Museum board members Con Maloney (left) and Cal Wells are among a local group close to finalizing the purchase of the Jackson Senators.

Museum board vice-president Cal Wells and founding board member Con Maloney are among the members of a local group close to purchasing the Jackson Senators , an independent professional baseball team in the Central Baseball League.

"Our wives would probably say we're fanatics," Wells told a standing room only press conference February 19, 2004. "Most of us would just say we love baseball."

Maloney, a member of the Museum's original board of directors who still serves, was the owner of Jackson's Double "A" Texas League entry that was sold in 1999 after a 25-year stay.

"Our plan is that the Senators will never leave," said Maloney.

The franchise was previously owned by Fort Worth, Texas businessman Carl Bell , who will maintain a minority interest in the team.

Other members of the new ownserhip group include former Jackson Mayor Kane Ditto ; Bill Brown of Brown Bottling Co; John Calhoun and Rod Hill of IMS Engineers; and Jerry Hafter former owner of the CBL's Greenville Bluesmen.

Wells said the new ownership anticipated no front office or managerial changes.

The team will also manage its home field, 5200-seat Smith-Wills Stadium which is located just across the parking lot from the Museum on Lakeland Drive.

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