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

DATE: SUNDAY, December 19, 1993                   TAG: 9312190205
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MINOR LEAGUE EYES CHARLOTTESVILLE

"We have lots of interest in Charlottesville," said John H. Moss, president of the 14-team Class A league based in Kings Mountain, N.C.

"We feel that it would be an excellent market. We think we could bring fine, wholesome, affordable family entertainment there."

Moss said Friday the expansion process is in its preliminary stages. The issue of a stadium to house a Charlottesville team has not been addressed, he said. There are no facilities in the area capable of meeting the league's standards.

"We are looking for between 5,000 and 6,000 seats for a new facility," Moss said.

Planning and economic development officials from Charlottesville and Albemarle County said Friday thwy were unaware of any plans to bring a professional baseball team to the area.

Charlottesville attorney Fred Payne, a baseball enthusiast who is president of the amateur Virginia Baseball League, said the diamond at Charlottesville High School might be able to be upgraded to professional standards.

Payne said the high school field and lights are probably now at the Class A level.

"The parking is there, but the fences would probably have to be extended and seating and concession stands would have to be expanded," Payne said.

Whether or not city officials and taxpayers would be willing to pay for those improvements is uncertain.

"Finding a facility would be the most immediate problem," Payne said. "But not an insurmountable problem, depending on the helpfulness of local governments."

During the summer, Charlottesville and Albemarle County officials expressed doubt taxpayers would support the public funding of a new or upgraded stadium.

The league's other expansion candidates are the Salisbury-Kannapolis-Concord area of western North Carolina; Tallahassee, Fla.; and Loudoun County.

\ WOMEN CHASE BASEBALL DREAM: There were coaches, teachers, students, a prosecutor, an engineer, a sheriff's deputy, a flight instructor and a nurse.

They ranged in age from 16 to 40 and were among 37 women hoping to make the roster of the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-female minor-league team that will compete against men. They started chasing their dream in Orlando, Fla.

The team, to be managed by former major-league pitcher Phil Niekro, is conducting a five-day tryout for 19 "elite" athletes who were invited to Orlando, as well as 18 local prospects who telephoned officials and requested an invitation.

Open tryouts will be held in about 10 cities around the nation in January and February. About 45 women will be invited to report to spring training in Orlando in March, and the team will play at least 30 exhibition games against men's minor-league teams in 1994.