NAMES IN THE NEWS

          Over 100 club owners, club execs and league presidents
     from the Nat'l Association of Professional Baseball Leagues
     (NAPBL) will be in Washington, D.C, tomorrow for
     Congressional Day, '97, a series of meetings with Senators
     and Reps to discuss baseball's antitrust exemption
     (NAPBL)....GORDON KIRKE, a well known lawyer for some of
     Canada's top sports figures, is leaving the Toronto law firm
     of Goodman, Phillips & Vineberg to start his own firm
     specializing in sports law and the representation of
     athletes and entertainers.  "His independence also enhances
     his candidacy" for CFL commissioner (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL,
     2/26)....USMC Maj. RICK LONG, a spokesperson from Parris
     Island, claimed "perhaps he was too pointed" in his
     criticism of RIDDICK BOWE.  Long, yesterday:  "I shouldn't
     have said a lot of occasions.  There were some occasions
     when he was told to do something and he did not immediately
     do it" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/26).