The Atlantic League Board of Directors answered a number of questions after meeting at the All-Star Game in Somerset last week.

But the biggest news could be the one question the board didn't answer. The league still has no official plan for spring training. For 11 years the league has boasted being the only independent league to travel to Florida for spring training -- just like major league organizations.

But the Atlantic League's contract with the Detroit Tigers' spring training facility in Lakeland, Fla., expired this spring. And the league has not signed a new contract with another major league organization.

The league has delayed making an official decision on the matter in order to look at other options.

It's an official no-decision.

Had the league been sold on going south, however, this no-decision wouldn't be happening. The league needs time to plan. It needed to find a facility. It needed to get a number of teams on board, or else it doesn't make sense to pay for a facility. So the no-news in essence is another move closer to the Revolution staying home at Sovereign Bank Stadium next spring and playing exhibitions in front of a hometown crowd.

Opening Day Partners Chairman Peter Kirk has openly discussed the positives of holding spring training at the league's home stadiums. Stay-training would bring more fans into the ballpark in the spring. And while some York fans traveled to Tigertown to watch the Revs play exhibition games, very few

fans could afford the time or money needed to make a special trip for minor league spring training.

he bad news coming out of the All-Star Game proved to be the future of the game.

York fans had a glimpse of the Atlantic League All-Star Game last season, when Lancaster hosted it.

Big show.

Packed house.

Fun game.

Just doing some quick math, York looked to be in the mix to host the game -- and soon. Lancaster hosted the biggest show in the league during the franchise's third season.

But it's not that simple.

The league has a rotation.

That's why Newark will host the game in 2009. That's why Long Island will host in 2010. And that's why York will host in 2011, according to league officials.

It's a little longer wait than expected. But fans should look on the bright side, they probably won't have to buy those airline tickets to Florida anymore.

Jim Seip covers the Atlantic League for the Daily Record/Sunday News. Reach him at 771-2025 or jseip@ydr.com.