Answering 3 common fan questions about Squirrels' games

Simon Whiteman of the Richmond Flying Squirrels signed autographs before Sunday's game and told those who requested, "Hope you enjoy the game!"

Despite hitting .158 through his first 95 at-bats with Richmond, shortstop Marco Luciano, who is recovering from a bat injury, is viewed as the San Francisco Giants' top prospect.

School's out, or nearly so. Youngsters and their elders who head to The Diamond for Richmond Flying Squirrels’ games during the summer months may pack a few questions on their trips to North Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Where and when should autographs be sought? The best time is usually about 15 minutes before the first pitch, in the stands along the first-base line for the Flying Squirrels and the third-base line for the visiting team. Then, players are stretching and playing catch, their final warm-ups before the game begins. They commonly walk over to the stands to meet autograph requests.

"Bring a pen and paper (or something else to autograph), don't be pushy, and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’" advises Trey Wilson, the director of communications and broadcasting for the Flying Squirrels.

Most players build about five minutes into their daily schedule to sign and are happy to do so when asked by youngsters. Vaun Brown, a Flying Squirrels’ outfielder, recently recalled as a child being thrilled by interactions with professional players when they signed autographs for him at games in Sarasota, Fla., his hometown.

Before Sunday's game against Erie, Flying Squirrels’ infielder/outfielder Simon Whiteman signed some autographs and left the children he met with this: "Hope you enjoy the game!"

Wilson, also the play-by-play voice of the Flying Squirrels, recommends that autograph seekers keep a log of who has signed for them, and where the signature is on a ball, or glove, or paper. That's because players don't always have superior penmanship when autographing items. A reference sheet will help decipher the autographs in subsequent years, when that player may have elevated to the major leagues.

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Where is the best place to get a foul ball? The least expensive seats, general admission areas in the upper deck, are the most likely to be landing areas. The first-base side is the hottest spot for fouls. That's because most batters swing right-handed, and when they foul off a ball, it commonly flies to the right side.

When a batter swings left-handed, fouls usually go to the third-base side. And all batters foul balls straight back.

Some foul balls just barely carry outside the field and into the lower deck. The majority go high into the upper deck. Watch the game when the pitch is delivered because there are some foul liners that can do serious damage if not avoided.

During each nine-inning game played in dry conditions, the Flying Squirrels typically go through a minimum of 100 baseballs. If there's rain, or a wet field, that number usually increases to more than 150. Baseballs leave The Diamond via home runs, fouls, or a few other ways.

Some are kindly tossed to fans by players, coaches or managers. Balls are frequently disqualified from play by umpires who detect a scuff, a stain, a soft spot, or some other irregularity.

According to Chuck Domino, the former Flying Squirrels’ chief executive who has spent several decades in the baseball industry, about three dozen baseballs were used per minor league game in the 1980s. Since then, Domino said, it has become far more common for players to toss balls to fans and for umpires to discard balls that are slightly stained or scuffed.

What Squirrels’ player has the best shot at a long MLB career? Signs point to shortstop Marco Luciano. He's 21 and in Double-A. That's younger than any other Flying Squirrel on the roster. And Luciano is one of the few Flying Squirrels who are members of the San Francisco Giants’ 40-man roster, an indication that the organization views him as one of the system's rising players.

Luciano, a 6-foot-1 209-pounder from the Dominican Republic, is the rare middle infielder who hits with power. He began 2023 as the No. 36 prospect in the minor leagues and No. 1 in the Giants’ chain, according to Baseball America.

Luciano joined the Flying Squirrels in early May, about a month after the season began, because of a back injury he was rehabilitating.

"Once he gets comfortable with us and how we’re running things, I think you’re going to see another guy blossom and be what he (has been predicted) to be," Flying Squirrels manager Dennis Pelfrey said.

Nutzy is introduced at the Byrd on 2/11/2010.

Shay Webb, 2 yrs. old with Nutzy prior to the home-opener of the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond in Richmond VA Thurs. April 15, 2010.

Flying Squirrels opener 4/15/10 - Nutzy and fans

Richmond's newest mascot Nutzy has become an instant favorite of fans, and is especially popular with kids because of his quirky stunts like riding a skateboard on top of the dugout, handstands and balancing acts on superbox rails.

Richmond's newest mascot Nutzy has become an instant favorite of fans, and is especially popular with kids because of his quirky stunts like riding a skateboard on top of the dugout, handstands and balancing acts on superbox rails.

Erin Freeman coaching Nutzy for the Richmond Symphony Celebrity Maestro concert.

Dominion VIrginia Power CEO Paul Koonce (left) has his water bottle swiped by Nutzy during the United Way campaign kickoff at the Boys and Girls Club on northside in Richmond on Sept. 16, 2010.

