FRESNO, SAN JUAN AND BOWIE, MD, TO JOIN AAA LINEUP?

     Fresno, CA, San Juan, PR, and Bowie, MD, will most likely
receive Class AAA teams when the minors expand along with MLB in
'98.  The WASHINGTON POST's Robert Fachet reports Bowie and San
Juan will likely receive franchises, while Fresno is the best
candidate for the relocation of the displaced Phoenix Firebirds.
Officials in Bowie are hopeful for an affiliation with the
Orioles (WASHINGTON POST, 4/7).  In Miami, Gregg Doyel reports
Marlins officials will consider affiliating with San Juan (MIAMI
HERALD, 4/9).  Eighteen groups from 16 cities have filed
questionnaires to join the Double-A ranks:  Austin, TX, Corpus
Christi, TX, Springfield, MO, Baton Rouge, LA, Erie PA,
Springfield, MA, Somerset County, NJ, Long Island, NY, Lehigh
Valley, PA, Atlantic City, NJ, Jackson, TN, Lexington, KY,
Montgomery, AL, Winston-Salem, NC, Greensboro, NC, and Durham, NC
(SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 4/9).  Frederick, MD, is also a
Double-A possibility (WASHINGTON POST, 4/7).