
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 3, 1993                   TAG: 9306030154
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Short

BASEBALL BANS USE OF TOBACCO IN MINOR LEAGUES

Major-league baseball announced Wednesday all uniformed personnel in the minor leagues will be banned from chewing or smoking tobacco during games, beginning June 15.

The order extends to players, managers, coaches and umpires.

"We are instituting this ban in order to address our concerns for both the health of our baseball personnel and the image they may portray," said Dick Wagner, assistant to the chairman of baseball's ruling executive council.

Each violation will cause an ejection and a $300 fine in Class AAA, Class AA and the Arizona Fall League, and ejection and a $100 fine in Class A, Rookie Leagues, extended spring training and instructional leagues. Managers will be ejected for any violation by players or staff on their teams. The major leagues have jurisdiction over the entire minor-league system. The ruling executive council said the policy will be monitored primarily by umpires and managers.

by CNB