League Notes
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Selig (l) Receives Hank Greenberg
Memorial Achievement Award |
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig last night while being honored with the '08 Hank Greenberg Memorial Achievement Award said that he is "not sure if instant replay could be instituted by next season." Selig: "We're studying it now. I'm always willing to consider change, if it's practical. ... Game's have just gotten longer and longer -- there's no reason for them. When 2-1 games take three hours, you have to ask what's going on" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3).
SAFETY FIRST: USA TODAY's Jorge Ortiz in a sports-section Cover Story reports MLB and the MLBPA have scheduled a June 24 meeting to "discuss safety concerns around the game, including what to do about maple bats, which tend to shatter instead of crack like ash bats do." The options include "banning maple bats altogether, modifying their specifications -- likely thickening the handle -- allowing their use for batting practice only and/or extending protective netting at ballparks" (USA TODAY, 6/3).
ADVANTAGE, ENGLAND: FIFA VP and CONCACAF CEO Jack Warner Saturday described the success of a potential U.S. bid for the 2018 World Cup as "dubious." Warner: "From the point of view of fair play between America and England then it should be England. ... England should hold the World Cup. By 2018 it will be 52 years since they have hosted the tournament" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 6/1). The U.S. hosted the '94 FIFA World Cup (THE DAILY).
OCHOA EFFECT? First Tee of Philadelphia Exec Dir John McDonald suggested that the USGA "might consider updating its First Tee banners, which are prominently displayed and promoted," to add LPGA member Lorena Ochoa along side PGA Tour member Tiger Woods and golfer Michelle Wie. In Philadelphia, Joe Logan noted it is "hard to quantify" Ochoa's impact on tournaments and ticket sales. McDonald's LPGA Championship Dir of Business Development Peter Wilder said of Ochoa's impact on the tournament's sales, "I think we are seeing that slightly" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/1).
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