MARINERS CRACK SAFECO AND FIND MORE SEATS

          Mariners officials said Safeco Field will "seat 47,000
     -- about 1,400 more than had been expected," according to
     David Schaefer of the SEATTLE TIMES.  The increase "evolved
     as construction progressed and a seating vendor was chosen." 
     Mariners VP/Communications Randy Adamack said that "most" of
     the new seats will be in the outfield bleachers.  In
     offering a sales update for the new park, Mariners
     VP/Business & Sales Bob Aylward said that "most of the
     premium seats" have been sold.  Aylward estimated that 47 or
     48 of the 63 luxury suites, 260 of the 352 "Diamond Club"
     seats and about 3,900 of the 4,200 club seats are sold. 
     Schaefer reported that "the slowest seller" is the "charter
     seats," those in the first few rows of Safeco Field
     "requiring" a $12,000 to $25,000 deposit.  Aylward said that
     50-55% of the 966 have been sold.  The M's expect to play 42
     games in the new stadium in '99 (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/26).