Newz Forum: BASEBALL: D.C. Mayor Signs Baseball Bill

A few young fans decked out in red, white and blue baseball shirts applauded as D.C. Mayor Tony Williams signed legislation that will bring baseball back to the nation's capital.

The twists and turns before the D.C. Council finally passed the stadium financing bill had baseball fans on the edge of their seats. At one point it even looked like Major League Baseball might reconsider moving the Expos to Washington.

But last week the Council approved a revamped plan that MLB approves of. It includes baseball and the city splitting the cost of insurance to cover cost overruns on the new ballpark.

The Washington Nationals will begin playing at RFK Stadium in the spring. The new Southeast waterfront stadium is due to open in 2008. The Nationals say they've taken reservations for 15-thousand season tickets, so far.

Associated Press

so, how much is the public footing for this bill?