Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994                   TAG: 9406290129
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FAIRFAX COUNTY GOES TO BAT FOR A TEAM

County Executive William J. Leidinger recently wrote to baseball officials to ask for information on possible expansion teams. Several new clubs are expected to be formed in the next few years.

The Leidinger letter released Monday also asked Major League Baseball for a questionnaire that baseball officials will use to screen potential expansion sites. Major League Baseball has asked expansion candidates to fill out the questionnaire this summer.

``If you're going to stay in the chase, we've got to show that interest,'' said Thomas M. Davis III, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Davis and other county officials have long mused about Fairfax's potential as a baseball site, but the letter represents the clearest indication to date that the county intends to mount a serious bid.

Davis said the letter was written in concert with Loudoun County officials, who support Davis' idea to put a ballpark near Washington Dulles International Airport, close to the border between the two counties.

``It is a draw. It is good for the region,'' said George L. Barton IV, chairman of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors.

A group of private investors called Capital Baseball Inc. is also involved and has committed $150 million to buy a team if a stadium is built, Davis said.

Bart Fisher, the investor who leads Capital Baseball, said Fairfax and Loudoun will have to come up with a plan and specific stadium site by early August to persuade baseball officials to consider them.