League isn’t ready to vote on Swing sale

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By Steve Batterson | Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:32 AM CDT | () comments

A “productive’’ meeting won’t necessarily lead to quick action involving the proposed sale of the Swing of the Quad-Cities.

Midwest League president George Spelius said the league’s transfer and expansion committee had many questions answered during its meeting earlier this week with Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt, who head the company that is attempting to purchase the Quad-Cities’ Midwest League franchise.

However, Spelius said a vote of the league’s board of directors might not take place until its regularly scheduled business meeting is held in conjunction with the Midwest League All-Star Game on June 18-19 at Kane County.

“It could go to that point before the board is asked to vote,’’ Spelius said. “We had a fine session, a productive session, and we went into a great deal of depth.’’

The groups met Tuesday in suburban Chicago, and Spelius said the committee adjourned without making a final decision.

“I think we’re at a point where the committee members want some time to sit and digest what they heard,’’ he said. “They want to make sure they don’t have any more questions, but I would like to think that we’re past that stage.’’

Once the five-member committee makes its recommendation, the league’s 14 directors will vote on the sale of the Swing by Seventh Inning Stretch, the group headed by Kevin Krause, to Mainstreet Iowa LLC, the company headed by Heller and Herrfeldt. Seventh Inning Stretch has operated the franchise since 1998.

Those parties agreed to financial terms in December, and league approval is the first step in baseball’s three-tier approval process.

Heller, who spent much of the past week in the Quad-Cities, said the governing body of Minor League Baseball is positioned to act quickly if Midwest League directors approve the transaction, but he concedes that approval from the major league commissioner’s office could take an additional month.

Spelius appreciates the desire of Heller and Herrfeldt for action to take place quickly but said committee and league approval can not be rushed.

“We have the welfare of the Midwest League to look out for, while they are looking to get into the Midwest League as a new group of owners,” Spelius said.

“They’re fine gentlemen, good baseball people, and I’m certain they understand the diligence the committee members are taking as they have reviewed the (control interest transfer) documents.’’

Heller owns the Columbus Catfish of the South Atlantic League, while Herrfeldt has experience with clubs in the California League and Pacific Coast League.

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at www.qctimes.com.