QUIET ON THE BASEBALL FRONT: ALL- STAR GAMES O.K'D

     In Chicago, Terry Armour writes, "both parties in the major-
league baseball fiasco agree on one thing:  The game's image is
in desperate need of enhancement."  With that in mind, Acting
Commissioner Bud Selig has given the Black United Fund of New
York to go-ahead to put together a series of all-star games:  two
each in Chicago, New York and L.A. to help benefit the people of
Rwanda.  The games are tentatively scheduled for the end of the
month, with a team of AL East all-stars playing a team of NL East
all-stars in New York, Central all-stars facing off in Chicago
and West all-stars playing in L.A. (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/4).
Meanwhile, Nike announced that it would not sponsor a series of
all-star baseball games to benefit youth sports.  The objective
was to raise awareness and money for youth sports programs.
Officials at Nike said the "logistics involved are too complex to
overcome" (THE DAILY).
     OTHER NEWS:  Rep. Pat Williams (D-MT), chair of the House
Committee on Education & Labor, said that if the strike is not
settled by the time Congress reconvenes January 3, he will call
more hearings.  The House Judiciary Committee last week approved
legislation that would have "partially removed the owners'
antitrust exemption," but the effort to pass a similar bill in
the Senate failed last Friday.  No talks between the owners and
players are scheduled for today.  MLBPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr, who
completed a 7-city tour to update his players, probably will meet
with players in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic next week.
Owners are expected to meet in Detroit during the week of October
16 to discuss how they will proceed next season (PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER, 10/4).
     YANKEE STABILITY:  In New York, Joel Sherman notes that
"barring the unexpected," Yankee manager Buck Showalter "will do
what no other Steinbrenner-reign manager has done   -- begin a
fourth straight season in the job.  Of course, when the next
season begins is uncertain" (N.Y. POST, 10/4).