MLB's Ownership Committee granted Marlins President Don
Smiley "initial approval" to purchase the team, according to
Craig Barnes of the Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL. Final
approval is contingent on MLB's full examination and
ownership endorsement. Smiley: "It's more than a vote of
confidence. It's a strong endorsement." Barnes: "There are
indications that Smiley might seek resolution at the owners'
meetings in June" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/19).
LEAVE IT TO BEAVER: In MN, La Velle Neal writes that
prospective Twins Owner Don Beaver "acknowledged Wednesday
that if stadium funding isn't secured" in NC, it could
"kill" his deal to buy the team. Beaver: "You can't approve
a relocation without a place to play." Neal adds that the
comments "acknowledged" what other MLB officials have been
"saying for months: The decision to move the Twins can't be
made until a May 5 referendum in two North Carolina counties
in the Triad area." Beaver also dismissed a previously
announced March 31 deadline to sign a deal with Twins Owner
Carl Pohlad: "I don't know if March 31 is of any
significance. ... We are not worried about deadlines or
anything like that" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/19).
NOTES: Frank Robinson will address owners today about
speeding up the game. One idea is to have umpires keep
hitters in the batters box and make pitchers deliver the
ball within 12 seconds when there are no runners on
base....Red Sox CEO John Harrington said a schedule has been
completed for the '99 season that includes "much the same
schedule for interleague play." It must be approved by the
MLBPA (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/13). MLBPA Exec Dir
Donald Fehr said he expects interleague play to continue in
'99, with some "refinement" to avoid the "abundance of two-
game series teams were forced to play" in '97 and this
season. Fehr: "The basic belief is it is a good thing. But
there are complications" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/19).
