BY GEOFF HOBSON and LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The main negotiators for the Reds and Hamilton County are talking again.

But that's not to say Reds managing executive John Allen and Hamilton County Administrator David Krings are any closer to a deal.

In fact, Mr. Allen said Tuesday he took calls from officials from other local governments a day after he said the Reds would look elsewhere for a ballpark in Greater Cincinnati.

And Hamilton County Commissioner John S. Dowlin said if the Reds don't come closer to the county's downtown stadium offer soon, they should expect to play in Cinergy Field until the end of their lease in 2010.

"Probably at some time, our negotiators will call up John (Allen) and say, 'Nothing has changed, and if nothing has changed from your standpoint, you can plan on our making you stay at Cinergy Field,' " Mr. Dowlin said. "Then they can sue us or whatever."

Also Tuesday:

• A source told the Enquirer that Reds Chief Executive Officer Marge Schott is upset with Mr. Allen's handling of Monday's press conference. She is trying to understand what restrictions she faces in the negotiations under the terms of her suspension from Major League Baseball in an effort to exert more influence with the county.

  Mr. Allen has been granted sole authority by baseball to sign off on a stadium.

• Hamilton County Commission President Bob Bedinghaus said Monday's dueling news conferences could be taken as a sign of progress in negotiations.

"We talked; this isn't personal," said Mr. Allen of his phone call with Mr. Krings. "It wasn't hello-goodbye. It was a good conversation."

Mr. Allen would not say which Greater Cincinnati locales contacted him about building the Reds a ballpark. But he said the Reds won't do what the Twins appear ready to do, which is leave Minnesota for a city outside its geographical territory because it can't get a stadium built.

"We'll let the dust settle for a day or so and see," said Mr. Allen, when asked whether the inquiries were legitimate.

Mr. Allen has consulted with Mrs. Schott on stadium issues, and she has sat in on the last two negotiating sessions, which are allowable under her suspension.

But the source said not being involved is "eating her up emotionally. She feels she made a commitment to the community and fans and wants to do the right thing."

Mrs. Schott declined to comment.

While Mrs. Schott struggles with her role, Mr. Bedinghaus said he suspects negotiators for the county and Reds will talk again within a couple days.

"In a convoluted kind of behind-the-scenes way, I think those people interested in this coming to a closure might find this a positive step," Mr. Bedinghaus said. "These are not the kind of discussions or actions you find early in a negotiating process."

That's not to say the county will call the Reds and give the team everything it wants, Mr. Dowlin said.

Mr. Dowlin said he expects county negotiators will reiterate the county's position. That includes the fact that if the county has to pour as much as $50 million into Cinergy Field to make it serviceable beyond the 2001 season, it's unlikely the Reds will get a new ballpark at all.

But commissioners stressed there is still room to negotiate a deal with the Reds.

"Let's sit down at the table and have a meaningful dialogue," said Commissioner Tom Neyer Jr. "It doesn't matter who takes the next step."

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