Photo by Steve Hedberg
What the City Needs More Than a Training Camp A new baseball stadium Other than restating their desire for a new facility, the Richmond Flying Squirrels didn't have much to say about this one. But we imagine that the quick turnaround on the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center has probably added a certain frisson to discussions between the team and the city about replacing the Diamond. 2. Improved schools 3. Improved roads Best Local Ride, Walk or Run Monument Avenue 10K The folks at Sports Backers get together after every Monument Avenue 10K to go over what worked, what didn't and what needs to be improved, says PR and Communications Manager Jackie Stoneburner, but one element of the race always delivers — Monument Avenue itself. "It's so beautiful," she says. "You couldn't do the same race on Broad Street." 2. Belle Isle 3. Canal Walk 3. Monument Avenue 10K
2013 Best & Worst
Best Reason to Check Out Training Camp RGIII To borrow a phrase from baseball hall-of-famer Reggie Jackson, quarterback Robert Griffin III is the straw that stirs the Washington Redskins' drink. Though he re-injured his knee in last year's playoff loss to Seattle, Griffin has expressed confidence that he'll be back, better than ever, and a city of Redskins fans is hopeful he'll show that in Richmond. 2. Fit men in tight pants 3. Chance to meet players Best Sports Radio Show Hardly Workin' With Greg Burton, ESPN 950 Don't let the name of his show fool you — when we caught up with Greg Burton, he was on a break from teaching a class at VCU's Center for Sport leadership. Despite sports radio's reputation as a venue for screaming matches, Burton notes that the debates don't descend to that level here in Richmond. "It's a conversation with listeners," he says, "and I want to have that conversation." 2. Wes McElroy, Sports Radio 910 3. SportsPhone With Big Al, ESPN 950 Best Local Sports Masco t Nutzy We're not ashamed to admit that we were a little skeptical when the Flying Squirrels' mascot was originally introduced, but the squirrel superhero has won us over (and apparently you, too), thanks to his high-energy antics during games and a full schedule of entertaining public appearances away from the Diamond. 2. Rodney the Ram 3. WebstUR Other Ways to Describe VCU Basketball Besides "Havoc" Awesome Well of course you'd say that. But what about the teams that have to face VCU's full-court pressure? We're guessing they might use words such as infuriating, annoying, frustrating, aggravating, exasperating, irritating … 2. Inspiring 3. Intense Best Public Golf Course Independence Golf Club 897-8641 Given that it's the home course of the Virginia State Golf Association and the home of the State Open of Virginia, it's probably not surprising that Independence took top honors. But a lot of hard work goes into keeping it on top, says Mike West, the general manager and director of golf at Independence: "Our superintendent does an outstanding job keeping our greens in good shape." 2. Belmont Golf Course 3. (Tie) The Crossings Golf Club and Hunting Hawk Golf Club Best Spectator Sports Experience Richmond Flying Squirrels 359-3866 "If we're not getting better, we're getting worse," says Jon Laaser, the Squirrels' director of broadcasting, of the team's philosophy. One promotion we'd love to see again is 2010's "Will It Fly." A helicopter hovering over the field dropped various items — watermelons, cakes — to see if they'd fly. (None did.) "I don't think it will return in that form," Laaser says, laughing. "Some of the stuff we dropped on the field made a few dents." 2. VCU men's basketball Best Local Sportscaster Lane Casadonte, WTVR-6 WTVR Sports Director Lane Casadonte has adapted to the 24-hour news cycle by keeping his station's reports hyper-focused on Richmond-specific stories, from high-school athletes to the high-profile men's basketball program at VCU. "As much as they're on national TV," he says of the Rams, "you're not going to learn as much about them as you will with us." 2. Marc Davis, WWBT-12 3. Wes McElroy, Sports Radio 910 Best Social Sports League for Meeting People River City Sports and Social Club Given that the main sponsor is Bud Light, it's safe to say that athletics is secondary to socializing for River City Sports and Social Club, whether we're talking about football, kickball, volleyball, wiffleball, broomball or dodgeball. That said, each sport has two to three divisions, organized according to ability. Sadly, founder Sean Small doesn't play in any of his leagues: "I don't have time." 2. Richmond Volleyball Club 3. Richmond Flying Squirrels games Best Bar to Hang Out in When Your Team Has Lost the Big Game Home Team Grill 1630 W. Main St., 254-7360; 11351 Nuckols Road, Glen Allen, 967-9060 If your team blew it in the fourth quarter, Home Team Grill is ready to comfort you, whether you're an emotional eater — hello, Major League Nachos! — or you prefer to take your solace in the form of beer, wine or mixed drinks. If neither approach is working, perhaps another game is starting on one of Home Team's many flat screens? 2. Gus' Bar & Grill 3. Buffalo Wild Wings Best Recreational Sports Facility or Park Byrd Park The tennis complex alone might be enough to get Byrd Park the win, but when you add in the baseball fields, the Vita Course, the field in front of the Carillon where Ultimate players gather and the jogging trails, it's a no-brainer. 2. Maymont 3. Deep Run Park Biggest Sports Legend Arthur Ashe Once again, Richmonders prove that they know their history. Shaka and Justin may get there someday, but it'll be a while before they surpass the man who overcame segregation to become a tennis champion as famous for what he did off the court — authoring three books on the history of African-American athletes, engaging in activism for numerous social causes — as he was for his accomplishments as a player. 2. Shaka Smart 3. Justin Verlander
