REDS BALLPARK OPTIONS ALL POINTING TOWARD CINERGY

          In his "most definitive comments to date about the
     Reds," Hamilton County, OH, Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said
     that a future Reds ballpark "belongs on the riverfront,"
     which Hobson & Michaud write "all but" ends the "river vs.
     Broadway Commons debate."  Bedinghaus' comments "have made
     renovation [of Cinergy Field] the leading option." 
     Bedinghaus: "If you've got the best location and we can
     create the new ballpark experience in the old one, that
     doesn't sound like a half-bad solution."  Bedinghaus also
     said that a stadium site "would be announced" by March 31   
     -- Opening Day.  Reds Managing CEO John Allen could not be
     reached for comment yesterday (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/8).
          BENGALS CLOSER? Bedinghaus said Tuesday that a stadium
     deal, including a land swap, for the Bengals could be done
     "by the end of the month" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/7). 
     Cleveland Mayor Michael White, asked if the city would be
     interested in the Bengals if a deal in Cincy is not reached:
     "I believe that the long-term fallout and intrastate strife
     resulting from such a move is not worth the price of having
     the Bengals play in Cleveland.  If our city accepted
     Cincinnati's team, the problems that would be created
     between our communities would far outweigh the benefits of
     the deal (Geoff Hobson, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/7).