Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 22, 1993 TAG: 9312220098
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Bill Halstead, the league's president, confirmed Tuesday that the Appalachian's board of directors had requested permission from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues to add two teams in 1995, expanding membership to 12.
If permission to expand is granted, Halstead said, Pulaski could become home to a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate and the Chicago White Sox likely would put a team in Beckley, W.Va.
"Both those [major-league] clubs are anxious to get into the league," Halstead said. "It's a possibility we can get the White Sox in Beckley and the Pirates in Pulaski by '95."
None of the members of the potential Pulaski ownership group or Pirates farm director Chet Montgomery could be reached for comment Tuesday.
Pulaski was home to the Atlanta Braves' Appalachian League affiliate from 1982-92.
Halstead said he expects the national association to give approval to expansion any day. Several factors, however, could undermine Pulaski's efforts to get a team.
There are two main concerns for the Pulaski owners: ironing out details with the Pirates' front office, and getting approximately $100,000 worth of work done to antiquated Calfee Park to bring it up to standards specified by the Professional Baseball Agreement between the major and minor leagues.
The Pulaski owners began working closely with the Pirates almost immediately after the Braves pulled out. Pulaski could know in early January if the Pirates are willing to put a rookie league team there.
Tom Compton and Dave Edmonds, two members of the potential Pulaski ownership group, spoke with Pirates officials last week during the winter meetings in Atlanta.
Pirates officials examined Calfee Park in the fall of 1992, but the Appalachian League voted not to expand then. At the time, town officials indicated a willingness to bring Calfee Park up to par.
Beckley does not have a ballpark, but is planning to build one by 1995.
If either Pulaski or Beckley fails to meet the PBA requirements or cannot solidify a major-league affiliation by the start of the 1994 season, Halstead said Greenville, Tenn., might be an alternative for expansion.
"If the folks [in Pulaski and Beckley] do what's been asked, everything will work out," Halstead said.
The 12-team league would be divided into three four-team divisions. Pulaski would be joined by Danville, Martinsville and Burlington in one division. Beckley, Bluefield, Princeton and Huntington would be in a division of West Virginia teams, and Bristol, Elizabethton, Johnson City and Kingsport would play in a Tennessee-based division.
by CNB