The judge in Howard Spira's attempted extortion trial ruled yesterday that his chief accuser, George Steinbrenner, can be cross-examined about a 1974 fraud conviction.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton came after the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, indicated that the New York Yankees owner would be called to the witness stand this morning.

Spira's lawyer, David S. Greenfield, said he wanted to cross-examine Steinbrenner about the conviction as part of an effort to attack his credibility.

* TIGERS: Team president Bo Schembechler said the team wants Wayne County and the city to build a new Tiger Stadium near the existing facility in downtown Detroit.

Reports for months have indicated the Tigers want to move to a suburb, but Schembechler said officials from the club, Wayne County and Detroit have discussed establishing an enterprise zone, including the existing stadium, where a new facility would go. He said the old stadium field should be saved for use by high school teams.