Sports Franchises Orange County

At game time one evening last week, seated in his private corner of the elevated press box at Trabuco Hills High School, William de la Pena gazed down over rolling hills, red tile roofs and stucco-framed houses that dot the ever-expanding Saddleback Valley. De la Pena, owner of the Salsa Professional Soccer Club, contemplates conquering this area by permanently establishing his team in Mission Viejo.

The city's new minor league baseball team will be known as the Mission Viejo Vigilantes, officials announced Thursday. The moniker was chosen by about 30 fans in a "name the team" contest that drew more than 700 entries, team officials said. "It's a relief not to have to answer the phones 'Mission Viejo Professional Baseball Team' anymore," said team President Pat Elster. "It's so nice to be able to say 'Vigilantes.'

The city's new minor league baseball team will be known as the Mission Viejo Vigilantes, officials announced Thursday. The moniker was chosen by about 30 fans in a "name the team" contest that drew more than 700 entries, team officials said. "It's a relief not to have to answer the phones 'Mission Viejo Professional Baseball Team' anymore," said team President Pat Elster. "It's so nice to be able to say 'Vigilantes.'

Residents of Saddleback Valley say that the area's new minor league baseball club should be named after a local band of Indians, any one of several indigenous animals or the NBA's Los Angeles franchise. Those were among dozens of suggestions made this week during a contest to name the team, which begins league play at Saddleback College on May 23. The winner will get a pair of season tickets and bragging rights. All entries must be received by Wednesday.

Less than a month after committing $30 million to help renovate Anaheim Stadium to keep the California Angels in town, the City Council is debating whether to commit $7.5 million in taxpayer money to help lure the Clippers to the Pond of Anaheim, where they would play as the Anaheim Clippers. The issue is being driven by a sense of urgency that if an NBA team does not begin playing at the Pond by next season, the city will be forced to pay $1.5 million a year to Ogden Corp.

Less than a month after committing $30 million to help renovate Anaheim Stadium to keep the California Angels in town, the City Council is debating whether to commit $7.5 million in taxpayer money to help lure the Los Angeles Clippers to the Pond, where they would play as the Anaheim Clippers. The issue is being driven by a sense of urgency that if a National Basketball Assn. team does not begin playing at the Pond by next season, the city will be forced to pay $1.5 million a year to Ogden Corp.

Residents of Saddleback Valley say that the area's new minor league baseball club should be named after a local band of Indians, any one of several indigenous animals or the NBA's Los Angeles franchise. Those were among dozens of suggestions made this week during a contest to name the team, which begins league play at Saddleback College on May 23. The winner will get a pair of season tickets and bragging rights. All entries must be received by Wednesday.

The Walt Disney Co. took another major step into professional sports Thursday, announcing that it has agreed to buy a 25% interest in the California Angels baseball team, with an option to buy the rest later. The deal will eventually give Disney controlling interest in the two major sports franchises in Orange County. Gene and Jackie Autry have said that majority interest in the team will not be sold until after the death of Gene Autry, 87.

One of the most thrilling memories of my youth was sitting on my father's lap in the Los Angeles Coliseum watching Ram Jon Arnett run a kickoff back 101 yards for a touchdown. Forty years later, one of the special moments of my adult life was sitting with my very excited 3-year-old son, Matthew, in Anaheim Stadium watching Jerome Bettis run for a long touchdown.

Less than a month after committing $30 million to help renovate Anaheim Stadium to keep the California Angels in town, the City Council is debating whether to commit $7.5 million in taxpayer money to help lure the Clippers to the Pond of Anaheim, where they would play as the Anaheim Clippers. The issue is being driven by a sense of urgency that if an NBA team does not begin playing at the Pond by next season, the city will be forced to pay $1.5 million a year to Ogden Corp.

Less than a month after committing $30 million to help renovate Anaheim Stadium to keep the California Angels in town, the City Council is debating whether to commit $7.5 million in taxpayer money to help lure the Los Angeles Clippers to the Pond, where they would play as the Anaheim Clippers. The issue is being driven by a sense of urgency that if a National Basketball Assn. team does not begin playing at the Pond by next season, the city will be forced to pay $1.5 million a year to Ogden Corp.

At game time one evening last week, seated in his private corner of the elevated press box at Trabuco Hills High School, William de la Pena gazed down over rolling hills, red tile roofs and stucco-framed houses that dot the ever-expanding Saddleback Valley. De la Pena, owner of the Salsa Professional Soccer Club, contemplates conquering this area by permanently establishing his team in Mission Viejo.