- Chris De Benedetti of The Argus covers the possibility of a ballot measure for Cisco Field and the ballpark village.
- The Merc's Barry Witt writes about Rule 52, also known as the "15 mile rule." Rule 52 prevents a major league team from relocating to within 15 miles of another team without compensation or approval by the affected team.
- Merc writers Mary Anne Ostrom and April Lynch chronicle Lew Wolff's legacy of local development and forays into sports business.
Rule 52 is not expected to be a major issue, at least with regard to the San Jose Giants. Even if compensation is required, it probably won't be an enormous amount. Perhaps the two sides could do the right thing and put the money towards refurbishing dilapidated San Jose Municipal Stadium. Then again, SJ Giants ownership could take the money and sell/move the team to an area that wants a team and has far less competition: Petaluma or Napa. In the past, I wasn't clear on whether Rule 52 was still applicable, since the Nationals technically set up shop within 15 miles of Orioles' territory by playing in RFK Stadium. We won't know until snippets from the next ML Constitution are released (leaked).
2 comments:
I think the days of San Jose (a city of 1 million residents) hosting Single-A ball are over. I could see the SJ Giants using whatever money they get from the A's towards relocating (as you suggested R.M.). Pretty soon, San Jose will finally have Major League Baseball right in its own backyard. As for Rule 52 being an issue at all, let us not forget; Lew Wolff and Cisco made their announcement last week with BUD SELIG right by their side...end of story on Rule 52. Hey! isn't AT&T Park within 15 miles of the Alameda Co. line?! ;o)
As long as some sort of minor-league ball stays in the Bay Area--in San Jose or wherever. I think there's room for it. Look at the Chicago market--2 major league teams and 5-6 suburban minor league teams in various leagues seem to co-exist.
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