About Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority

The Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority (VBSA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia , created by the Virginia General Assembly to lead the effort to attract a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise to Virginia and to build and operate a state-of-the-art ballpark to be the team's new home. Since the Authority's creation, the General Assembly has enacted a number of provisions enabling VBSA to carry out its mission, including the ability to issue revenue bonds and to use state sales and income tax revenues generated by the team and ballpark development to pay its share of ballpark construction costs.

The Authority consists of a nine-member board appointed to staggered four-year terms by the Governor of the Commonwealth. Former Governor (now U.S. Senator) George Allen appointed the Authority's first members in 1995.

In November 2003 Governor Mark Warner appointed Keith Frederick to be the Authority's fourth chairman. Mr. Frederick was originally appointed to the Authority in April 2002 and was elected vice-chairman later that year. He succeeded Michael R. Frey, who became vice-chairman of the Authority and chairman of the Design and Construction Committee.

Keith Frederick is the owner of FrederickPolls LLC, an Arlington public opinion research firm. Mr. Frederick and his family are also residents of Arlington County , where he has been involved in a number of youth sports activities with his two children.

In 1997, the Authority hired Gabe Paul, Jr. to be its first Executive Director. Mr. Paul previously served as vice president of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball club since 1970, where he was instrumental in planning for the Brewers' new Miller Park that opened in 2001. Mr. Paul's father, the late Gabe Paul, Sr., was one of the legendary figures of latter Twentieth Century baseball, having served as president of the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees, and Gabe, Jr. literally grew up among some of the game's greatest heroes.

The Authority works closely with Virginia Baseball Club, L.P. (VBC), a group of private investors headed by William L. Collins, III that has worked since 1994 to bring Major League Baseball to Northern Virginia . Since 1996, the Authority has received most of its operating revenue in fees and contingent loans from VBC through a model public-private partnership agreement.

In late 2002, Major League Baseball announced creation of a relocation committee to recommend a permanent new home for the Montreal Expos. Since then, the Authority has met with MLB representatives on several occasions to present its proposals for ballpark sites and financing. Governor Mark Warner, Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, U. S. Senator George Allen and U.S. Representative Tom Davis have all participated in these presentations in person or via videotape or conference call.

Earlier this year, the Authority announced creation of a Development Task Force to identify potential partners interested in co-developing one or more of the Authority's suggested ballpark sites. The Authority has also held a series of news conferences and public meetings to share its findings and recommendations with the public. Major League Baseball is now expected to make a decision on a new home for the Expos by mid-July 2003.

The Authority believes that a Major League Baseball team located in Northern Virginia will be an asset to all Virginians. The Authority encourages Virginians throughout the Commonwealth to support the campaign for baseball in Virginia by registering to receive more information on its website at www.baseballinva.org.