Waves likely to move to Columbus for 2003 season

ALBANY - South Georgia Waves owner David Heller plans to move his team from Albany to Columbus in time for this season, pending approval by the South Atlantic League. <br> <br> Heller said Wednesday night that he had reached an agreement with Columbus but can&#39;t sign it until the 15 other owners of the Class A league vote on Monday. <br> <br> Heller has already announced plans to move the team, a Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to Evansville, Ind., for the 2004 season. Columbus, 80 miles from Albany, will be a one-season stopover, he said. <br> <br> The Waves arrived in Albany from Wilmington, N.C., just last year. Heller said he decided to leave Albany because he could not agree to a lease with the city. <br> <br> Albany city attorney Al Grieshaber said he was trying to negotiate a new lease that was ``fair for both parties.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Heller cited Albany&#39;s treatment of the team, specifically regarding a nearly $30,000 utility bill the Waves paid Monday. <br> <br> Grieshaber said the team was obligated under an unsigned lease from last year to pay the bill. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re out to get a fair deal,&#39;&#39; Grieshaber said. ``Fair for the baseball team and fair for the city of Albany. But it is not fair for the taxpayers to subsidize a profit-making entity.&#39;&#39;

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/3/181592