DAYTON, Ohio -- Attorneys for a group that tried unsuccessfully to bring a minor-league team to Dayton asked a federal judge Monday to allow them to question former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott about her racial opinions.

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court, Baseball at Trotwood Inc. said there is evidence Schott made decisions regarding the Dayton baseball project and that her racial views are relevant because Baseball at Trotwood's majority owner is former boxing promoter Rock Newman, who is black.

Schott's attorney, Stephen Bailey, said he had not seen the court filing and declined comment.

The Cincinnati Reds granted territorial rights to the Dayton Professional Baseball Club, paving the way for that group to bring a Class-A affiliate to Dayton next spring.

Baseball at Trotwood is suing the Dayton Professional Baseball Club and Schott, alleging it was the victim of racial discrimination.

Schott is scheduled to be questioned privately later this month by attorneys for Baseball at Trotwood.

On Sept. 10, Schott asked Judge Walter Rice for a protective order to bar any inquiry into her religious beliefs or practices, ethnic background, or opinions on racial relations and discrimination.

Schott has been disciplined twice by Major League Baseball for making inflammatory remarks. She was suspended by baseball's executive council for the 1993 season because of racially and ethnically offensive remarks.

Schott agreed to turn over daily operation of the Reds to John Allen in 1996 rather than accept another suspension for additional inflammatory remarks.

According to court documents filed by her attorneys, Schott played no part in the Reds' decision to grant territorial rights to the Dayton Professional Baseball Club because she had been suspended from making such decisions.

Last week, Major League Baseball approved the $67 million sale of Schott's controlling interest in the Reds to her partners.