MLB'S EXPANSION CITIES II: BEYOND THUNDERDOME

          About 3,000 Opening Day tickets for the Devil Rays went
     on sale on Saturday "and sold out in about 90 minutes" (ST.
     PETERSBURG TIMES, 3/29).  In St. Pete, Mark Albright examined
     the economic impact of the Devil Rays and if "taxpayers
     expect to get a return on their" $209M stadium investment.
     Albright: "It could take years.  Economists who have studied
     the impact of major league sports say the city's chance for a
     return on its investment hinges on spinoff development --
     ranging from attracting more tourists to the intangible
     benefits that come with playing in the big leagues.  In other
     cities, baseball has produced mixed results" (ST. PETERSBURG
     TIMES, 3/29).  In Boston, Peter Gammons reported that the
     Devil Rays' "select" seats behind the home plate at Tropicana
     Field will cost $200 per game.  Gammons reported that "with
     it, you get video screens with every imaginable stat, pitch
     tracks, local TV, and instant replays, and soon you will able
     to punch in food service" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/29).