Virginia Baseball officials said they "are not ready to
discount the Pirates still being available," writes Thom Loverro
in the WASHINGTON TIMES. Virginia Baseball spokesperson Mike
Scanlon said, "If the sale were to fall through for any reason,
we would be right there, looking to purchase this team." Scanlon
added that Virginia Baseball will make a bid for the Mariners if
the vote for a new stadium in Seattle fails: "We remain very
confident that the Virginia Baseball will be able to secure a
major league baseball franchise for play at RFK in April of 1996"
(WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/23). In Baltimore, where O's Owner Peter
Angelos is reportedly very concerned about the possibility of
baseball returning to DC, John Steadman writes, "Putting a
National League team in the nation's capital is for the
betterment of the game. It will enhance area baseball interest,
not hurt it, with one team or the other always playing at home"
(Baltimore SUN, 9/24).
HAVE YOUR CAKE, EAT IT TOO: In Tampa, Devil Rays Owner
Vince Naimoli addressed city officials about attracting an
existing team for '96 or '97. But, officials say it would be
"highly unlikely" a team could share the ThunderDome with the
Lightning for '96 (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 9/23).
