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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 31, 1995                   TAG: 9503310081
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

OPENING DAY - IN COURT

The baseball strike moved a bit closer to a settlement Thursday night, but it still was uncertain whether the season would start this weekend with replacement players - or if at all.

``We are making some progress,'' union head Donald Fehr said after presenting a new offer to management.

Fehr spoke on the eve of a federal court hearing that could end the nearly eight-month walkout and stop strikebreakers from taking the field Sunday night when the New York Mets play at Florida.

Earlier in the day, owners formally approved using replacement players in a 26-2 vote, with only Baltimore and Toronto opposed. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner voted against replacements in an initial roll call, then changed to vote for them at the end of the conference call.

But with the court hearing and more bargaining ahead, teams weren't sure if replacement ball would start as scheduled.

``Right now, it's 50-50,'' Boston Red Sox chief executive officer John Harrington said.

Acting commissioner Bud Selig did not appear as optimistic as Fehr.

The players' proposal called for an adjustment in the luxury tax rate placed on clubs. The new offer would have affected six teams in 1994, one more than in the union's previous plan.

Owners, who would commit about $22 million in bonuses to the replacements if the season starts Sunday, issued a statement saying all games with replacements would count in the standings.

With the Orioles refusing to field a replacement team, the American League directed the Chicago White Sox and Texas not to travel to Baltimore next week for scheduled games at Camden Yards and told the replacement umpires - the regulars are locked out - they wouldn't be working there.

On the 231st day of the strike, U.S. District Judge Sonia Sotomayor told the sides she was inclined to hear only oral arguments - not witnesses - during today's hearing at the U.S. Court House.

The National Labor Relations Board has asked Sotomayor to issue a preliminary injunction to restore free-agent bidding and salary arbitration, which were unilaterally eliminated by the owners Feb.6.

The union's executive board voted Wednesday to end the strike if Sotomayor issues the injunction. Owners could lock players out, but it appears the pro-lockout faction will be unable to get the necessary 21 votes from among the 28 clubs.

by CNB