Elster Tells Western League the Vigilantes Are For Sale
The Mission Viejo Vigilantes are for sale, team president Pat Elster told Western League officials at meetings Friday in Portland.
Elster has identified one potential buyer, according to league executive director Tom Kowitz, and the league hopes Elster can complete the sale of the baseball team “within a few weeks.”
If the sale proceeds, the franchise would sit out the 1999 season and play elsewhere in 2000. Kowitz declined to reveal the potential future home of the franchise, although one of the team’s limited partners has suggested Yuma, Ariz., as a possible destination.
The Vigilantes owe the league between $12,000 and $15,000, according to league president Bruce Engel, and the city of Mission Viejo has sued for $135,000 in back rent. Proceeds from a sale could satisfy those debts.
Although the league revoked the franchise of the Oxnard-based Pacific Suns this year, Kowitz said the league has not considered that option with regard to the Vigilantes.
“The league is trying to help facilitate [a sale],” Kowitz said.
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