Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1990                   TAG: 9003071749
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUNCIL OPPOSES PARK BEER SALES

Their sentiments were echoed by the council members, who unanimously passed a resolution saying they would oppose the sale of beer at the park, which the Braves lease from the town.

"I'm just real concerned about the liability the town would have in a case like this," said Councilman J.R. Schrader. "I know what happens when these suits are filed."

Schrader said that after two years of hearing the town worry about liability over sidewalks, bicycles and skateboarding, he's not about to vote in favor of allowing the park to serve beer.

The ABC board will hold a public hearing this morning to determine whether the park should receive a license to serve beer.

"The people who live around Calfee Park are opposed to an ABC license," said Lewis Davidson, who lives across the street from the ballpark. "We don't drink beer - we go up there to see the ball games."

Polly Mitchell, a former council member, also said allowing beer in the ballpark would not be in the town's best interests.

"In cities, I know they sell beer," she said. "But in a little town like this, where you have kids running up and down the sidewalks," it would be wrong, she said.

Mitchell said baseball was a game the county's senior citizens could go to and enjoy. "I say beer would kill it for them."

Kyle Scharhag, general manager of the Braves, said he just wants to have beer available for those who want it.

"I've been involved in baseball for a long time," he said before the meeting. "To tell the truth, I've never been to a minor league or major league ballpark that didn't serve beer until I came here."

Scharhag said that seven of the nine professional ball clubs in the state allow the sale of beer. And in ballparks where alcohol is not allowed, a few people sneak it in anyway.

"When they smuggle it in, it's not a can of beer - it's a fifth of vodka or blackberry schnapps or Jack Daniel," Scharhag said. "I believe having beer available will help reduce some of the smuggling in."

Scharhag said the availability of beer also may increase attendance at the ballpark. Last year's attendance was the lowest for any short-season team in the United States, he said. The Braves averaged about 390 fans a game.

Davidson said true baseball fans don't go to games to buy alcohol. Scharhag proposed restrictions, including limiting the number of beers sold to three per person, posting drunken-driving and usage laws, and setting up a non-drinking section if enough people were interested.

"We could also charge a high enough price so that for most people it would be economically unfeasible to get intoxicated," he said. Beer probably would be sold for $1.25 to $1.75 for a 10- to 12-ounce cup.

The six members of council at Tuesday's meeting said they would not support the sale of beer at the ballpark and asked Town Manager Don Holycross to present the town's position at this morning's hearing.

Scharhag said before the meeting that if there were strong objections to the sale of beer and for good reasons, he would not pursue the issue.

"Even if we get a license, it doesn't mean we have to sell beer,' he said.