Out of Control

... for an "Office of Baseball."

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mayor Anthony Williams is asking the D.C. Council to approve $53 million in emergency spending, which includes money to create an "Office of Baseball" to oversee construction of the Nationals ballpark.

The proposal also includes $8 million to cover a funding shortfall at the agency that cares for the mentally and physically disabled.

The mayor is asking for $750,000 to start the baseball office. He says it's needed to streamline oversight of the massive stadium project. But the idea of an Office of Baseball sounds strange to some lawmakers.

D.C. Council member Adrian Fenty, who is running for mayor, says the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission and the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation are already funded to oversee the baseball project.

D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp says she plans to hold a public hearing on the funding package.