Officials from Walt Disney Co. have been seen around the
Angels camp in Tempe, and "subtle signs point to the likelihood"
the company will "still emerge as the new controlling voice of
the Angels," according to USA TODAY. There is still talk of a
"Disney-flavored parade" on opening day and of rumors Disney and
Anaheim officials have been engaged in "informal talks" (USA
TODAY, 3/25)....Season-ticket sales are up 7.1% in the AL and
6.3% in the NL (L.A. TIMES, 3/24)....Attendance is down 18% at AZ
spring games this year. Seattle could supplant the Cubs as the
top Cactus League draw (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 3/23)....The Brewers
and Tigers are both seeking to build support among African-
American fans (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/24). ....The Devil
Rays and Diamondbacks are "among the leaders" in number of
minorities hired, according to Devil Rays Managing General
Partner Vince Naimoli (ST. PETE TIMES, 3/24)....The Royals still
have 5,500 tickets left for their home opener (K.C. STAR,
3/24)....Dan McGrew profiles the Indians and Owner Dick Jacobs in
the current U.S. NEWS. The team's "resurrection is even more
impressive judged against the backdrop of labor disputes" (U.S.
NEWS, 4/1 issue).... New Pirates Owner Kevin McClatchy says he
feels he got a great deal: "Obviously, in any business situation,
whether it be baseball or the corner deli, you want to buy
something at its perceived lowest value. ... I think baseball's
on the verge of solving a lot of its problems" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
3/24)....The Rangers say they must draw 2.4 million fans to break
even this season (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/24)....The Braves report
difficulty selling tickets, and blame this summer's Olympic
Games. However, team President Stan Kasten notes, "It's a small
price to pay for what we've ended up with, the best stadium in
baseball" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/24). The Braves have 10,000 tickets
available for their season opener (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
3/25).....The Mets have sold approximately 1.1 million tickets
for the '96 season. They drew only 1,273,183 in all of '95
(NEWSDAY, 3/24)....The Blue Jays still have 20,000 seats
available for their season opener April 9 against California and
season ticket sales have dropped by "several thousand" (GLOBE &
MAIL, 3/23).
