DO NEW MLB TV SPOTS HIT 'EM OUT OF THE PARKES? SOME SAY SO

          MLB's new TV ads, which feature the voices of Red Sox
     SS Nomar Garciaparra, Padres RF Tony Gwynn and other
     players, are examined by USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY's Dottie
     Enrico, who writes that the campaign is "fan friendly" and
     "humorous."  Jacqueline Parkes of Vigilante, the campaign's
     creative: "After last year's season, we really wanted to do
     something to show fans that we appreciated their support and
     their interest in the game.  By not putting players in the
     ads we thought the emphasis would remain where it belongs  
     -- with the fans."  Enrico reports that MLB "consulted with
     a group of" team marketing execs in planning the $25M
     effort.  In a sidebar, Enrico reviews the campaign and gives
     it a four out of five rating: "A great idea that's well
     executed.  The spots fulfill every baseball lover's fantasy
     --  being singled out by a sports superstar.  But the
     decision to customize the national campaign for use in local
     markets was a stroke of brilliance" (BASEBALL WEEKLY, 4/21).