Palmdale, Minor League to Negotiate

As expected, officials from the City of Palmdale on Friday signed a letter of intent with the Golden State League of Professional Baseball, opening the door for detailed negotiations that could ultimately land the region a minor-league baseball team.

According to the agreement, the city will provide 25 acres of land and utilities in exchange for a $5-million stadium, to be constructed at league expense. The independent league, which has no major league affiliation, hopes to begin play in six California cities by next summer.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said the city will now begin drawing up contractual documents outlining specifics of the land-exchange deal.

League President Bob Weinstein, a 51-year-old Chatsworth investment banker, has 90 days to demonstrate the league has $50 million its coffers. Most of the league bankroll is earmarked for new stadiums, to be constructed in each of its host cities.