The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Doug Smith Column.

By Doug Smith, The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

May 5--Tim Newman made the transition two weeks ago from baseball general manager to leader of the nonprofit organization that promotes uptown development in Charlotte.

But baseball lingo hasn't been erased from his vocabulary.

"Right now I'm working on the base hit things to get the game going, if you will," he said.

The lineup includes:

--Attracting a 24-hour drugstore to serve center city residents.

--Persuading a multi-screen theater operator to open in the core.

--Figuring out with city officials what to do with the old convention center at Trade and College streets.

--Reviving …