DETROIT (AP) - The Motown Miracles franchise has officially requested that they be granted the right to move after the season.

"We've already submitted the paperwork to the Commissioner's office, and we are just waiting for the vote", said Motown GM Cory Muzyka. "It really pains me to say this, but we will miss the city of Detroit. They've supported us well since day one, when we came over here from Tenochitlan, and really deserve to have a Weaver League team in the city."

"The team is requesting that they be allowed to move to Vancouver", said Muzyka. "They've got a new ballpark all ready for us, complete with luxury boxes and all the latest amenities. They also have a dedicated season ticket base waiting for Weaver League baseball. It's a situation that is good for both the team and for the city."

Miracle first baseman Rich Aude, who has been with the franchise since 1999, was critical of management's decision to move.

"It's a real shame", said Aude. "We all hoped that eventually this would sort itself out and the city would help us build a ballpark to play in... but it just hasn't happened. The politicians in the city of Detroit should be ashamed of themselves."

"I'm disappointed in the team", said Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. "In my opinion we were just starting to get down the groundwork for a stadium to house the Miracles, and the team should have returned for another season while arrangements for a new stadium were worked out. Maybe this was their plan all along."

"Mayor Archer and I both know that there was no plan for a new stadium in Detroit, so we've done what's best for us and applied to move the team", said GM Muzyka. "We're not going to be announcing the team's new name and colours until the move has been approved."

"Everything is already in place, and we look forward to beginning a new era of baseball in Vancouver."