Frequently asked questions about the departure of the Richmond Braves:

Q: Why can't another Triple-A team come to Richmond now that the Braves have left?

A: The simple answer is Richmond does not have a franchise. The Atlanta Braves owned the franchise and are taking it with them to Gwinnett, Ga. That leaves 13 other franchises in the Triple-A International League, and none are looking to sell their operation or move here.

The key is understanding that a minor-league owner and a major-league affiliate are separate entities. Most minor-league franchises are owned by individuals, groups or communities. The owner then partners with a major-league team to provide players and equipment, usually for twoor four-year periods.

If either the owner or the major-league affiliate sours on the relationship, they're free to switch when their contract ends. Columbus, for example, has been affiliated with the Washington Nationals the past two years. Columbus recently announced it will sever its partnership with the Nats after this season. The franchise stays in Columbus with a new affiliate next year. The Nationals have partnered with Syracuse for next season.

Atlanta's situation in Richmond was different because the Braves are the only major-league team that owns a Triple-A franchise. They grew tired of waiting for a new stadium to be built in Richmond, so they moved.

Q: Why couldn't the Washington Nationals put a Triple-A team here?

A: The Nationals do not own a Triple-A franchise. They can only partner with one of the existing franchises in Triple-A, and Richmond no longer has a franchise. No franchise, no affiliation. 

Q: Why can't a team from the other Triple-A league, the Pacific Coast League, be shifted to the IL and move to Richmond?

A: Theoretically, it's possible. Realistically, it's not going to happen. The PCL has 16 teams based mostly in the West and Midwest. The IL has 14 teams based mostly in the East and Northeast. In order to keep balanced schedules, two teams would have to shift from the PCL to the IL. And both leagues are happy with their configurations.

Q: Can we get a Double-A team that would be affiliated with the Nationals?

A: That's a good possibility at some point. The Double-A Eastern League has two teams, the Connecticut Defenders and the Erie Sea Wolves, whose owners may be looking to sell or relocate to another city.

Let's say Connecticut's ownership sells its franchise to a local group in Richmond, putting our city in the Eastern League in 2009. The Defenders are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Assuming that partnership is extended for two years, Richmond would become a Giants affiliate through 2010.

After that expires, Richmond's ownership would be free to seek a new affiliate. The Nationals are affiliated through 2010 with Harrisburg, Pa., in the Eastern League. If the Nationals decided Richmond was more attractive than Harrisburg, they would switch.

Q: Will Richmond be able to move back to Triple-A in the future?

A: Yes, but probably not for a while. A Triple-A team in the International League would have to be for sale. There has been discussion of a merger of the two Triple-A leagues, which would expand the pool of sale possibilities, but that probably won't happen for several years. And once a Double-A or Single-A team comes here, ownership can't move up to Triple-A without paying a hefty territorial compensation fee.