N.L. BOSS HINTS ASTROS COULD MOVE WITHOUT MORE FAN SUPPORT

     NL President Leonard Coleman, in Houston to drum up support
for an Astros season ticket drive, hinted they might be allowed
to move to VA if projections are not met.  According to the
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Coleman said it would be unfair to force Owner
Drayton McLane to continue assuming huge losses.  Coleman: "We
can't look at a private entrepreneur and say year after year
you've got to run up deficits. ... If Houstonians step up to the
plate, we'll be in good shape" (John William, HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
1/9).  Since McLane's November announcement that he would give
the city one more chance, only 3,500 season tickets have been
sold -- 900 of which are new orders.  The Astros need to sell
approximately 18,000 more season tickets and at least 12,000
other seats per game to meet the attendance goal of 2.5 million
fans next season (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/10).