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

DATE: SATURDAY, August 14, 1993                   TAG: 9308140004
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: KOHLER, WIS.                                LENGTH: Medium

BASEBALL TENSION EASES

Baseball essentially was guaranteed another 12 months of labor peace when owners promised not to stage a spring training lockout next year or threaten salary arbitration this winter.

The move, announced late Thursday night, came after owners failed to agree on a revenue-sharing plan after approximately 30 hours of meetings in a 36-hour span.

"It would be irresponsible to set any artificial deadlines whatsoever in terms of achieving our understanding with the union," management negotiator Richard Ravitch said. "I want to make it clear right now . . . that in no way will the opening of the season be jeopardized by any action of the owners of major-league baseball."

Players, worried that owners would attempt to eliminate salary arbitration by declaring a bargaining impasse after the current labor agreement expires on Dec. 31, were considering a pre-emptive strike later this season. But the no-lockout pledge, coupled with a promise not to change work rules before Opening Day, virtually guaranteed players another off-season under the terms of the four-year deal that has seen the average rise salary to $1.12 million. Agents said the union wouldn't risk a strike now if another winter under the current agreement was certain.

Donald Fehr, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, was in Colorado, and Ravitch said Friday he hadn't spoken with him since the meeting concluded.

"Until we hear from Ravitch and the owners, we're not going to comment," union lawyer Lauren Rich said in New York.

Players, who have preferred late-season work stoppages because they can threaten postseason television money, sounded relieved that a possible confrontation was put off.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction," said Mike Henneman, the Detroit Tigers' player representative.

Henneman, like other players, wanted Ravitch's pledges put in writing.

"Until you get on the altar and get the old marriage license signed and delivered, it's nothing," he said. "People walk away from the altar all the time. But it's very encouraging."

by CNB