Talks on Suns Move Expected to Continue

Determined not to give up on its baseball dream, the Oxnard City Council on Tuesday is expected to allow staff members to continue negotiating with college trustees to bring the Palm Springs Suns to Oxnard College next year.

Though the 1997 Western Baseball League schedule has been finalized without the Suns on the roster, there is a slim possibility that they could serve as a replacement team if another ballclub drops out, said league President Bruce Engel.

But Engel said the Suns most likely will have to sit out the 1997 season and wait until 1998 to play anywhere. Finalizing an agreement between the city, the college and the ballclub as soon as possible would help solidify the Suns’ chances of playing the 1998 season in Oxnard, Engel said.

Still, city officials are optimistic that the Suns will play ball next year.

“I still think there is hope for Oxnard College in 1997. I can’t let my hopes down,” Councilman Bedford Pinkard said. “If there is a fall out with any of the teams in the league, then I think the league would be in favor of letting the team play in Oxnard. We just need to have our ducks lined up in case that happens.”

On Tuesday, Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Philip Westin will ask the district board of trustees to consider the baseball issue at a Dec. 17 meeting.

On Nov. 25, trustees voted 2 to 2 to reject the agreement, saying they were not given enough time to consider the matter.