Angels’ Glaus Will Start in Double-A Ball

Troy Glaus, the Angels’ top draft pick a year ago and a training camp phenom, will open the season at Double-A Midland.

“There’s no reason we can’t move him up,” minor league director Jeff Parker said. “We don’t have a set timetable for him.”

Glaus, starting his first professional season, hit .423 in spring training, with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 26 at-bats. With continued progress, the Angels believe Glaus could jump to Triple-A Vancouver this summer and replace Dave Hollins at third base as early as next season.

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Anaheim taxpayers contributed $30 million toward the renovation of Edison Field, but they are virtually the only Orange County residents unable to take advantage of an Edison ticket discount program.

As part of its sponsorship of the Angels, the utility company extends a $2 discount to its customers for all Thursday home games. Simply by presenting an Edison bill, fans can buy up to six upper-level tickets for $6.50 each instead of $8.50.

Edison serves 11 million customers in 4.5 million homes and businesses across Southern California, spokesman Charlie Basham said, and customers need not live in Orange County to take advantage of the offer.

“Somebody from Blythe or Mammoth could come in,” Basham said.

Somebody from Anaheim, the city in which the stadium is located, could not, however. The city operates its own utilities. Edison serves the rest of the county, Basham said, with the exception of several South County communities served by San Diego Gas and Electric.

Bret Colson, Anaheim’s public information manager, said residents save about 20% over Edison rates by receiving utility service directly from the city.

“We’re giving you savings whether or not you buy a ticket,” Colson said. “If you’re an Anaheim municipal electric customer, you will more than make up the $2 you would save.”

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Disney synergy at work, cont’d: The Angels are considering starting a fantasy camp, in which adults pay thousands of dollars for a week of baseball instruction, camaraderie with childhood heroes and the chance to wear a major league uniform on major league diamonds.

The Dodgers, one of several teams that organize an annual fantasy camp, hold theirs at spring training headquarters at Dodgertown. According to Angel Vice President Ken Wachter, the Angels are considering staging a fantasy camp, but not at Edison Field or Tempe, Ariz., where the team trains.

The target site, Wachter said, is Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.--the spring home of the Atlanta Braves. Disney owns every hotel and entertainment complex within walking distance, which would enable the company to sell you baseball, food and lodging in one package.

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Chuck Finley faces Ramon Martinez in the Freeway Series--and Edison Field--opener at 7 tonight. Several thousand tickets remained on sale late Thursday. . . . The series then moves to Dodger Stadium, with Ken Hill opposing Hideo Nomo Saturday and Jack McDowell facing Darren Dreifort Sunday. The Angels conclude the exhibition season Monday at Cal State Fullerton, with Allen Watson and Jason Dickson scheduled to pitch.