Labor pains? Check these answers

Sporting News, The, April 10, 1995 by Bob Klapisch

So the Great Baseball Strike of 1994-95 is over - or at least, it has been freeze-framed. The waiting was hard enough, but now comes an even messier chore - trying to make sense of what the cease-fire means and how it will affect an already blemished 1995 season.

The best fans can hope for is six months of uninterrupted baseball, although both sides will continue to be suspicious of the other until a collective-bargaining agreement is signed. The atmosphere is still volatile. Hold your breath. We guarantee nothing

Q: So if nothing has changed, what's to stop the Players from striking again in August or September?

A. They could be tempted to, because the owners could have a stronger case for declaring an impasse at the end of the 1995 season - especially after nearly 1 1/2 years of fruitless negotiations. Since baseball still enjoys an antitrust exemption, the owners could implement their work rules and payroll tax after all. Incredibly, if the owners can survive the season, they could be in a better position than ever next winter.

Q: Is a negotiated deal possible in the interim?

A. It's not impossible, but there's still a wide gulf between the two sides. The owners want a 50 percent tax over payrolls exceeding $44 million, and the Players countered with a 25 percent tax over $50 million. The players' proposal would have resulted in the taxation of six teams, which is why the owners rejected it. But at least both sides are including a payroll tax as part of any settlement.

Q: Will three weeks of spring training be enough to prepare the players adequately for the regular season?

A. That's about all it took for everyone to get in shape after the 1990 lockout. The pitchers have to exercise the greatest care during a hurry-up spring training, making it near-impossible anyone will be throwing complete games before mid-May. It won't be so difficult to achieve top velocity, but stamina only comes with innings. It's likely most teams will carry 2 to 3 extra pitchers until their arms round into midseason form. Figure on it taking a month or so.

Q: What about the compressed regular-season schedule? How many games will be played in 1995?

A: Fight now, 144 games is the accepted figure, starting on April 26. It's mathematically possible for 162 games to be played - by filling up offdays and stacking up double-headers - but the players are unlikely to create any more revenue for the owners, especially after a strike they feel was provoked by management.

Q: Why start on April 26?

A. It's an odd date, because it's a Wednesday and the final game in many-series around both leagues. But all 28 teams are scheduled to play on the 26th, and eight teams have offdays scheduled for the 27th. Baseball officials would rather get going sooner than later, and having Opening Day on the 26th represents exactly three weeks of preparation.

Q: But starting on April 26 doesn't guarantee 144 games for each team, does it?

A. No, it doesn't. The Orioles, for instance will play 143 games if they start on April 26. That has longer-term ramifications for Cal Ripken's streak. He's now on page to tie Lou Gehrig's consecutive-game record on September 8 against the Indians - on the road. It's possible the Orioles will schedule a doubleheader sometime before September 6 so Ripken can play his 2,131st consecutive game - the record-breaker - in front of his fans in Baltimore. more.

Q: If it's Possible to customize the schedule, can it be considered a real season?

A: Nothing has been real in baseball since the World Series was canceled last October. Since then, the major leagues have been exploring unchartered territory. So 1995 will be remembered as any other season, only that it will have fewer games. Of course, historians will note that all single-season champions (batting title, home-run king, etc.) competed in abridged schedule. But ifs better than the alternative.

Q: What about all the free agents out there? Is there enough time for them to negotiate tracts?

A. There are 191 players who are undisputed free agents, and three weeks means the negotiating period will be intense. That will work to the club's advantage, because agents will be unable to use comparable player's signing figures as a measuring stick for their clients. That's because everyone will be signing at virtually at same time.

Q: Where will the free agents work out while their agents negotiate?.

A. In Homestead, Fla. that's where group of 120 or so players were planning train in preparation for a barnstorming tour had the strike not been "settled." Now, the free agents will work out on their own, actually auditioning for clubs who might wonder whether to make an investment in them.

Q: Will the free-agent market suffer as a result of the strike?

A: Without question. The clubs will insist there's no money, and in some cases that may be true. There was speculation that in the later stages of the strike, the Giants were running true of the Expos - whose financial situation was so severe, they were rumored to be borrowing cash from the owners' central pool.