Orioles’ Dugout Roof Collapses

A portion of the wooden roof over the Baltimore Orioles’ dugout collapsed during Wednesday night’s game against the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. No one was seriously hurt.

Two members of the Marlins’ Bleacher Brigade, which entertains fans between innings, were on the roof launching T-shirts to the crowd when it collapsed. A 30-foot chunk of the roof fell onto the dugout steps in the third inning.

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The Detroit Tigers began preparations for the start of construction this week on a $260 million downtown stadium scheduled to open in 2000.

Detroit President John McHale Jr. said groundbreaking could start tody or Friday, with a ceremonial groundbreaking later this month. Work done Wednesday included erecting fences, setting up a trailer to be used as an office and clearing land.

McHale had said the site must be completely fenced-in and excavation well under way by December. The team must have the stadium finished by August 2000 or lose $55 million given by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority is providing $60 million. Tiger owner Mike Ilitch is putting up $145 million and will have to pay for any cost overruns.

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The Kansas City Royals reinstated pitcher Chris Haney from the disabled list. He had been sidelined since June 27 because of soreness in his left forearm. Haney pitched two scoreless innings against Cincinnati on Wednesday.