Flying Squirrels Named 2026 Organization of the Year
The Richmond minor league baseball club earned the top industry honor following a record-breaking debut at CarMax Park.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Baseball
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Minor League Baseball selected the Richmond Flying Squirrels as the 2026 Organization of the Year. The team secured the recognition after a standout season that saw them outperform 119 other clubs across the United States and Canada.
Why it matters
The prestigious award recognizes excellence across all business and baseball operations, highlighting the team's significant impact on the sport and local community in Richmond. It represents the highest honor in the league, reflecting both operational success and fan engagement.
Nearly 500,000 fans attended games at the newly opened CarMax Park in 2026, setting a new franchise record. This attendance total marks the highest figure recorded by an Eastern League team since 2005.
The players
Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are a professional Minor League Baseball team based in Richmond, Virginia.
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were a former professional baseball team that previously won the Organization of the Year award in 1997.
The details
The Flying Squirrels received the honor during the annual MiLB Business Summit, where the league evaluated the team's achievements across all facets of their organization. The award follows the successful April 2026 opening of CarMax Park, which served as the hub for the franchise's record-setting season.
Timeline
1997: The Richmond Braves previously won the Organization of the Year award.
2005: The last time an Eastern League team saw such attendance figures.
April 2026: CarMax Park officially opened to the public.
October 13, 2026: The Richmond Flying Squirrels received the award during the MiLB Business Summit.
Season Trajectory
This award marks the first time a Richmond-based team has received this honor since the Richmond Braves won it in 1997. The recognition cements the Flying Squirrels as the premier franchise in the Eastern League following their historic attendance marks.
The franchise record of nearly 500,000 attendees indicates a massive surge in local interest for home games at CarMax Park. This trend suggests increased demand for ticket availability and potential expansion of fan amenities for the upcoming season.
The takeaway
The Flying Squirrels' success illustrates the power of modern infrastructure to revitalize local interest in professional minor league sports. Communities can leverage such momentum by prioritizing fan experience to drive sustainable growth in attendance.
Further reading
For more on the local team's accomplishments, visit the Richmond Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 8News.
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