Auditions for Nutzy the Flying Squirrel involved Q-94's Kash (left) and The X's Michael Mason (right) as judges and one of the contestants, who was invited to "mix it up" with the two. Nutzy's first birthday was also celebrated with games for kids outside the Diamond, and National Anthem auditions.

Mickey Caramucci, 5 of Richmond, got a kick out of an autograph from Nutzy during his first birthday party at the Diamond on Feb. 12, 2011.

Richmond Flying Squirrels player Roger Kieschnick watches as Nutzy glides from the sky during pregame at The Diamond on Thurs. April 7, 2011.

Jennifer Marshall (right), from Midlothian, photographs Richmond Flying Squirrels' Nutzy and her son Elliott, 2 yrs. old, who dressed up as Nutzy during the first Squirrel-o-ween at The Diamond Sun. Oct. 30, 2011.

Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy, left, lives up to his name as he pretends to autograph the shaved head of Super Bowl champion James Farrior, right, at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA Friday, April 27, 2012.

Shrinidhi Nadgouda (cqbb), 9, gets a high five and a gift bag from Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy, left, at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA Friday, April 27, 2012.

Nutzy the Flying Squirrel waves to fans from his 5th inning perch at the Diamond on May 28, 2012.

Nutzy, the mascot of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, stocks up on peanuts at Martin's Food Market in Richmond, VA Thursday, August 16, 2012.

Nutzy, Chris Heston and Nick Liles (right) greet fans and sign autgraphs before their home game on Jul 4, 2012.

Nutzy throws promotional items to fans during the Squirrels opening night game against New Britain Thursday, April 4, 2013.

Nutzy gets a high 5 from Rosita Harris being held by Jamie Cooney of the World Pediatric Project during a visit of Squirrels' to the Hospital Hospitality House.

Nutzy (left) and Richmond Times-Dispatch senior photographer Bob Brown after Brown threw one of the first pitches before the game between Richmond Flying Squirrels and Trenton Thunder at The Diamond in Richmond VA Fri. May 3, 2013.

DIAMOND DOGS: Nutzy gets a close look from Livvy an australian shepherd owned by Carolyn and Russell Bishop of PowhatanMonday, May 20, 2013.

Nutzy, dressed as Uncle Sam in honor of The Fourth of July, waits to take the field during a Richmond Flying Squirrels game at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, July 4, 2013

Drew Bowlin chats with Nutzy before a game against Akron at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, July 5, 2013

Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer and Nutzy make their way off of The Diamond after Beamer threw the ceremonial first pitch before a Flying Squirrels game in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, July 19, 2013

Nutzy donned a Santa hat and beard and on-field emcee Mike Murphy sported an elf suit during the Christmas in July Flying Squirrels' game at the Diamond, 7/21.

Nutzy dances with two-year-old Henry Edwards of Richmond on top of the Squirrels dugout in between innings as they play the Senators Friday, August 30, 2013.

Colin Ferguson gives a lift to his 2-year-old son Kieran Ferguson so he can meet Nutzy during the Puritan Cleaners' Coat for Kids Drive at the Diamond Saturday, November 9, 2013. His mom Deena Ferguson is on the right

Richmond Christmas Mother Kathie Markel, right, introduces her grandchild, Dabney Winston, 2, to Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy during a holiday party by Richmond Christmas Mother at Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond on Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

Richmond Flying Squirrels' Nutzy and Hunter Strickland dump water on Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe as he takes the ice bucket challenge prior to the start of the game at The Diamond in Richmond VA Fri. Aug. 22, 2014.

Nutzy's grand entrance at Squirrels home opener at the Diamond.

Responding to World Cup fever, Richmond's Flying Squirrel Nutzy (left, 20 with cape) and Mike Murphy (right, 5, without cape) pose at the Diamond in the soccer-inspired jerseys the Squirrels will wear during an upcoming homestand. The homestand that starts on Monday (6/23) will include a weekend with a promotional schedule dedicated to the World Cup (giving away soccer scarfs and mini-balls, plus Squirrels will wear soccer-style jerseys one game) as the Squirrels try to ride the World Cup wave.

Responding to World Cup fever, Richmond's Flying Squirrel Nutzy (left, 20 with cape) and Mike Murphy (right, 5, without cape) mashup soccer and baseball at the Diamond in soccer-inspired jerseys the Squirrels will wear during an upcoming homestand. The homestand that starts on Monday (6/23) will include a weekend with a promotional schedule dedicated to the World Cup (giving away soccer scarfs and mini-balls, plus Squirrels will wear soccer-style jerseys one game) as the Squirrels ride the World Cup wave.

Responding to World Cup fever, Richmond's Flying Squirrel Nutzy (20) poses at the Diamond in the soccer-inspired jerseys the Squirrels will wear during an upcoming homestand. The homestand that starts on Monday (6/23) will include a weekend with a promotional schedule dedicated to the World Cup (giving away soccer scarfs and mini-balls, plus Squirrels will wear soccer-style jerseys one game) as the Squirrels ride the World Cup wave.

