Minor-league baseball could be back in Ottawa as soon as 2013 after an announcement of an "agreement in principle" with an American company Thursday.

A report recommends Beacon Sports of Boston negotiate with the city to bring an Eastern League AA-level team to the Ottawa Stadium.

"This is an important milestone towards bringing professional baseball back to the City of Ottawa for the enjoyment of all residents," said Mayor Jim Watson in a news release.

"Returning pro ball to Ottawa will allow the City to preserve this important purpose-built facility, maximize the use of an existing City asset and provide an additional recreation venue for our residents."

The City of Ottawa would spend $5.7 million of the $11.2 million it will take to renovate the stadium, with the rest covered by Beacon Sports.

The $5.5 million spent by Beacon Sports would include a million-dollar lease on a new scoreboard.

The city would charge the group $257,000 a year for an initial ten-year lease, then two five-year extension options.

"I am pleased to see that city staff is recommending that the city move to finalize an agreement for the long-term use of the baseball stadium," said Orleans councillor Bob Monette in a statement.

"I have always argued that this exceptional city asset should not be demolished and that the city should do what it can, within a responsible fiscal framework, to bring pro baseball back to the nation's capital."

AA baseball is two levels below the major leagues and is a training ground for many future MLB stars.

Eastern League alumni include Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees, Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies and Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins.

The stadium hosted the AAA-level Ottawa Lynx until 2007, when the Philadelphia Phillies affiliate moved on.

Eastern League rules mean which franchise is coming and whose affiliate it will be can't be announced until the deal is official.

Ottawa's Finance and Economic Development Committee will look at the report on Thursday followed by city council on Feb. 22.