Jenks

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quote:Tulsa - Tulsa is celebrating 100 years of baseball this season. But, one of its suburbs made a pass at stealing the city's baseball team. A key spokesman for the Tulsa Drillers cleared the air as rumors circulate. NewsChannel 8's Diane Harrigan sat down with him at Drillers Stadium Tuesday.

This is a team with a lot of Tulsa pride. No one can imagine them across the river. But, other communities have big Drillers dreams.

It was here at the Green Onion restaurant over spinach salad and chicken fried steak that Drillers Executive Vice President Chuck Lamson says he sat down with Jenks' mayor last month.

"They expressed an interest yeah, the mayor doing it," Lamson says. "I don't know if he was speaking for the whole community or just for himself in his role there you know."

Mayor Vic Vreeland throwing out the first pitch.

"He said he didn't know what our thoughts were about a new ball park, but that he thought that Jenks would be interested," adds Lamson. "He talked about some land they had south of the Creek Turnpike."

Jenks certainly has bragging rights these days with the new Riverwalk not far from the new Oklahoma Aquarium, and an upcoming theater. And, maps reveal there's more land to develop. But, a private owner has plans in place.

So, where was Jenks' mayor thinking of putting that possible stadium?

"He said we don't have any plans for a stadium and we don't have money set aside for you," Lamson says. "So, it was more just an expressed interest. I thanked him for that."

So, according to Lamson, Jenks' mayor didn't really have a game strategy. And, right now, there are no commitments from the Drillers -- who have a five-year lease at Expo Square -- to go anywhere anytime soon.

"We're obviously not looking or anything like that, but like any business when opportunity comes along, you at least want to hear people out."

We spoke with Jenks Mayor Vic Vreeland. He admits he had lunch with Lamson as well as a local media personality. But, he claims it was just lunch with friends. The Drillers used to be the Oilers and this is the 100th year for baseball in Tulsa

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This is a great story from KTUL. I posted to see what others thoughts were on this.

IMO I dont understand why Jenks would want to take the team from Tulsa. Why not get a new sport in Jenks? Why not a soccer team.