The decline and fall of the relationship between the Richmond region and the Atlanta Braves did not begin last week.

The problems began years ago, and a pattern is obvious. The more groups that are involved in the discussions about building a stadium, the less likely something is to get done.

In 2004 the Braves, who have their Triple-A franchise here, were working on an agreement with the Richmond Metropolitan Authority for an extensive renovation of The Diamond.

It wasn't perfect, but it was workable, and the Atlanta Braves organization, with no other options, was willing to make the deal.

Then, outside interests got involved. The Braves wanted a year to study other proposals.

Such sites as Shockoe Bottom, Mayo Island and the Fulton Gas Works were discussed.

The Shockoe Bottom plan began as a $58 million enterprise, morphed into a $330 million mixed-use development and finally failed. The talk was big, but the money was nonexistent.

Now, the R-Braves, who have been here since 1966, are leaving for Gwinnett County, Ga.

If we have learned anything from this, it is that the local governments are going to have to provide the majority of funds to build a new stadium.

The officials in the city of Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties need to decide whether a professional baseball team is important to the region.

If the answer is yes, everyone needs to understand there is no simple, inexpensive solution.

If the idea is to avoid repeating all the mistakes that sent the R-Braves south, the plan to do so needs to incorporate several essential elements.

Everyone should get used to the idea that there might be no baseball in Richmond in 2009.

Technically, the R-Braves can play here two more seasons. To do so would be a public relations nightmare.

When the 2008 season ends, the Braves need to leave, even if that means finding a temporary home in the Gwinnett area for the 2009 season.

One hour after the last pitch is thrown in the R-Braves' 2008 season, demolition should begin on The Diamond.

As long as The Diamond stands, someone will want to renovate it. We're past that point.

A five-person committee should be formed to facilitate the return of professional baseball to the area.

Each locality will appoint one representative. The fifth person will come from the community and must be someone who is well-versed in the business of sport. Several such people already call this area home.

If it is necessary to make these people temporary members of the RMA, so be it.

If a locality or private enterprise wants to go it alone, build a stadium and find a team, it is welcome to do so.

But it must make that declaration before opening day of the 2008 season. Then, it must agree to fund the operation and not come back and ask that this become a "regional" project.

Lacking that, the five-person committee will be responsible for identifying no more than three potential sites for the stadium, interviewing architects and generating preliminary designs.

The committee also will negotiate with the minor-league organization that wants to place a team here.

And that organization will be told: Here's the deal. There is room for negotiation. Let's talk. But we're not talking long because we want the stadium built and the team playing in 2010. And do not even think about trying to bring in someone to play one side against the other.

In return, you're getting a state-of-the-art stadium and a region hungry for the return of baseball.

There are other ways to try to get this done. The past four years are proof they don't work.