At least one Richmonder seems optimistic regarding uninterrupted professional baseball here following the Richmond Braves' departure.

Robert M. "Mike" Berry is the general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which is, basically, landlord of The Diamond. The RMA includes representation from the city and surrounding counties. The Triple-A Richmond Braves, who opened for business here in 1966, are scheduled to leave Richmond after this season.

A Q-and-A with Berry, interviewed yesterday:

Have you been contacted by owner/operators of baseball clubs interested in the Richmond market?

"Yes."

Can you elaborate?

"No."

Can you give me a guess at the number? If I said, three to five?

"That would probably be pretty accurate."

If I said Double-A and lower?

"What circumstances may occur out there with Triple-A, Double-A, Single-A, [that's] kind of hard to say. We want to make sure we take advantage of what's in the best interest of the community, the Richmond region. We're not precluding any option at this point . . . .There are obviously a wide range of scenarios out there."

Are you optimistic that there will be professional baseball in Richmond in 2009?

"Yes."

-- John O'Connor