Suns Strike Out With Western League Board for ’97 Season Play

Despite attempts by city officials and Palm Springs Suns owner Don DiCarlo to bring minor league ball to Oxnard in 1997, baseball fans will have to wait another year to watch the team in action.

On Friday, Western League officials decided in a board meeting not to let the Suns play in the 1997 season but announced that three representatives would travel to Oxnard in January to solidify plans for the 1998 season.

“They will meet with city officials to see what their long-term intentions are,” said Bruce Engel, league president. “We want to go in to stay. We don’t want any question marks.”

Though DiCarlo expressed disappointment with the league’s decision, he said he would not give up on 1997.

“We are going to meet with all of the necessary parties and have some developments and proactive discussions about what needs to be done,” DiCarlo said. “We are going to continue to talk to them and plan for the long term for 1998, but also give them considerations for 1997. I don’t know if it’s a matter of being stubborn or determined, but I’m not giving up.”

Since November, DiCarlo and city officials have been pushing to get a lease agreement signed for the team to play at Oxnard College in 1997. But in late November, the Ventura County College District Board of Trustees rejected the lease agreement saying there was not enough time to review the document.

Undeterred, attorneys for all sides ironed out a revised agreement this week that the trustees approved. A day later, the Oxnard City Council also approved the revised agreement.

Some trustees expressed dismay over the league’s decision, saying they thought playing in 1997 was a real possibility.

“I was hoping that they would play in 1997,” said trustee Pete Tafoya. “I was under the impression that there was a distinct possibility that they would play and that is why we rushed through this.”

Nonetheless, Tafoya added that the agreement with the Suns will be held over to 1998 so they can play ball at the college.

There are still several obstacles that the Suns must overcome to play, such as completion of an environmental impact report, parking, security and lighting studies. In addition, DiCarlo must give the city of Oxnard and the league a confirmation that all the team’s debts have been cleared.

The city of Palm Springs says it is owed $28,000 in concession payments. DiCarlo denies owing any money to the city.