DATE: Friday, June 6, 1997                  TAG: 9706060832

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   27 lines

CLASS-A TEAM WILL MOVE TO S.C., NOT THE PENINSULA MYRTLE BEACH VOTE FOR BALLPARK SHOULD SEAL TEAM'S MOVE FROM DURHAM.

Norfolk Tides president Ken Young has been told by the owners of the Durham Bulls that Myrtle Beach's vote to build a ballpark for the Class A team had all but assured that the Bulls will not be coming to the Peninsula.

Young had been trying for six months to get the municipalities on the Peninsula to fund a $12 million ballpark for the Bulls, who must move and change their name to make room for the Triple-A Durham Bulls that will join the International League next spring.

The city of Myrtle Beach voted to support the ballpark proposal Wednesday, joining forces with surrounding Horry County.

``I would say it's done,'' Young said. ``But one thing I'd like to see is for Williamsburg to still vote yes for it. There is the potential for another club to be looking for a new home next year and I'd like to have a chance to get them.'' Young would not specify which team.

Newport News, Hampton and James City County had already voted to fund a ballpark project to house the Class A team.

``I'm disappointed,'' Young said. ``I think it would have been good. I think it still could be good.''

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