Joplin OKs Financing Plan for Baseball Team

The Joplin Globe reports the plan chosen Monday includes the city taking on $1.8 million in debt.

The city is negotiating with WLD Suarez Baseball, the owners of the former El Paso Diablos. The investors want the city to expand and improve Joe Becker Stadium for the team.

City Attorney Brian Head said he expects to have a detailed lease agreement ready for next Tuesday's regular council meeting. He says a performance agreement that will outline the responsibilities of the city and the Suarez group should be ready in February. The council could consider a final proposal at its Feb. 18 meeting.