do-you-think-vdot-should-close-exit-80-a-survey-lets-you-weigh-in/) (Henrico Citizen) - [**Chesterfield County opens first two-story elementary school**](https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-07-31/am-davis-elementary-school-chesterfield-county-kenya-batts-john-murray) (VPM) - [**Goochland wants to lure large tech companies to the Route 288 corridor**](https://richmond.com/news/local/business/development/article%5F1ec574cb-66b5-4c39-8c22-5c3f2b3367c6.html#tracking-source=home-top-story) (Times-Dispatch) --- ### The editor's desk Two baseball stories in one newsletter is purely a coincidence, but it's my kind of coincidence. Get yourself some peanuts and Cracker Jack and it'll be a lovely Monday in Richmond. *Michael Phillips, founding editor* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Want to support The Richmonder? [**Become a donor for $9.99 a month**](https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xm7EWefggx29AP) and keep quality local journalism in the community.