FRANCHISE DEATH WATCH I: BREWERS ON BELTWAY OR TOBACCO ROAD?

     If the WI legislature fails to approve a plan for a new
stadium for the Brewers, the team will leave town, possibly to DC
or Charlotte, according to the the AP's Dan Hanley. Without
approval of the stadium, the Brewers could be playing next season
at RFK Stadium or Charlotte's Knight's Castle (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 9/26).  Mike Scanlon, Exec VP of Virginia Baseball,
said the group led by William Collins has had talks with the
Brewers ownership (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/26).  Meanwhile, WI State
Assembly Speaker David Prosser has yet to line up the 50 votes
necessary for a financing plan to build a new $250M ballpark for
the team.  Prosser said he would not bring the issue to the floor
until he had support, but he insisted the vote will take place
tomorrow.  Prosser said he gained support yesterday by expanding
the taxing districts responsible for funding the stadium to
include Racine County, just south of Milwaukee (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 9/26).