Bryan Bostic continues to preach patience and long-term thinking for the Richmond area in its quest for a new professional baseball franchise.

Bostic is part of a local group formed to investigate potential franchise ownership.

His group has met with Minor League Baseball officials about Richmond's situation. Richmond will lose Atlanta's Triple-A club at the end of this season. Bostic emphasized yesterday the importance of Richmond "maximizing the opportunity" that the Braves' departure creates.

That could mean no professional baseball in Richmond for a year, or longer, Bostic said. He added that he would not be in favor of adopting a low-level franchise solely for the purpose of keeping The Diamond occupied in 2009. Waiting for a more advantageous scenario that may be available this year could benefit Richmond in the long run, according to Bostic.

He suggested it's possible that Richmond could gradually work its way back to Triple-A through affiliation with lower-level clubs. It's also possible that in a year or two, a Triple-A franchise may become available for Richmond, though none in the International League is this year.

Minor League Baseball, the national body that supervises all minor leagues affiliated with Major League Baseball, by the end of the summer is expected to identify a franchise that Minor League Baseball recognizes as the best fit for relocation to Richmond.

Minor League Baseball continues to talk with area public officials and Bostic's group to gain a feel for the goals of the Richmond area. Local ownership generally is a priority for Minor League Baseball. Bostic's group is believed to be working on a stadium plan.

"There are a lot of moving parts involved here," he said.

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