Pac-Man and the Pirates

Some computer buffs might argue that video games are well on their way to replacing baseball as the national pastime. Warner Communications Inc., whose Atari unit has reaped a fortune on such electronic diversions as Pac-Man and Asteroids, apparently thinks that there is still money to be made from real-life action on a dusty playing field. Warner announced last week that it will buy a 48% share in the Pittsburgh Pirates from the team's longtime owners, the John W. Galbreath family of Pittsburgh, for an undisclosed price.

At best, Warner's investment appears risky. Since 1971 the Pirates have lost perhaps $10 million because of poor attendance and escalating maintenance costs at Three Rivers Stadium. After winning the World Series in 1979, the club fell in 1982 to fourth place in the six-team National League East Division. Pittsburgh's total attendance last season of 1,030,830 ranked 25th out of 26 major league teams.

Warner is confident, however, that its formidable promotional skills can help generate new excitement about the Pirates. But it may not be easy to lure young fans from Pac-Man.