THESE MARINERS ARE UNWELCOME AT THE PORT OF SEATTLE

     The Port of Seattle told a committee charged with studying
the possibilities of a new stadium for the Mariners that it
"wants little to do with paying for a ballpark."  The Port said
it has budgeted every available dollar for the next five years
and has "a lengthy wish list should more money become available."
Port Commission President Pat Davis said baseball is not on that
list: "It would be a hard stretch to find where a new stadium
would fit into our mission statement."  The committee will hold a
final meeting January 11 before King County Executive Gary Locke
reviews its findings.  Expected to be in the report -- 35-45%
private financing with the public paying the remaining costs, but
no agreement on a domed, retractable dome or open-air ballpark
(Larry LaRue, Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 12/13).