LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels have been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Minor League Baseball Organization of the Year Award, MiLB announced on Tuesday morning.
The Organization of the Year Award celebrates the overall achievements of an MiLB club which has demonstrated excellence across all business functions and in baseball operations. The award, which is selected from the 120 Minor League Baseball clubs across the United States and Canada, was presented at the annual MiLB Business Summit in Louisville on Tuesday.
In 2026, the Flying Squirrels celebrated the opening of CarMax Park, their new home ballpark and multi-use entertainment venue for year-round events. In this year’s baseball season, the Flying Squirrels drew 468,961 fans, a new franchise record and the highest total attendance in the Eastern League since 2005.
The Flying Squirrels also set a team record with 7,105 fans per game, the league’s highest average attendance since 2004. Richmond has led the 30 Double-A MiLB clubs nationwide in total and average attendance every year since 2022, seeing increases in both categories for each of those five seasons.
“This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our entire organization,” Flying Squirrels Chief Operating Officer Ben Rothrock said. “From opening CarMax Park and welcoming a record number of fans to continuing our mission of making meaningful impacts throughout the Richmond community, 2026 has been an incredible year for our organization. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful to our fans, partners and community. The future is bright and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum.”
Leading into the 2026 season, the Flying Squirrels launched a new branding and uniform set, bringing a refreshed look to one of MiLB’s most popular identities.
As part of the club’s commitment to women and girls in sports, the Flying Squirrels became the first team to feature a female mascot character on its on-field uniform with the launch of their Nutasha brand. The team hosted a free youth softball clinic ahead of its annual Women & Girls in Sports Night along with other initiatives.
Continuing a key pillar of the franchise since its founding to be impactful in the Richmond community, the team’s 501(c)3 non-profit, Flying Squirrels Charities, partnered with CarMax Park general contractor Gilbane Building Company for renovation projects at several Richmond Public Schools baseball and softball fields. The Flying Squirrels also collaborated with Richmond Public Schools and the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League to launch elementary baseball programs at eight schools and assisted with facilitating uniforms and equipment.
Among other community initiatives, the Flying Squirrels continued their Go Nuts for Reading campaign, which reaches tens of thousands of students across the Richmond region annually. In the ballpark, the team hosted community events including Disability Inclusion Day, Richmond 34 Legacy Weekend, Pride Night, Copa Nights and Virginia Tribal Heritage Night.
The 2027 Flying Squirrels season opens Friday, April 2 at CarMax Park against the Altoona Curve. Season Memberships for the 2027 season are on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com.