In L.A., Ross Newhan offers a "semi-promising update on the
labor situation." He notes a "degree of progress," a "more
respectful approach" from each side, and an eye toward a deal by
the All-Star break. But, there is still no agreement on the
payroll tax rate or the threshold at which the tax kicks in. For
now, the negotiators "have basically gone underground." While
there are still some "skeptics" on the union side who believe the
league still intends to unilaterally implement work rules, agent
Tom Reich predicts there will be a negotiated settlement, not a
fight over implementation. Reich: "I'm not saying that either
side has lost the will to fight, but both recognize that another
war would be mutually destructive." Newhan notes the players
will get back "all or most" of the service time lost in '94 in
exchange for replacing the single arbitrator system with a three-
person panel (L.A. TIMES, 6/30).
NEWS & NOTES: In Houston, Alan Truex makes the case for Bud
Selig not to become full-time commissioner, writing, "If baseball
is going to break out of its doldrums, it needs new images"
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/30)....Peter Gammons notes that Selig
believes an unbalanced schedule may be necessary with interleague
play. Also, Marge Schott is said to be preparing a lawsuit to
regain control of the Reds and oust interim CEO John Allen
(BOSTON GLOBE, 6/30)....Murray Chass notes the MLBPA has granted
the league a one-month extension on submitting a '97 schedule.
Interleague play is still "in limbo" due to union concerns over
the DH and imbalanced schedules (N.Y. TIMES, 6/30)....Televisa
will be host broadcaster and assist MLB in producing the world
feed for the Padres-Mets series August 16-18 from Monterrey,
Mexico (MLB Int'l)....League execs are "privately seething" of
the position of the Indians on the recent Albert Belle
suspension. One management exec, on Owner Richard Jacobs and GM
John Hart: "They were totally in bed with the union. Their
behavior was disgraceful" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/30).
