As MLB's owners meetings concluded in Philadelphia,
Acting Commissioner Bud Selig says that realignment of
leagues and divisions is "front and center" on MLB's list of
things to accomplish, according to Bill Chastain of the
TAMPA TRIBUNE. Selig: "Frankly, [realignment] is my No. 1
priority." Astros Owner Drayton McLane, Jr. said that one
of the "main priorities" of the realignment committee is to
move the Devil Rays from the AL West to the AL East (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 6/13). USA TODAY's Hal Bodley writes that MLB's
plans for realignment "are in chaos" as each time the
realignment committee "thinks it has a piece that fits,
bitter opposition is voiced" (USA TODAY, 6/13).
WEB GO-AHEAD: In other news from the meetings, owners
"approved" guidelines on World Wide Web transmissions,
"which include rules that allow clubs to transmit live radio
broadcasts on their web sites." Fans will be able to access
games free of charge. The owners also extended the
contracts of AL President Gene Budig and NL President
Leonard Coleman through 2002 (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/13). In
other news, Fox-Liberty was given a four-year contract to
carry games on DBS TV and Selig said that the investigation
of Albert Belle's alleged gambling was ongoing (AP, 6/13).
NOTHING MINOR ABOUT THIS DEAL: MLB and the NAPBL
announced that they have reached agreement on a new ten-year
PBA effective October 1, 1997 and extending through the 2007
season. The new deal will replace the one that has been in
effect from '91 through the end of the current season. It
will provide for possible reopeners annually, beginning
after the sixth year. As part of the deal, MLB will
guarantee that it will field at least 158 NAPBL teams in the
'98 season and at least 160 teams in each season from '99-
2007 by means of Player Development Contracts and/or
ownership of NAPBL teams. Also in the deal is MLB
transferring administration of the Umpire Development
Program to the NAPBL, which MLB estimates will result in a
$5M saving to the parent clubs (NAPBL).
