York Revolution mascot Downtown sits with Lancaster Barnstormers Thursday, September 18, 2007, during a game in York. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - JOHN ZEEDICK)

One of the biggest baseball arguments, plucked from the barstools and fire halls in small towns such as Pleasureville and Glen Rock, could become a reality next year.

The York Revolution are in the preliminary stages of organizing exhibition games against teams comprised of local baseball players in the Central and Susquehanna leagues. The Revolution have talked to a member of the Central League and hope to contact the Susquehanna League in the coming weeks.

Even before the minor league Revolution began play in May 2007, there has been a divide between local baseball fans. Some have argued that independent baseball offered no more talent than some of the Mt. Wolf clubs. The Revolution had a $32 million stadium and a spiffy home-run cannon. The sandlots had players, minus the stadium, cannon and sweet uniforms.

Former Red Lion standout Travis Hake carved out a nice run with the Lancaster Barnstormers, batting .300 in 2005 -- providing the hardcore sandlot fans with the proof that small towns in York County had just as much talent as the Revs -- never mind the fact the professional team had No. 1 draft picks and former major leaguers.

It was the perfect argument. Just like picking sides in a fight between Batman vs. Spider Man, added intrigue arose because the matchup was destined never to happen. Professional teams don't play amateurs, but that didn't stop baseball fans from talking.

"Now we'll see," Holtzapple said. "The Revolution don't want a bunch

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of ballplayers coming in there beating them, and an all-star team (of local players) doesn't want to go in there and be embarrassed. It's going to make it exciting for the fans and create a lot of interest."

Revolution General Manager Matt O'Brien said numerous details still need to be finalized. Atlantic League Executive Joe Klein would have to sign off on any type of scrimmage featuring teams outside the league. But this type of exhibition games could bridge the gap with diehard fans of sandlot baseball, some of whom have yet to step inside Sovereign Bank Stadium.

"I think it's going to be of great interest to people in the county, and I'm sure the ballplayers are going to be happy to compete against professionals," Stoverstown manager Curly Holtzapple said.

The Revolution contacted Holtzapple first because they have developed a relationship with the former minor league infielder. A former teammate of Brooks Robinson on the York White Roses, Holtzapple has participated in several events at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

The movie "Mystery Alaska" depicted a scenario where a team of small town hockey players challenged the New York Rangers. And while the Revolution aren't the big leagues, the scrimmages could bring a different type of feel to spring training, perhaps even the hope of a local player being discovered or signed.

"Who knows? Someone may blossom and look good," Holtzapple said. "Who knows what could happen?

"The only downside is it's early in the season, and we're not going to have the college kids. Let's face it, the college kids are half our ball teams, but I still think we have enough old-timers out there that we'd be able to compete."

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Senators announce renovations: The Harrisburg Senators said Commerce Bank Stadium will be renovated, with construction costs totaling $32 million, during 2009-10.

The independent Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution both outdrew Double-A Harrisburg last season, a starting sign of the times since Harrisburg once boasted some of the best teams in minor league baseball. But the stadium, built in 1987 looked terrible in recent years, especially when fans could experience baseball at brand new parks in York and Lancaster.

York and Lancaster owner Peter Kirk, however, welcomes the updates in Harrisburg.

"Getting that ballpark up to standards benefits minor league baseball," Kirk said. "I'm a minor league baseball lifer. I want to see minor league improvements.

"(Renovations) will create more interest and more excitement, and it will help all operations.

Atlantic League expansion: Kirk has not given up hope that his ownership group can one day build a minor league franchise in Richmond. That deal, however, has been complicated. A developer plans to use $800 million into the re-development of the area.

Kirk remains confident the league will continue to grow however, and his group, Opening Day Partners, continues plans to build teams in West Chester and suburban Washington, D.C.

"I do think in the next four or five years the league could grow to 10 teams, and 12 teams could be a possibility," Kirk said. "There are all sorts of communities interested, but it's very difficult to predict which communities and the type of timing it will take."

jseip@ydr.com; 771-2025