WORD IN PHILLY HAS COMMITTEE EYEING DOWNTOWN BALLPARK SITE

          The idea of a Phillies ballpark at a Center City
     location "is one dream that some Philadelphians aren't ready
     to let go of," as Philadelphia Mayor John Street's 18-member
     transition committee on the stadium issue "has decided to
     recommend construction" of a downtown ballpark, according to
     Davies & Lessy of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS.  The
     committee's recommendation "does not name a specific site."
     While Davies & Lessy note that the Phillies have "given up
     on the idea" of a Center City ballpark and have instead
     joined the Eagles "in hoping to wrap up the deals this year
     so they can play in new stadiums in the 2003 season,"
     Phillies President David Montgomery "wasn't quite saying
     'never' yesterday."  Montgomery: "We clearly investigated
     one site very heavily at 16th and Callowhill last year, and
     found the path to that site had some constraints."  The
     committee will also recommend a new football stadium in
     South Philadelphia (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/24).