SHORT STOPS IN SHORT SKIRTS? MLB PONDERS FEMALE INITIATIVES

          MLB is "studying ideas to grow its female fan base,"
     including talking to the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL)
     "about everything from joint marketing to investing in or
     buying the league," according to USA TODAY's Becky Yerak,
     who notes that a study showed that women make up 46% of
     MLB's fan base, just above the NBA, NHL and NFL.  Possible
     projects outlined in MLB's "Women in Baseball" report
     published in July (see THE DAILY, 7/29) "include support for
     women's and girls diamond sports, ranging from hosting a
     softball exhibition game at MLB's All-Star Game to making a
     'larger commitment to professional softball.'"  But many
     sports business analysts feel that if MLB takes a similar
     route as the NBA to develop a women's league, "it's unlikely
     to do it on the scale of the WNBA."  WPSL Commissioner John
     Carroll: "We've had ongoing discussions with top people in
     baseball.  Our discussions have ranged all over [from player
     appearances to investing in or buying the league].  Or it
     could come to nothing" (USA TODAY, 10/16).