§ 22-1. Purpose and findings.

(a) Purpose.

The purpose of this subtitle is to prohibit the use of non-major league baseball players at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

(b) Findings.

(1) Oriole Park at Camden Yards was built to provide a place for major league baseball games to be played by the Baltimore Orioles baseball team for the benefit of fans of professional baseball in the Mid-Atlantic area.

(2) Oriole Park at Camden Yards was constructed pursuant to funding by the Maryland Stadium Authority and agreements between the Stadium Authority and the City of Baltimore. In addition, state laws impose continuing duties to be performed by the City of Baltimore in conjunction with the operation of the stadium.

(3) The operation of the stadium is an economic benefit to the City and the State of Maryland. A total sold-out season means the attendance of 4,600,000 fans in the City of Baltimore. Those fans, between April and October, patronize businesses that provide employment for many citizens in the metropolitan area.

(4) These major league baseball fans expect to see major league baseball players playing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Any player of less than major league caliber will be unacceptable to fans and will cause a substantial decrease in attendance.

(5) The recent position of the Commissioner of Baseball, at the request of the owners of the baseball teams to field non-major league baseball players in place of striking major league baseball players threatens the social and economic stability of the citizens of Baltimore and the Baltimore metropolitan area. The Commissioner's proposal to withdraw the franchise of any major league baseball team that does not comply further threatens the social and economic stability of the citizens of Baltimore and Baltimore metropolitan area.

(6) The City of Baltimore has a vested interest in the operation of Oriole Park and, hence, has the power and authority in the exercise of its police powers to enact laws to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of Baltimore.