Mayor Deke Copenhaver and the Ripken Baseball family are convinced that if they build a riverfront baseball stadium downtown, nothing but good things will come for the city of Augusta. On Tuesday, Mr. Copenhaver and Bill Ripken announced that a Downtown Stadium Exploratory Committee will study the feasibility of a ballpark on the Savannah River between 11th and 13th streets.

$20 million

The stadium's estimated cost, which likely would be paid for through a public-private partnership. Augusta commissioners would have to call for a referendum to issue bonds, and "ultimately, the people will decide," likely through a referendum, Mr. Copenhaver said.

"We're happy to let the people decide, because we think this is a project that will be supported by everyone," Mr. Copenhaver said.

6,000

Number of people the proposed park would seat. Currently, the Class A GreenJackets play in 12-year-old Lake Olmstead Stadium. It is the third-smallest park in the 16-team South Atlantic League, with a capacity of 4,322.

The current stadium could see increased use by area colleges and use from interested charities such as the Salvation Army's Kroc Center and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

4,000

Available parking spaces within a 12-minute walk from the site on Reynolds Street, according to Mr. Copenhaver.

17

Exploratory committee members. The panel will visit Durham and Greensboro, N.C., and Greenville, S.C.

The study could be finished by August.

- Steve Sanders, staff writer