The site plan requires no further approval. The site is a fewmiles from the Traverse City border. The Blair Township proposalwas Wuerfel's second attempt to bring a ballpark to the area. Lastyear, it proposed building one in neighboring Leelanau County'sElmwood Township, but those plans were withdrawn after months ofcontroversy over zoning.

"We believe there are reasons things happen," Leslye Wuerfelsays. "Now we have a spot already zoned commercial and in an areathat's welcoming growth." The Blair Township site has highervisibility, better roads and the state is putting in a trafficlight near the site next summer, she adds.

The Wuerfel group plans to break ground by November and fieldthe Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League inMay 2006, Wuerfel says. The Wuerfel family has tentative approvalfrom the league pending construction of the stadium. The familyhasn't decided if it will start a new franchise and pay the$825,000 franchise fee or purchase an existing team, she adds.