Nutzy works the stadium during the Richmond Flying Squirrels Reading Fightin Phils game at The Diamond in Richmond VA Sun. July 6, 2014.

VCU mascot Rodney the Ram and Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy try out electric scooters on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

Richmond Christmas Mother April Niamtu is shown with Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy at The Diamond on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

Brini Sharpe, 4, and Kamari Stone, 5, both of Henrico, pose for a photo with Richmond Flying Squirrels' mascots, Nutzy and Nutasha, during the annual Squirrel-O-Ween event at The Diamond in Richmond on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019.

Nutzy arrives at the Diamond in a horse and buggy before the game as the Flying Squirrels take on the Bowie Baysox in their 2015 home opener on 4/9/15

Nutzy bobbleheads are placed for fans at the Diamond in Richmond on Monday, April 13, 2015.

Nutzy works the crowd during game between Richmond Flying Squirrels and Harrisburg Senators at The Diamond in Richmond VA Thurs. July 9, 2015.

Richmond Flying Squirrels' Nutzy greets children at the Diamond in Richmond on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

Richmond manager Jose Alguacil greets Nutzy at The Diamond, Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Flying Squirrels' Nutzy ice skated in West Broad Village on the opening day of The Rink Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Nutzy relaxes with fans on Thursday April 7, 2016.

In 2016, Richmond Flying Squirrels' new mascot Nutasha, right, posed with Nutzy before a game at The Diamond.

Nutzy gives Piersen Norris, a four-year-old who is battling cancer, a high five during the ASK Kourageous Kids Walk at the Diamond Saturday, April 30, 2016, during the Squirrels game against Hartford. On right are (L-R) his parents Bryasan and Troy Norris and his sister Wramsey Norris, age 10.

A dog from the Richmond SPCA looks around as Nutasha and Nutzy greet a dog at The Diamond during Bark in the Park night in Richmond VA Mon. May 9, 2016.

Nutzy and Nutasha lead swim teams walked around the baseball field for Swim Night at the Diamond before the Squirrels play Harrisburg Saturday June 4, 2016.

Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot Nutzy greets first graders of J.H. Blackwell Elementary School, who participate in a ground breaking ceremony for the revitalization of Blackwell Field, in Richmond on Thursday, June 16, 2016.

Nutzy dressed patriotically for the Flying Squirrels' game against the Reading Fightin Phils, July 4, 2016

Richmond Flying Squirrels' Nutzy, Eliezer Zambrano and Jose Casilla watch a game from the CBC Reds dugout as they visted the Flying Squirrels Regional Youth Baseball Tournament at the Ironbridge Sports Complex in Chesterfield County VA Sat. July 9, 2016.

Nutzy gets splashed by Todd "Parney" Parnell vice president, COO and general manager of the Flying Squirrels after they jumped into the pool for the Polar Plunge at Willow Lawn on Saturday Feb. 25, 2017. The plunge was to support Special Olympics Virginia's athletes.

Nutzy and Nutasha greet fans during the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Bowie Baysox game at The Diamond in Richmond VA Wed. April 26, 2017.

Nutzy and Nutasha, shown hanging out with fans during a 2017 game at The Diamond, have played major roles in delivering entertainment to Flying Squirrels supporters.

Jazmine Henley, left, looks at a picture she just shot of her daughters Mariah, 11, and Zania, 9, with Nutzy and Nutasha from the Richmond Flying Squirrels outside the new Walmart store on Nine Mile Rd. in eastern Henrico County, VA Wednesday, July 19, 2017. The store is the first Walmart Supercenterfor the community.

Nutzy entertains during the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Altoona Curve game at The Diamond in Richmond VA Wed. June 20, 2018.

Richmond Flying Squirrels' Nutzy entertains during the game against Hartford Yard Goats at the Diamond in Richmond VA Fri. Aug. 17, 2018.

Ellen Hagler, 4, of Richmond gives Nutzy a hug during a Squirrels game on Wednesday Aug. 29, 2018.

Nutzy pulls a prank on vendor Andre Wallace during a game on Wednesday Aug. 29, 2018.

Nutzy entertains the crowd during the Richmond Flying Squirrels game against Hartford Yard Goats June 27, 2019 at The Diamond in Richmond VA.

Nutzy rides a Bolt scooter at One James Center during the Squirrels' pep rally for Eastern League All-Star Week Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

Nutzy and Brian Jordan pose for a photo during the Flying Squirrels annual Hot Stove Banquet at the Siegel Center at VCU in Richmond VA Wed. Jan. 22, 2020.

John O’Connor (804) 649-6233

[email protected]

@RTDjohnoconnor on Twitter

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