Team’s Move to Oxnard Dealt Setback

Despite a rejection by Oxnard College trustees that appears all but certain to doom their plans, Palm Springs Suns owner Don DiCarlo and the city of Oxnard said Tuesday that they have not given up on a bid to move the minor league baseball team to the city for the 1997 season.

DiCarlo said he and city officials will lobby Western League representatives for a two-week extension to finalize an agreement for the Suns to play in Oxnard next year. City and college officials had been trying to reach an agreement before today’s league deadline.

On Monday night, Ventura County Community College trustees rejected a deal to have the Suns play on the college field, saying they did not have enough time to review the proposal. The city had given its approval earlier in the day.

Undeterred by the setback, the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the Western League to extend its deadline to Dec. 10 so it can find a new location or continue discussions with the board.