U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) gave MLB owners "two weeks
to play ball with him," or he will look to move a bill to
partially strip MLB's exemption from antitrust laws,
according to Lee Davidson of the DESERET NEWS. Hatch
postponed a Senate Judiciary debate to give owners "one last
chance to propose any changes they want." Hatch: "We've
heard from the players ... but we haven't heard from the
owners. I'd like to have something both sides can agree on.
But if they don't agree, we're going to put this through
anyway." Hatch's bill would partially lift the antitrust
exemption to "allow players to sue" over such issues. His
bill would "not effect" MLB's control over the minor leagues
or team locations (DESERET NEWS, 3/20).
OTHER MLB NEWS: MLB owners gave $11.3M to the union's
benefit plan yesterday and sent checks of up to $13,666 to
players who were in the majors last year when the new CBA
took effect (Mult., 3/21)....Yankee Owner George
Steinbrenner has decided to give $25,000 and World Series
rings to three replacement players who were "denied"
championship shares last year after a vote by Yankees
players. The three players are Matt Howard, Dave Pavlas and
Dale Polley (N.Y. TIMES, 3/21).
