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MLB boss warns general managers about economy

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-05 11:44

DANA POINT, California _ Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig warned team general managers about the financial crisis as they formally began their annual meeting on Tuesday.

Some club executives say teams have delayed setting budgets for payroll because they want to determine whether the economic downturn will change revenue projections.

Selig spoke to the GMs by video conference for eight or nine minutes, according to Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president of MLB operations in the commissioner's office. Solomon said Selig began the session by discussing the state of MLB.

"He also talked about our economy and how troubling it's been, and how we have to operate in a fashion that's cognizant of that economy," Solomon said. "Basically it was short and to the point."

Solomon said the GMs also received an umpire report. After instant replay for certain home run calls began on August 28, seven calls were reviewed by umpires and two were overturned. While it was available, instant replay was not needed for any playoff games.

Unlike last year, the GMs did not all state their offseason goals. The idea, sed, the parents, too."

GMs also heard a presentation on relations with Nippon Professional Baseball. Japanese clubs are unhappy 22-year-old pitcher Junichi Tazawa wants to bypass professional clubs in his own country and sign with a major league team.

"We're sitting down with the various commissioner's offices from the various countries and talking with them about our protocol agreements, but nothing definitive," Solomon said.