Time for the commissioner to play ball (Fremont Argus)

Editorial: Time for the commissioner to play ball
MediaNews editorial
Posted: 07/19/2010 12:01:00 AM PDT

http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/ci_15536006

ENOUGH TIME has passed. It's time for Major League Baseball to step up
to the plate and determine whether the Athletics are free to move to San
Jose or not.

A committee was formed by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig more than 16 months
ago to explore the viability of San Jose hosting the A's; whether the
San Francisco Giants could be persuaded to abandon their territorial
rights over Santa Clara County; whether Fremont, somehow, still had
legitimate ideas of building a new stadium; and whether Oakland's ideas
for a new waterfront site are serious.

As unbelievable as it sounds, we are still waiting. Selig cannot
seriously think this is that hard of a decision. Some offers are out
there, some are not. Will it hurt the Giants at the gate, or not? Is the
bad economy a factor? OK, done.

MLB is acting like this is the first time a franchise has wanted to move
into a rival's territory. Maybe it's time to consult the NFL to tell us
how the New York teams can pull this off. Anything to get this process
to the finish line.

And, by the way, why haven't MLB officials met with the A's and Giants?
There's a thought.

This delay is not fair to Oakland, it's not fair to Fremont, it's not
fair to San Jose, it's not fair to the Giants or the A's. It's certainly
not fair to baseball fans in the East Bay and Silicon Valley.

Plans need to be put in place and MLB is literally holding us hostage.

It particularly hurts San Jose. The City Council there set an Aug. 3
deadline for a commitment from MLB. Officials need a decision by then so
they can put a stadium referendum on the November ballot, or fall
seriously behind in the process.

Selig all but discounted San Jose's agenda during his first real
statements on the issue at this year's All-Star game in Anaheim.

Selig said his "objective is not to get it done as fast as possible, but
to get it done right." Fast as possible? Surely, he jests. Sixteen
months is hardly setting any speed record. We shudder to think how long
it's going to take to get it right. Will we live that long?

According to Selig, he and MLB President Bob DuPuy have sent for
additional information; published reports claim inquiries are being made
to Oakland and Fremont. Fine. But, let's say this: If MLB is still
waiting for responses, maybe that says something about Oakland and
Fremont.

At this point, all we're left with is speculation. Maybe MLB is looking
for a way to sweeten the pot for A's owner Lew Wolff to stay in the East
Bay fearing such a move will hurt the Giants at the gate; maybe there's
concerns that San Jose voters, with a big budget hole, may not be
receptive to helping finance a new stadium; maybe Oakland has failed to
produce any meaningful stadium plans. Maybe the best idea is for the A's
is to stay put until things get better economically.

But we don't know for sure until Selig and company finally, as San Jose
Mayor Chuck Reed aptly put it, stop jerking us around and determine the
future of Bay Area baseball. It's time to play ball, commissioner.