RiverRats Exiting Richmond

Don McBride Stadium at John Cate Field was home to the 'Rats and originally opened in 1936 as Municipal Stadium.

After seven years, the RiverRats of the Prospect League are leaving Richmond. The Palladium-Item reports the co-owners of the collegiate summer league organization looked into other options such as joining a different league to keep a team in Richmond.

The ownership group includes Deanna Beaman, John Cate and Duke Ward. Beaman told the publication "that second week in August, you kind of evaluate things. We knew attendance was not where it needed to be, it was just one of those years. It really takes all those components to be in a certain place to make it work. It’s a sad day that we have to come to this realization, but at the same time it’s been a great seven years, the ‘Rats have done a lot for the community, we appreciate all of that from that side of things."

At the end of August, the team noted on their website that average attendance was just over 570 fans per game. The Palladium-Item says it’s the team’s lowest attendance since 2009. In July, Richmond hosted the Prospect League All-Star game.

In addition to several teams throughout the Midwest, the league also features Indiana teams the Terre Haute Rex, Kokomo Jackrabbits and the unnamed Lafayette expansion franchise set to begin next season.

Beaman told the publication she and the other owners are "always looking for opportunities" to potentially bring another team to the Wayne County city.