Several star players held a press conference in Orlando, FL,
to "reaffirm their solidarity," express their support for their
union leadership and discuss the proposed "barnstorming" tour
which would start in April if the season opens with replacements.
The MLBPA would not release specifics on the tour "but said it is
working on such things as sponsors, securing dates and stadiums,
and the legal issues of using players under contract" (Marc
Topkin, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 3/16). MLBPA Licensing Dir Judy
Heeter, on the tour: "We never viewed it as something we would
do to be inflammatory. It's our way of putting baseball back on
the field if we can't do it any other way" (Murray Chass, N.Y.
TIMES, 3/16). The players were told that Reebok had withdrawn as
tour sponsor (Chuck Johnson, USA TODAY, 3/16).
RIPKEN FACTOR: MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr said that Cal
Ripken's consecutive game streak should be preserved because
replacement games should not count in the standings. MLBPA
General Counsel Gene Orza: "You don't draw lines in the sand in
collective bargaining, but that's a line in the sand. You can
take it to the bank that scab games will not count in the
standings. The players will not go back to work if they do."
Ripken was at the press conference (Peter Schmuck, Baltimore SUN,
3/16). Management sources say the owners "certainly would not
agree to eliminate replacement records," citing the potential of
lawsuits from refund-seeking fans (Mark Maske, WASHINGTON POST,
3/16).
WEEKEND OUTLOOK: No talks are scheduled, although Special
Mediator William Usery is pushing for this weekend. There "may
even be a private meeting" between Fehr and Bud Selig (Mark
Maske, WASHINGTON POST, 3/16). MLBPA attorney Lauren Rich: "I
believe we are at a crossroads. If we don't get a deal in the
next 10 days, you are looking at a renewed era of endless
litigation" (Baltimore SUN, 3/16).
PROGRESS ON ANOTHER FRONT: The locked-out umpires have
withdrawn the unfair labor practices charges they had filed
against the AL and NL ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/15).
NOTHING TO SPIT ABOUT: MLB announced it will continue to
enforce a ban on all tobacco products throughout the minor
leagues -- from Rookie League to AAA. MLB Dir of Minor League
Ops Jimmie Lee Solomon: "We instituted the ban because we were
concerned about the health of the people in our organizations, as
well as the image they portray" (MLB). NEWS & NOTES: The
Phillies took out a full-page ad in the St. Pete Times, the Tampa
Tribune and USA Today addressed to the Harp Family of Largo,
Florida. The family is a fixture at spring training. The ad
reads in part: "We are playing baseball. ... Make a day of it at
the park, like you've always done" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS,
3/15)....The Indians announced a modified policy giving any paid-
in-full season plan holder the option to cancel their seats for
the upcoming season and retain the opportunity to repurchase for
'96 with a per seat deposit (Indians)....The Red Sox will
discount ticket prices 50% for April home games, regardless of
whether the strike is settled. The team says 94% of its season-
ticket holders have renewed (HARTFORD COURANT, 3/16). ....The
Rangers have sold about 21,000 tickets for their opener against
the Yankees. At this time last year, the Ballpark (41,219
capacity) was sold out (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/16)....Giants
Owner Peter Magowan predicts that the season will start with
replacements. Magowan said, if anything, the owners have
"hardened over the last few months," and that they know what to
expect from replacement games -- "a third to a fourth of our
regular attendance." Glenn Dickey writes, what is "scary" is
that Magowan is a "moderate in the baseball world" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 3/16).
