Ueberroth Delineates Expansion Criteria

Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth listed 29 criteria Monday for cities seeking major league expansion franchises. Among those criteria are privately owned stadiums and a commitment of 10,000 season-ticket holders for the first five years of operation.

Although Ueberroth invited cities interested in getting franchises to send representatives to a meeting in New York on Nov. 7-8, he reiterated that no timetable has been set for expansion. The most his statement promised was that expansion will be addressed “in a deliberate, business-like fashion.”

The criteria were sent to groups from Buffalo, Columbus, Denver, Indianapolis, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, Phoenix, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Vancouver and Washington--the 11 cities or areas that have expressed serious interest in teams.

There are 14 franchises in the American League and 12 in the National. There has been talk of expanding by as many as six teams, although an initial expansion of only two is considered likely.

Ueberroth’s statement said: “The outline is by no means an absolute listing of requirements. Any one concept can be modified or waived as may be appropriate and certainly will have to be read in light of the particular circumstances presented. . . . The objective of this listing is to establish a broad framework for evaluating the issues which arise regarding the present and future location of major league teams.”

Among the criteria listed, in addition to the privately owned stadiums and season ticket-holders were:

--”Preference for ‘individual’ ownership interests as opposed to corporate interests.”

--”Net worth $100 million or more (with) ownership’s full financial resources available to baseball operations.”

--”Regardless of ownership form, one person ultimately responsible for all club decisions (and a) commitment to operate in baseball’s interest rather than for the enhancement of other business activities.”

--”Baseball-only (stadium) with natural grass and adequate lighting.”

--”(Stadium) capacity 35,000 to 45,000.”

--”Parking, minimum of 25% of capacity.”

--”(Stadium) luxury suites, state-of-the-art video board (with) satellite receive-send capability recommended.”

--”(Provide) analysis of proposed (spectator) drawing area and radio and television networks.”

Ueberroth’s statement also indicated that expansion clubs will be expected to indemnify the major leagues for the costs of acquisition of minor league territory, will be called upon to operate appropriate minor league affiliates before the first major league season, and will have to identify their spring training sites.

It has been nine years since major league baseball last expanded.