Joplin City Council approves first step toward bringing minor league baseball to Joplin

The Joplin City Council a few moments ago approved 7-1 the first step in the process of bringing mionr league baseball to Joplin.

Councilman Morris Glaze cast the lone dissenting vote. Councilman William Scearce was absent.

City Attorney Brian Head told the council the memorandum of understanding would be followed by a performance agreement and a lease for Joe Becker Stadium.

The El Paso Diablos were left without a home when a major league organization brought a Triple A minor league team to El Paso.

Councilman Mike Woolston asked for a one-month delay for a public hearing, but was told that the process needed to start as soon as possible. Woolston asked if it would be possible to go ahead with the agreement and still seek public input.

City Manager Mark Rohr noted that the Diablos owners had met with several groups a couple of weeks ago when the proposal was first brought before the City Council. Rohr said there would "Be plenty more opportunity for public input as we go along with the process."