LONG BEACH (ESPN) - Officials for the Long Beach Lobsters have finalized plans for a new stadium to be completed by the 2008 season. Since their move to Long Beach, the Lobsters have played in two make-shift stadiums while funding and other issues were worked out. The name of the stadium and its exact layout have not been announced, but groundbreaking begins immediately on the stadium. It will be built on the waterfront next to the Queen Mary, and will be part of a huge financial commitment to the Lobsters by the city that includes the stadium, hotels, training facilities, and office buildings. It will be state of the art.

On the field, the Lobsters continue to struggle but it is quite clear a blueprint is in place for a brighter tomorrow. "We are always trying to be competitive and field a good ballclub," club officials say, "but the ultimate goal here is build up to 2008." 3b Brad Stewart is having a Rookie of the Year type season, and with several top prospects on the way the future does look much brighter for Long Beach. "With Stewart, O'Neal, Sandavol, Coleman, Monk, Thomas, and Cardoza, we have the nucleus in place for a potentially expolsive offense unit. We also have some good young arms, and we will be seeking to make deals to trade 'extra offensive potential' for some arms." One insider tells us that means players including CF Schaffer and RF Guillen, as well as 3b/C Tullips, SS Renteria and Wilson, and C Johnson are and will be shopped. Club officals had no comment on this.

In addition, The Lobsters will always be in the market looking to improve themselves where they can. Another change forthcoming is the expected re-assignment of manager Seth Greenburg to a front office position. "This is a mutually agreed upon action as the Lobsters are seeking out a higher profile skipper to guide the team into the future. We will be adding the best and brightest here to guide us to where we need to be."

Through many querstionable personel decisions, the history of the franchise is checkered at best. "This franchise as always been the laughing stock of the league, but with our move to Long Beach, we have taken a wrecking ball to the past and put into motion a plan to bring this franchise to respectability, and the into contenders."

"Southern California has enough room for two good teams" The Riots are perenial powers, we hope to be able to join that class in the future."