WASHINGTON -- The battle over baseball in the District is getting some high-level attention, News4's Tom Sherwood reported.Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is an investor in one group trying to buy the Washington Nationals franchise, is urging the D.C. Council to approve a 30-year stadium lease for the team.The Washington Baseball Club investor group is led by lobbyist Fred Malek. The group includes Powell, who has been a quiet investor -- until now. On ABC's "This Week," Powell urged the D.C. Council to approve the lease so the city can begin stadium construction and the league can pick a new team owner. Powell hopes that new ownership group is the one he's associated with.
"I hope the city council will find a way to support the stadium deal," Powell said. "That will work itself out one way or the other. ... And I think we can do, perhaps, a better job than any other group to represent the interests of the community and to make sure that the Washington Nationals reach out to the community, bring baseball back into the inner city, get more young African-American kids and other minority kids interested in baseball."D.C. Council Finance and Revenue Chairman Jack Evans said he has met with Powell and welcomes his high-profile involvement.The 13-member council is closely split on baseball. A vote was postponed last week when it looked like it would fail. Evans said lobbying is still going strong for a possible vote next week.There are a total of eight investment groups trying to buy the Nationals for about $450 million.Major League Baseball officials have said they won't name a new team owner until the city signs the 30-year stadium lease agreement to assure the team will have a place to play.
