MLB: St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman said that he is
"serious about trying to save" the Twins by building a new
ballpark. Coleman said he will "take a close look" at four
sites within the city (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE,
4/29)....Padres President Larry Lucchino, who helped design
Camden Yards, suggested that the Red Sox remember that "it's
the quirky urban character" of Fenway Park that made them
"one of the great baseball franchises of all time." More
Lucchino: "No one loves Fenway more than I, but a new
ballpark is necessary, not optional. The successor to
Fenway Park does not have to be awful, without personality
or generic" (Martin Nolan, BOSTON GLOBE, 4/28).
MORE NOTES: The GA State Soccer Association and local
leaders will announce plans for a soccer-only complex in
Atlanta's suburbs, to feature a 25,000-seat stadium. Former
NASL Commissioner Phil Woosnam's "desire is to attract an
MLS franchise" to the city, which currently has the A-League
Silverbacks, who drew 8,416 to their season-opener (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 4/29)....Plans for the new Broncos stadium
show "saddle-shaped curves" on the sides "flowing into the
open end of the horseshoe ... which will feature the statue
of a white bucking bronco." Denver Metro Stadium District
Dir of Operations Kelly Leid said the design "will create a
sense of 'wow' for people" (DENVER POST, 4/29)....Univ. of
AR Chancellor John White is "concerned" about reports that
supporters "have threatened to pull money" because of where
its football teams will play its games next season. Univ.
of AR AD Frank Broyles said he will "recommend" that the
team play five home games in Fayetteville and two in Little
Rock, down from three last year. But Stephens Inc.
President Warren Stephens wrote Broyles to say he might
"eliminate some or all of our support for the university" if
games are moved from Little Rock. Other "high-profile"
supporters said they "might not contribute to university
causes" if the plan goes through (DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, 4/28).
