William Forrester Jr., the executive director of the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League, says a promised infusion of support from Richmond’s Diamond District development has not materialized, leaving the league without the resources it was counting on.
Founded to give African‑American youth in Richmond a chance to play baseball, the MJBL has grown into a cornerstone of the city’s sporting culture, relying on a network of sponsors and volunteers to keep its programs alive.
Among its most visible partners is the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double‑A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, which has helped fund equipment, field access and community events for the league.
Unmet Promises in the Diamond District
In 2022, RVA Diamond Partners unveiled a proposal that pledged funding and essential supplies for the league, a promise that generated excitement across the neighborhood and beyond.
When the development team changed, Diamond District Partners, LLC, the new steward of the project, sent an email to Forrester stating that they could not address the community‑benefit obligations and redirected him to the Flying Squirrels for assistance.
Despite the setback, Forrester remains upbeat, emphasizing that the league’s mission to nurture young talent endures and that he will continue to fight for the children of Richmond.