RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- For the first time ever, Richmond's own Flying Squirrels have been named the 2026 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Organization of the Year. The Squirrels received this honor during the annual MiLB Business Summit on Tuesday, Oct. 13, winning out over the 119 other MiLB baseball clubs across America and Canada. This award "celebrates the overall achievements of an MiLB club which has demonstrated excellence across all business functions and in baseball operations," per a press release from the team. It's been a busy year for the Squirrels. The brand-new CarMax Park opened back in April -- and just under half a million fans checked it out during the 2026 baseball season. This historic attendance marked a new franchise record and the highest in the Eastern League since 2005. "This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our entire organization,” said Flying Squirrels chief operating officer Ben Rothrock in the release. "From opening CarMax Park and welcoming a record number of fans to continuing our mission of making meaningful impacts throughout the Richmond community, 2026 has been an incredible year for our organization. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and grateful to our fans, partners and community. The future is bright and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum." This is the first time the Squirrels have ever brought home this award, but it's not the first time a Richmond team has received it. The Richmond Braves previously won it in 1997. ...read more read less