Uncertainty Clouds Future of the Giants : Business Side on Hold With Attendance Down 146,478 for 64 Dates

The front office of the San Francisco Giants has placed a hold on many of the operations of the business side of the franchise, Corey Busch, executive vice president of administration, said on Thursday.

“Quite frankly, we’re not making any commitments for any major expenditure of money right now on the business side of the operation,” said Busch. “And there won’t be until the situation with the franchise resolves itself.

“Right now, the attitude is that anything you can’t take with you is in never-never land right now. We could hit the ground running and be ready to go immediately, however, if things get straightened out.”

Busch said the front office usually might be preparing a mailer to season-ticket holders and potential season-ticket holders.

Giants owner Bob Lurie offered little to solve the uncertainty.

“We’ll make an assessment of our situation at the end of the year,” said Lurie. “We’ve had a lousy year, the team has played badly and it’s frustrating. I have nothing more to report at this time.”

The Giants have been among major-league baseball’s five unsettled franchises all season. Their plight was underlined last week when only 1,632 fans showed up for a game in Candlestick Park.

Lurie said before the season started that they would not play another season in Candlestick unless there’s solid evidence of a new stadium in the near future.

Peter Stocker, a real estate developer, is trying to finalize plans for land in San Francisco near the west side of the Oakland Bay Bridge and to raise private monies to build a stadium.

“We’re working with Mr. Stocker and if he gets his land and the stadium, he’ll be involved with the ownership of the Giants,” said Lurie.

The Giants are locked in a battle for survival in the Bay Area with the Oakland Athletics of the American League. Some observers say one or the other is sure to move from major-league baseball’s weakest two-team market.

While the Giants have struggled on the field and at the gate, the Athletics have climbed ahead of last year’s attendance figures after five months of the season.

The Athletics are 36,489 fans ahead of last year through 64 dates in the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The Giants are 146,478 fans shy of last year’s attendance through 64 dates in Candlestick Park.

Busch estimates the Giants will finish about 1 million fans short of revenue needed for the franchise to break even. Lurie had the team up for sale last winter, but took the team off the market for one more attempt in Candlestick Park.

“We’re keeping all of our options open except giving it one more try,” said Busch.

“In a normal situation, a franchise usually is getting ready for all sorts of things for next year,” aid Busch. “People here are wondering what’s going to happen. They want to know what’s going to happen in their own lives.”

Pat Gallagher, vice president of business operations, said the uncertainty about major-league baseball in the Bay Area in general and the team’s problems in Candlestick Park have added to the anxiety in the office.

“I think everyone is looking forward to some decision.