SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Baseball commissioner Bud Selig remains confident a financing package will be completed for a new Florida Marlins' ballpark despite the collapse of the latest plan in May.

``There still seems to be optimism. We're hopeful that something can be put back together,'' Selig said Tuesday during a question-and-answer session before the All-Star game.

Legislation that would have provided a $60 million subsidy was approved by the Florida House in April, but the Senate never voted on it before its annual session ended. In 2006, the Senate approved a bill that died in the House.

``It's, frankly, very discouraging at the moment. The commissioner is very upset about it. No one's very happy,'' said Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer. ``We thought the stars were aligned. We thought that everything was in place to get that final piece. We were very disappointed when the legislature adjourned without passing (it).''

Florida is averaging 17,821 fans at Dolphin Stadium, which is between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The only major league team with a lower average is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (14,197).

``I think south Florida, with right ballpark, could be an excellent major league franchise,'' Selig said. ``There isn't a doubt in my mind.''

Baseball remains in contact with government officials in the Miami area.

``We don't want to give up on the market,'' DuPuy said.

Because of the constant threat of late-afternoon rain in Miami, Major League Baseball wants a new Marlins ballpark to have a retractable roof.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.