ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN SPORTS
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
A bomb threat delayed the opening of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium before the Braves' final regular-season home game Monday night.
Jim Schultz, a team spokesman, said someone called the Braves' switchboard about 5 p.m., saying a bomb had been placed in the stadium.
Atlanta police, stadium security officers and a representative of the FBI searched the 52,000-seat facility and determined that the call was a hoax. The gates, which normally open two hours before a 7:40 p.m. game, finally opened at 6:35 p.m.
Pregame ceremonies marking the final regular-season game at the stadium went on as planned, and the first pitch by Greg Maddux was on time. There were long lines outside the stadium, however, and thousands of fans in the sellout crowd were late getting inside.
The bomb threat touched a nerve in Atlanta, where a pipe bombing in Centennial Park killed a woman and injured more than 100 people during the Olympics.
In other news:
*Marty Brennaman, the voice of the Cincinnati Reds for the past 23 years, is miffed that the club has not approved a contract for next season.
Brennaman, former voice of Virginia Tech and the Virginia Squires, went on WLW-AM, the team's flagship station, Monday morning and said he would leave if he doesn't have a new contract by the end of the week.
He later backed off the threat, but reiterated his frustration over the delay.
*Los Angeles Lakers coach Del Harris, who originally signed a three-year contract before the 1994-95 season, has signed a two-year extension through 1989-99, the team said.
*Prosecutors in Chesapeake decided against asking a grand jury to reinstate a malicious wounding charge against Golden State Warriors star Joe Smith. A judge dismissed the felony charge in a preliminary hearing Sept. 16.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB