Richmond’s new baseball stadium is a giant leap forward. But please calibrate your expectations.

The first thing you see at CarMax Park is that you don’t see it.

For baseball fans who grew up with The Diamond, or Richmonders who drive by its imposing concrete shell every day on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, this is a jarring change.

It’s also for the best.

Unlike The Diamond, which for 40 years made fans walk a giant staircase to view the action from above, CarMax Park invites spectators to immerse themselves in the game and the camaraderie.

With no upper deck, seats feel closer to the action. (Photos by Victoria A. Ifatusin/The Richmonder)

Every seat has a great view of the game, and spacious outfield areas will cater to fans who are more interested in socializing than double plays, complete with a playground for kids.

A giant video board will allow for more of the wacky activities that make minor-league baseball great, while a commitment to public art makes it feel like Richmond.

That's to say nothing of the under-the-hood improvements. I've covered Major League Baseball, and the Squirrels' player facilities are absolutely at that level. Without having seen all of them, there's probably not a nicer minor-league clubhouse in America.

Artist Matt Lively works on a mural on display in the bar area behind home plate.

Working out the kinks

If baseball is America’s pastime, complaining about change has always been Richmond’s.

Last week, The Richmonder was invited to a food sampling for season-ticket holders, media and other sponsors.

After that event, the Times-Dispatch's food writer recommended that fans "pack their own lunch," writing about "what I was told was a brisket sandwich."

It's true that L'Opossum doesn't have a booth on concession row. The food on the concourse largely represents a continuation of what was served at The Diamond, rather than a new culinary frontier.

Nachos are served in a batting helmet that fans can keep.

However, the logistics have been greatly improved. Grab-and-go areas allow fans to pick up Squirrely Fries and hot dogs, scan them at a kiosk, and return to their seats. This should cut down on the amount of time spent waiting in line, a big issue at The Diamond.

The grab-and-go areas also have salads and other healthier options. The Richmonder opted not to sample those, but we’re glad they’re available.

One area where CarMax Park excels is its bar scene. There are three large areas, one behind home plate, with expansive bars as well as table seating and standing areas. The home-plate bar appears to be built from baseball bats, a nice touch.

For deep-pocketed fans, or those well positioned at large area corporations, the premium areas are show-stoppers. Built to entertain, they also offer comfortable seating with a great view of the game. Two members-only lounges will be the new places business gets done in Richmond, complete with restaurant-quality food.

"Railcar" premium areas in the outfield allow for socializing and baseball watching.

Those areas, and their high price tags, will subsidize something Squirrels officials said was important to them, which is keeping a night at the ballpark within reach for the average family.

Baseball fans will benefit from the thoughtful layout of the stadium. The Squirrels have offset the premium areas and suites down the first and third-base lines, leaving the best seats behind home plate for the sports lovers.

Concession prices

Bottom line

If you’re attending either Thursday’s opening concert or the April 7 Opening Day, pack your patience – there’s work to be done and kinks to work out. A fair assessment of CarMax Park probably won’t be possible until the start of the 2027 season, after it has been lived in for a year.

The Squirrels gained local fame for their lavish, over-the-top presentation of promotions, uniforms, and anything else that can be made “funn.” That will surely come in time at CarMax Park, but at opening, set your expectations for a pleasant night at a baseball game. That's a bar that the new facility will easily clear.

Tickets are already going quickly for the inaugural season, and it won’t take long for the stadium to establish itself as a fixture of summer nights in Richmond.

Yes, you don’t see CarMax Park until you’re ready to cross under its industrial-style archway, but don’t mistake the shorter footprint for a venue that’s short on ambition.

The new stadium will change the way Richmonders watch baseball, allowing for more socializing and a closer connection with the players and the game.

Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.