A group representing Mariners ownership met with WA state
political leaders yesterday in Gov. Mike Lowry's office to
emphasize that they will put the team up for sale if there is no
new stadium plan in place by the end of the month.  Michael
Paulson reports in this morning's SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER the
team also stressed its willingness to contribute $45M toward the
cost of a new ballpark and that they plan to sign a 20-year lease
and share any profits with the community.  Lowry still hopes to
call a special session of the legislature to deal with the
stadium issue next week, but has made no progress toward a
possible bill (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 10/3).  A key lawmaker
told the TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE that a loss by the team yesterday
"could have taken some of the momentum away" from the stadium
effort.  The Mariners won their first division title over the
Angels (Turner & Callaghan, TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE, 10/3).

     If the DC area is going to have baseball next season, it
won't be in the form of the Montreal Expos, the team's owner said
yesterday.  Claude Brochu said he has no intention of selling the
club and plans to keep them in Montreal for at least two more
years.  Thom Loverro reports in this morning's WASHINGTON TIMES
that Brochu added if there is no improvement in attendance or a
new league revenue plan after the two-year period, he would have
to consider putting the club up for sale.  William Collins, head
of Virginia Baseball, still hopes to buy an existing team and
move it to Washington for the '96 season.  Baseball officials are
still reviewing the bid for the Pirates by CA newspaper heir
Kevin McClatchy, who would keep the club in Pittsburgh for the
time being.  Collins' group is also waiting on the situation in
Seattle, where the Mariners have given the state an October 30
deadline to finance a new stadium (WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/3).  A
Baltimore SUN editorial approves baseball in Northern VA,
opposing the view of Orioles Owner Peter Angelos (Baltimore SUN,
10/2).

     The Oilers expect to sign a non-binding letter of intent
Thursday with the Nashville Metro Council that would signal the
beginning of the team's move to TN.  John Williams reports in
this morning's HOUSTON CHRONICLE that the city would have a
series of milestones to reach to attain the team by March.  If
those are met on time, the Oilers will seek NFL permission to
move.  As part of the agreement, as long as Nashville continues
to meet deadlines, the Oilers will not negotiate with any other
city.  Oilers VP Mike McClure told the CHRONICLE that "in
reality, negotiations are almost over."  McClure: "If we get this
done Thursday, there won't be any talking with Houston or any
other city."  Williams reports the tentative schedule Nashville
officials must meet includes:  Metro Council approval of a
financing plan by December 1 that would raise $105M-$140M; state
Legislature approval of $67M-$80M from potential Oilers sales tax
revenues by February; private PSL funding raised by March.
McClure said a study by PSL consultant Max Muhleman showed that
sales of PSLs in the area "would do quite well" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/3).
     TIME TO REGROUP, RESET?  Houston Mayor Bob Lanier said
Monday the "best the region could probably offer" is a privately-
financed $125M open air stadium or refurbished Astrodome -- both
of which have been dismissed by Adams.  Lanier said he is putting
a committee together to discuss the city's need for new
facilities and what it would take to attract the NFL back if the
Oilers leave.  Williams notes that it will take a $275M-$300M
package similar to Nashville's to get the NFL back (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/3).