Renewed efforts by Washington, DC, government officials
and business leaders are under way to bring MLB back to the
city, according to Thom Loverro of the WASHINGTON TIMES.
The effort will include a soon-to-be-released DC Sports
Commission study that supports a movement to build a new
downtown ballpark. The $86,000 report also includes a
feasibility study of renovating RFK Stadium for baseball as
well as building a new stadium next to RFK. Although it
does not make a "firm recommendation," several DC government
sources "said the study's conclusions favor building a new
downtown ballpark." Loverro reports that the prospects for
a new baseball stadium "seem remote -- not only because of
the financing questions," but also the "strong opposition"
from Orioles Owner Peter Angelos (WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/25).
LES EXPOS FACTOR: In Montreal, Jack Todd asked, "Will
the Expos be back in Montreal? Will they get their new ball
park -- or play next season in northern Virginia? No matter
what happens, that will be the story of the Expos' 30th
season. By June 30, president Claude Brochu will make the
call" (Montreal GAZETTE, 3/24). Todd speaks with a
"confident-sounding" Brochu about a new ballpark. Brochu:
"Compared with where we were last June, when we announced
this project, we've seen a massive shift of opinion in
Montreal. People are more supportive, more understanding,
more willing to get involved" (Montreal GAZETTE, 3/25).
