BERLIN (AP) - "Today, I am a Berliner", shouted Bryan Kirk yesterday afternoon from is stand mounted in center field of Brandenberg Stadium.

After many months of speculation, the Canadian self-made millionaire finally claimed HIS team in Weaver League International, ending rumors he wanted to control the entire game broadcast network of the league, already using his state-of-the-arts satellites to broadcast around the world. Kirk also denied he made an "unusual" business proposition to German legend Boris Becker so that he would not buy the Brewmasters.

"Baseball has always been not only a hobby for me, but a passion. I now intend to spread that passion to the people of Berlin and Germany, and to bring back baseball mania in this stadium."

Kirk, owner of the Vancouver Glaciers for over ten years in the now defunct North American Baseball League, told reporters that he missed baseball too much. "The painful death of the NABL was terrible for me. My Glaciers were a pride not only for my family, but for the Vancouver community and alot of Canadian baseball fans. It took awhile for me to decide to come back to baseball, but now, I’m ready!". After taking control of the Glaciers, in the 4th season of the NABL, Kirk built a great organization, winning one "No Name Cup", and appearing three other times in the final. When the NABL closed down operation after the 16th season, Kirk’s team had the 3rd best overall record.

"But that is all over and we are now starting from scratch. Since the US gouvernment decided to end Major League Baseball’s monopoly of pro baseball for collective insanity, alot of leagues started everywhere. For me and my family, there was always only one choice, and that’s Weaver League International. Today, we are back in baseball and work starts right after this press conference."

Bryan Kirk didn't wait long before going to work. First order of business, putting his own baseball people in place. As he did in Vancouver, Kirk will be the head of player operations and development. He fired manager Jean Luc Picard and named his own ex-manager Bob Gilpin to be the new boss in the dugout. "Bob can do the job in Berlin. Our team is aging, and Bob is the right man to blend in some youth in this dugout. Bob has always been a great counselor for pitchers, and we already have what I consider a solid rotation."

To the Berlin fans, slowly deserting the stands in the last few season, Kirk had only one message, but a clear one: "We are here to stay. Give us five seasons, and we should have a solid contenter, and not only for one year."

After some research, the Weaver Times has found out that Kirk will not be the type to clean house in just a few weeks. Our sources in Vancouver told us he build the Glaciers from grounds up, starting with a strong farm team, making trades to patch obvious holes. "Right now, we dont have a single position player under 30 in this dugout. That is not a sign of great planning. The fact we don’t have a single draft choice in the amateur draft is not a good sign."

The news of Bryan Kirk’s arrival in Berlin hit the Brewmasters locker room like a storm. While most players were happy about the move, some veterans were clearly worried. "What does he mean by blending in some youth?", asked veteran second baseman Craig Biggio, who’s .211 batting average and 19 RBI are nothing to impress the Kirk-Gilpin duo. "I have solid one-way contract" said journey man shortstop Ray Babington. "He’d better start talking to our agents if he thinks he’s walking in this locker room with a broom!"

In his corner of the locker room, all-star Roberto Clemente was, as usual, cautious to his declarations to the press: "Bryan Kirk is a winner, and he has the record to prove it, not just the words. In my opinion, any positive move to help this team, and baseball in Berlin, is a good move. But we have a good team chemistry here, and sometimes that counts more than simple stats."

As always, the Weaver Times will be your number one source for German baseball news. Needless to say, the next few weeks should be interesting.