May 22, 2003 [LINK]
INTER-national pastime!
Yesterday's Washington Post reports that Major League Baseball officials are pushing the creation of some kind of "World Cup" tournament for baseball among national teams from the U.S., Japan, and Latin American countries. This is seen as an alternative to the Olympic Games, which began holding baseball competition in 1996, with little success. There just aren't that many countries where it is widely played. A baseball "World Cup" would be tremendously exciting, allowing Latin and Asian players to show their national pride. It would also be a great way to fill in the bleak winter months.
Today's Washington Post had an article about a poll conducted in Virginia earlier this year, indicating strong likely attendance at baseball games -- as long as the stadium is built in Virginia. 47 percent of Northern Virginians and 31 percent of all Virginians would be "very likely" to attend at least one game a year. It mentioned a civic organization of "NIMBY" opponents, which has a Web site, No Arlington Stadium. Booo! I used to live in Arlington and I think a baseball stadium there would make it a much more fun place to live. The last paragraph of the story says it all:
The poll also found that a team in the District would be less successful in drawing Virginians to games, officials said. Seventeen percent of people who said they or a family member would attend a game in Virginia said they would not go to any games in the District.
UPDATE: You can read the report in full detail at Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority, which makes it clear that the "NIMBY" whiners account for only a minority of folks in Arlington: "Fifty-five percent of Arlington County residents support construction of a Pentagon City-area baseball stadium..." That's more like it, sports fans!
According to the Washington Times, MLB officials are leaning toward postponing any permanent decision on relocating the Expos until rock-solid financial guarantees are in place. Thus, contrary to earlier pledges to decide one way or the other prior to the All Star Game in July, it is entirely possible that the Expos will be left hanging in limbo for another season. Superstar outfielder Vladimir Guerrero will qualify for free agency by then, and it would be very hard for the lame-duck ownerless franchise to hold onto him. The abomination continues...