Royals CEO David Glass has invited President Clinton to
throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Royals' home
opener on April 7 (K.C. STAR, 2/28)....Orioles Owner Peter
Angelos, who claims the team lost $5M last year, said he
will open his team's books in the next few weeks. Angelos:
"We'll show what the financials were and also provide a
complete look at the backups. I don't want people thinking
losses were just because of depreciation or whatever" (USA
TODAY, 2/28)....In Toronto, the GLOBE & MAIL's Gare Joyce
writes on Senators Owner Rod Bryden's threat to move the
team if season-ticket sales aren't doubled under the header
"Senators Owner Demands Loyalty Without Earning It." Joyce:
"Another owner of a Canadian-based team contemplates a move
to the evil empire, the United States. For some owners in
the past, this has been a rational exercise, the reluctant
weighing of options. For Bryden, it's just a matter of
doing business as he sees fit. As far as Bryden is
concerned, getting value mustn't necessitate the giving of
value, loyalty is demanded not earned" (Toronto GLOBE &
MAIL, 2/28)....The ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS' Alan Pearce examines
the ABL Colorado Xplosion's "successful" debut season. Team
GM Lark Birdsong: "We did very well in game operations and
merchandise. We're at the top of the league in merchandise
sales. We had 1,400 season-ticket sales; that is a strong
barometer for a first-year pro team. ... The first year was
a lot about awareness. Next year, it will be about creating
a need to attend games" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 2/27)....The
Blackhawks, along with United Airlines, became the first NHL
team to sponsor local amateur hockey on all levels by
creating a boys and girls tournament called the Blackhawk
Cup (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/28).