Detroit Voters Ok New Stadium Plans

Spring training

Detroit voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved using $40 million of public money to build a new Tiger Stadium. But whether construction can begin hinges on a lawsuit over the use of state funds.

With 58 percent of the city’s precincts reporting, 80 percent opposed Proposal A, which asked residents to reverse a city ordinance allowing the use of city money for ballpark construction.

At the same time, 78 percent supported the non-binding Proposal B, which asked whether tax money should be used to support construction.

Tiger Stadium and Boston’s Fenway Park - both having opened in 1912 - are the oldest ballparks in the major leagues.

Disney deadline passes

The deadline for the Walt Disney Co. to purchase the California Angels has passed with no last-minute negotiation, leaving the door open for other potential buyers.

“The deal is dead,” Disney Sports Enterprises president Tony Tavares said through a spokesman, reiterating comments he made at a news conference last week. “It’s over. We weren’t bluffing.”

Owners offer new revenue-sharing plan

At Phoenix, baseball owners are confident they finally can adopt new revenue sharing rules at their meetings this week, giving extra cash to small-market clubs.

Owners expect to pass their 22 percent plan on Thursday, the final day of the two-day session. Teams would give 22 percent of their local money, including from tickets and broadcasting, to a revenue-sharing fund.

Padres sweep Mariners

At Peoria, Ariz., Wally Joyner hit a solo home run and a two-run double to lift the San Diego Padres to a 4-2 exhibition victory over the Mariners and complete a sweep of a day-night doubleheader.

The Padres, who had defeated the Mariners only once in three years since the teams began sharing the Peoria Sports Complex, beat Seattle 8-6 in the afternoon game.

In the nightcap, Joey Cora (3 for 4) scored twice for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight.

In the first game, Seattle rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but pinch hitter Jose Cruz lined into a game-ending double play.

Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr. lasted just three innings. He was ejected by plate umpire Mike Winters after arguing a called third strike. Bob Wolcott, scheduled to start Seattle’s third regular-season game, was the loser, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in four innings.

Clearing the bases

New York Mets pitcher Bill Pulsipher, forced to leave an exhibition game because of pain in his left elbow, has a strained tendon that will sideline him until the first weekend of the season. An MRI exam performed in New York revealed the injury, which team physician Dr. David Altchek said was unrelated to ligament damage that prevented Pulsipher from pitching past last Sept. 11.

An MRI on the neck of St. Louis pitcher Alan Benes showed only an inflammation, and he’s day-to-day. St. Louis also announced that infielder Geronimo Pena has been given permission to talk to other teams. … California right-hander Steve Ontiveros, considered a member of the starting rotation when camp opened, threw his first inning of the spring after aggravating a sore right elbow before the games started. Ontiveros pitched a 1-2-3 seventh in a 7-4 victory over Milwaukee.