BASEBALL JOINS THE PARTY: IBA VOTES TO ALLOW PROS AT GAMES

     The International Baseball Association voted to rescind its
amateur-only rule for the Olympics, world championships and other
IBA events, according to the N.Y. TIMES.  The motion, which
required a 2/3 majority, passed 56-7-2.  IBA President Aldo
Notari acknowledged, however, there might be "little chance" of
having major leaguers compete in Sydney, because the 2000 Games
are scheduled for September 16 -October 1 (AP/N.Y. TIMES, 9/22).
In K.C., columnist Jeffrey Flanagan writes the vote is "merely
wishful thinking" for those hoping for major league's in the 2000
Games, adding the "Don't think for a second ... that [MLB] will
cooperate" with shutting down the season for two weeks so that
its players can participate in Sydney (K.C. STAR, 9/22).