BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Team Is Keeping Options Open

Negotiations between the Angels and City of Anaheim for a new baseball stadium have been put on the back-burner, but Angel President Richard Brown said he continues to receive feelers from other cities interested in attracting the team.

“We’ve told everyone the same thing, that we’re committed to Anaheim, that we have a deal on the table that we’re hoping improves,” Brown said. “But if it doesn’t, we’ll talk.”

Brown said the Angels and Anaheim are still about $4 million a year in debt service apart on a deal for a $215-million, 43,000-seat stadium, which the team hopes to have built next to Anaheim Stadium by 1999.

The Angels have asked the city for concessions in their lease, which would let them retain more stadium revenue in 1995, but the city will only amend the lease if the Angels make a long-term commitment to the new stadium.

Brown, however, said the Angels will not opt for short-term gain at the risk of accepting 30-year lease terms that the team is not completely satisfied with.

“We still have plenty of time to reach an agreement to have a stadium ready for the 1999 season,” Brown said. “But we’re still waiting for the city to give us an improved offer.”

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The Angels have scheduled seven player autograph sessions in May “to thank the fans for their patience and loyalty this past winter,” said Kevin Uhlich, vice president of operations.

Four players, located at Gates 1, 3, 4 and 9 of Anaheim Stadium, will sign for 45 minutes before every Tuesday and Thursday home game. The sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m. for 7:05 games and 11:30 a.m. for 1:05 starts when the team is home.

The first session will feature pitchers Mark Langston and Mike Bielecki and infielders J.T. Snow and Rex Hudler.