Construction of the baseball stadium in Gwinnett County, Ga., progresses on schedule, according to the project manager, and the Richmond territory may soon be released by the Atlanta Braves and International League, IL President Randy Mobley suggested.

"I'm going to be speaking with the Braves and the Minor League Baseball office next week on that subject," Mobley said yesterday.

The release starts the process of replacing the Richmond Braves, off to Gwinnett following this season. Mobley added that he is scheduled to be in Richmond for additional talks Aug. 31, when the R-Braves entertain Norfolk in the penultimate R-Braves' game.

"Whether something will happen before that, I don't know," Mobley said, speaking of the territory release.

Potential replacement clubs have been prohibited from contacting Richmond representatives until the Braves and IL grant the release, a sign that they are confident that Atlanta's Class AAA club will have a stadium in which to play next season. Mobley said any franchise that talks with Richmond officials before the territory release is subject to a $25,000 to $50,000 fine from Minor League Baseball.

The release initially was projected to come in mid-July by several sources involved in the process. A delay handicaps Richmond's effort to secure a team for 2009, according to Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority and spokesman for the multi-jurisdictional group that will negotiate with owner/operators who want to relocate here.

"We have had absolutely no conversation with any new team because Minor League Baseball says nobody can talk to nobody until the territory becomes available," Berry said earlier this week.

When the territory is released, Minor League Baseball is expected to announce the Richmond franchise's league affiliation. The top possibilities appear to be the Class A Carolina League and the Class AA Eastern League. Berry reiterated that an independent-league club, unattached to a Major League Baseball organization, also is an option.

The Braves have the contractual right to return their Class AAA club to Richmond next season. In August 2007, the RMA board and the Braves agreed to a three-year lease extension for use of The Diamond. The Braves were given the right to opt out of the lease each year, by Oct. 1. The deal was designed to appease the Braves, who for years had expressed dissatisfaction with The Diamond, and give Richmond more time to develop plans for a new stadium.

Still, no plans have surfaced. In Gwinnett, stadium-project supervisor Preston Williams said yesterday that workers are on-site 14 hours a day, six days a week, and some return for shorter Sunday shifts. More than 5,000 yards of concrete have been poured, crews are forming seating risers, and dugout and clubhouse foundations are in place.

Williams, managing director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau/Gwinnett Center, said he is confident Atlanta's Class AAA club will play in the $45 million, 10,500-seat facility in April. Mobley echoed that opinion and added, "I'm going to get a further update in the middle of next week," when he speaks with the Braves and Minor League Baseball representatives.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com.