ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996                    TAG: 9605030075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: ARLINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press

AIRPORTS WON'T PLAY BALL WITH STADIUM PROPOSAL

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has voted unanimously to oppose building a Major League Baseball stadium in Arlington, and it says it will fight to defeat any plans for a ballpark.

``Our major responsibility is to ensure the safety of people traveling to and from the airport, whether it is in an automobile or airplane,'' said Robert F. Tardio, chairman of the authority's board. ``That site is not right for a baseball stadium, and we feel very strongly about that.''

The movement to bring baseball to Northern Virginia, energized last year by businessman William L. Collins' failed bid to buy the Houston Astros, has sparked continued debate almost ever since.

Arlington is one of at least four areas said to be interested in the prospective team. Loudoun, Fairfax and Stafford counties also have demonstrated a willingness to welcome Major League Baseball.

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