VIENNA, Va. (AP) — The head of the group trying to bring a major league baseball team to northern Virginia said he will end his efforts if major league baseball doesn't pick a new home this year for the Montreal Expos.
The Expos were bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season. Baseball failed to meet deadlines in 2002 and 2003 on finding a new home for the team, which has struggled to draw fans in Canada. Baseball officials say they hope to decide by mid-July on where to move the Expos for 2005.
"We're holding them to their word," Williams L. Collins III said Tuesday. "Our group has endured 11 years and $11 million worth of uncertainty, but we do believe this effort will ultimately be successful."
Virginia's legislation to fund part of the construction cost for a new ballpark expires this year, and the legislature opted not to extend it. Virginia officials say the law provides the framework for two-thirds public financing of a new ballpark, though the details are not complete.
"It's this year or never," said Keith Frederick,chairman of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority. "Major league baseball has had plenty of chances to look at (northern Virginia), the best market available."
Also seeking the Expos are Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Portland, Ore.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington D.C.
To raise revenue, baseball moved 22 Expos' "home" games to San Juan for the second straight season.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2212856
The Expos were bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season. Baseball failed to meet deadlines in 2002 and 2003 on finding a new home for the team, which has struggled to draw fans in Canada. Baseball officials say they hope to decide by mid-July on where to move the Expos for 2005.
"We're holding them to their word," Williams L. Collins III said Tuesday. "Our group has endured 11 years and $11 million worth of uncertainty, but we do believe this effort will ultimately be successful."
Virginia's legislation to fund part of the construction cost for a new ballpark expires this year, and the legislature opted not to extend it. Virginia officials say the law provides the framework for two-thirds public financing of a new ballpark, though the details are not complete.
"It's this year or never," said Keith Frederick,chairman of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority. "Major league baseball has had plenty of chances to look at (northern Virginia), the best market available."
Also seeking the Expos are Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk, Va.; Portland, Ore.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington D.C.
To raise revenue, baseball moved 22 Expos' "home" games to San Juan for the second straight season.
http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=2212856
