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Baseball Officials Briefed On Plans

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig got his first detailed outline of the Tampa Bay Rays' new stadium plans Thursday.

Rays officials briefed Selig and MLB chief operating officer Bob DuPuy at baseball's quarterly owners' meetings in Naples, which adjourned Thursday morning.

"I think everyone's pleased and wishes them well," MLB spokesman Rich Levin said.

The Rays have kept MLB apprised of their plans for a new ballpark to replace Tropicana Field, but Thursday's session marked the first time details of the proposed $450 million ballpark were discussed with the sport's top officials.

Both sides pledged to keep communication lines open as the Rays delve deeper into the project.

With Thursday's briefing, just about every party involved in the matter has heard the Rays' stadium pitch except the public. The team had no comment on its talks with MLB but is expected to unveil its financing plan and renderings of the new stadium within the next couple of weeks.

This week, a series of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials met individually with Rays officials at Tropicana Field, and Gov. Charlie Crist has been kept in the loop.

MLB's role in the stadium project figures to center mostly on lobbying. DuPuy has taken a lead role in helping other teams get new ballparks built in recent years and is deeply involved in the Florida Marlins' ongoing efforts to secure a new venue.

DuPuy had planned to head to Miami from Naples for further meetings with city and county officials but told The Associated Press he will postpone the trip until next week because some details of the proposal have yet to be ironed out.

Depending on how the Rays' plans move forward, Selig and DuPuy could be pressed into service on their behalf as well.

"We always try to help our clubs," Levin said. "If Tampa Bay needs help from our office, we would gladly provide it."

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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