Twins Owner Carl Pohlad said that he "is committed to
selling the team" to a group of investors who plan to move it
to NC after next season, according to Patrick Sweeney of the
ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS. In Phoenix, MLB owners appointed a
five-man committee Tuesday to guide the team through the
"sport's relocation rules and expedite the sale." Committee
Member/Rockies Chair Jerry McMorris: "We really don't want to
give up on Minnesota. But the bottom line is you have to do
what you have to do." Carl Pohlad's son, Bob, said that MLB
owners "probably will not take a final vote on the sale until
mid-February or early March and that owners could reject" the
sale to NC business exec Don Beaver if MN legislators "agreed
to build a ballpark by that time" (PIONEER PRESS, 11/19).
CHARLOTTE'S WEB: The Charlotte Chamber yesterday hosted
"a private meeting for about 15 business and civic leaders
who decided to put together a plan to bring baseball to
Charlotte, including an uptown ballpark" that could cost more
than $200M, according to Moore & Rhee of the CHARLOTTE
OBSERVER. The group "found itself in the delicate position
of trying to ready a plan -- but not appearing to undermine
the Greensboro area's efforts to land a team." Chamber Chair
Sharon Decker: "The Triad is sitting in the driver's seat
right now. We will look at alternatives if there is a need
for one" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/19). Beaver said that he
was "encouraged" by the news out of Phoenix and Charlotte:
"All of this is a confirmation of our efforts and a signal to
move ahead" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 11/19).
