Baseball in DC: An Update: An arbitration panel has ruled against 14 former limited partners of the Expos baseball team, paving the way for the team to move to Washington, DC.



But what about the stadium? The move is contingent upon the District approving a stadium financing plan by December 31. After initial good news, the DC Council has since balked at the rising cost estimates, and public opposition to public funding. The Council has also refused to endorse a private financing plan, because it would require the District to re-open negotiations with Major League Baseball.



Do ballparks reinvigorate the area, leading to the economic boom often used to justify the use of public funds? The results are at best unclear. In New York, this columnist takes issue with "greedy billionaires" asking for hand-outs when schoolchildren have no gyms. But, as the new Clinton library in Little Rock shows, publicly-built structures can breathe life and pride into a community.



Where does this leave DC? In a fight that may take several months to resolve. Where does this leave the Expos? In limbo, but sadly, this is nothing new for the red-headed step child of baseball franchises.

Posted in: