MLB OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE GIVES DODGERS AND FOX NOD TO PROCEED

          MLB's Ownership Committee unanimously agreed to permit
     the Dodgers to continue discussions with Fox regarding the
     sale of the team.  Committee Chair William Bartholomay said
     that the team "may now proceed to draft an agreement" with
     Fox "subject to the approval" of the Ownership Committee and
     MLB (MLB).  In L.A., Jim Hodges writes that the "seemingly
     glacial pace" of the sale "picked up" with the announcement. 
     Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley: "I'd say we're in the seventh
     inning of a nine inning game. ... This is a significant step
     ... and quite frankly I do not anticipate any surprises down
     the road."  Hodges adds that final approval could come at 
     MLB's September meetings (L.A. TIMES, 7/31).