FRANCHISE NOTES

          In K.C., prospective owners "are supposed to submit
     their initial bids today for the Royals" (K.C. STAR,
     4/28)....The Red Sox, "joining an industry trend," have
     placed signage on the padding behind home plate, a house ad
     promoting a number to call for tickets (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/28).
     ...In K.C., Jeffrey Flanagan writes that a source said IHL
     Blades Owner Dan DeVos and the Blades "could be looking to
     boost their image in the city by asking" George Brett to
     become a partial owner of the team (K.C. STAR, 4/28)....In
     Philadelphia, columnist Bill Lyon calls on the 76ers to re-
     sign President Pat Croce: "Under Croce's stewardship, the
     Sixers have recaptured fan interest.  It would be foolhardy
     not to retain him" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/28).