This claim will be judged YES and pay $1.00 if a Major League Baseball Franchise move to a new city is approved by the owners in time for opening day, 2000. To count for this claim, the new city must be in a different metro area where it would be very difficult for current fans to attend -- the San Francisco Giants moving to San Jose (for example) is specifically not a franchise move for the purpose of this claim. The claim is to be judged when the move is approved, which would be some time before the team actually plays its first game in the new city. If the claim has not been judged yes by that time, for any reason, than it will be judged no on Opening Day, 2000 or 4/01/2000 whichever comes first. An expansion team added to MLB is elegible for this claim after it has played in its original city for at least one season. Background: Althought there have been a number of threats, no baseball franchise has moved since 1972. Bud Selig, the acting commissioner of baseball is on record as saying that he would not support any franchise move. Despite that, rumours are circulating about a number of teams, including the Houston Astros (who just announced they would remain in Houston for 1996), the Seattle Mariners, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Montreal Expos. In addition, Major League Baseball enjoys a legal exemption from antitrust laws, which has prevented owners from going to court to move teams. However, this exemption is under Congressional review. It is generally felt that the exemption is not valid, and that it could be defeated in court if some owner was willing to go that far.
I will judge based on the intent of this claim, if I perceive such intent to be obvious. If such intent is ambiguous I will judge on the basis of the precise wording. If both are ambiguous, I will look for a solution which follows IF/FX precedent insofar as such precedent is apparent to me and applicable to the claim. I will seek the guidance of the claim's owner/author in interpreting the claim. It's his or her question - s/he ought to get the answer sought. If I believe this claim to have met a YES or NO condition, and if I believe judgement will be controversial, I will post a prospective judgement to fx-discuss and forestall entering the judgement for a comment period to be announced in the post.