Be on the lookout

The news editor of ''Baseball America'' contacted me last week to see if I'd write a 700-word article about the ongoing process to sell and relocate the Columbus Catfish.

He also wanted the article to contain some background about the icy relationship between Columbus owner David Heller and the city government and the difficulty the team has had in drawing fans.

I told him that would require at least 700 words by itself.

Anyway, I just finished the piece. Assuming it passes muster, it should appear in the next issue.

As for what's going on with the Catfish and the prospects of them moving to Bowling Green, Ky., after the 2008 season, well, a lot must still be decided.

Art Solomon, the owner of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, exercised an option last week to purchase the team but must still receive approval from the South Atlantic League and Minor League Baseball. He told me he should have the paperwork filed with the league office this week.

That part should pass without any difficulty. Solomon seems like a nice guy, plus he's a well-respected owner and savvy businessman. The annual attendance for his Double-A team has blown up since 2004, from 215,961 to 371,710 last season.

That's pretty impressive. Makes you wonder what he could do with the Catfish, who have brought up the rear in attendance in the South Atlantic League.

It's entirely possible we'll find out.

While Solomon didn't make any definitive promises when asked whether there was any scenario in which the Catfish would remain in Columbus after the 2008 season, it's a possibility.

Two credible sources told me the South Atlantic League may not rubber-stamp a relocation request. It seems some owners may not embrace the extra mileage that would be required to travel to Bowling Green. Plus, there are questions of whether Bowling Green (population 60,000) could support minor league baseball any better than Columbus over the long haul.