Parker Field

Two baseball stories that concern local baseball fans broke today. The Defenders, from Connecticut, are moving to Richmond for next season. Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, who played for the Richmond Braves in 1967, announced he will retire after the 2010 season.
To remember the way it was in Cox's day at Parker Field, now, dear reader, you can buy a rare and authentic souvenir from baseball in Richmond in the era before The Diamond was built and opened in 1985.

To scare up some money and clear out some space I'm offering my two grandstand seats from Parker Field (1954-84) to the highest bidder. Having been kept indoors for the last 25 years, they are basically in the same shape they were in at the last game at Parker Field, when I pulled them up from the general admission stands on the third base line.

By the way, the authorities allowed it and lots of other people did the same thing. My girlfriend at the time, Tana Dubbe (pictured below at Parker Field, before we got the seats in the eighth inning), helped me pull them loose.

Still, I've never seen any of those liberated-from-the-wrecking-ball seats for sale. So, I don't have much of an idea of what they're worth. Note: I prefer to sell them locally, because they are made of wood and cast iron, so they are kind of heavy for shipping.

The bidding starts at $180.00, because I would rather keep them if I can't get that much. Obviously, I hope they are worth more to someone.

To make a bid please use the comments section of this post, or email me at ftrea9@yahoo.com. The 1976 Nokona glove in the top photo is not included in the sale. Maybe these two old seats would make the perfect gift for someone you know. Play ball!