Minor League Baseball officials today and tomorrow will get a feel for Richmond, its baseball stadium and potential owner/operators of a new franchise.

Minor League Baseball will play a significant role in deciding what franchise moves into Richmond after the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate relocates to Gwinnett, Ga., following this season.

"What we want to present to them is that we are very interested, we want to continue to support professional baseball, and we want to have somebody in here in 2009," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which controls The Diamond.

A t this stage, Berry serves as the "facilitator" -- his word -- for communication between Minor League Baseball and Richmond and its surrounding counties.

A few representatives from Minor League Baseball, based in St. Petersburg, Fla., will hold meetings today and tomorrow with area officials and others interested in bringing a franchise here. The guests also will tour The Diamond. It opened in 1985 and is unsatisfactory for continued use as a Triple-A park, in the estimation of the Atlanta Braves, who own the Richmond Braves.

Jim Ferguson, the director of media relations for Minor League Baseball, called the visit "a very preliminary fact-finding trip."

From what Berry can ascertain, Minor League Baseball officials are "very upbeat and positive on Richmond. It's a matter of keeping us all pointed in the same direction. We'll see where it leads.

"I think there's plenty of interest out there [in Richmond as the home for a franchise], I can tell you that."

Among the topics of conversation surely will be what level of professional baseball could come to Richmond -- Class A, Double-A, Triple-A, or an independent league club.

"I don't think that's been [settled] one way or another," Berry said. "It goes to availability, who may be available, who wants to come, and that kind of thing. Right now, we're just trying to position ourselves in the community as best we can to take advantage of the opportunity."

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