To apply arbitration to major league baseball , and for other purposes.

January 4, 1995

Mr. WILLIAMS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities

To apply arbitration to major league baseball , and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Major League Play Ball Act'.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

It is the purpose of this Act to encourage serious negotiations between the major league baseball players and the owners of major league baseball , to prevent the continued economic loss to individuals not involved in the negotiations whose livelihood depends on baseball being played, to prevent ongoing losses to those communities that host major league baseball , to preserve major and minor league baseball , and to resolve the dispute between the players and owners.

SEC. 3. ARBITRATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- Effective February 1, 1995, the dispute between the owners of major league baseball and the labor organization representing the players of major league baseball shall be subject to binding arbitration by the arbitration board established under subsection (b).

(b) ARBITRATION BOARD-

(1) ESTABLISHMENT- For purposes of subsection (a), there is established an arbitration board which shall consist of--

(A) one representative of the owners of major league baseball selected by such owners,

(B) one representative of the major league baseball player's association selected by such association, and

(C) one individual to be selected in accordance with the procedures of the American Arbitration Association or procedures otherwise agreed to by the parties.

The board shall convene February 1, 1995 to resolve all issues not resolved by the parties.

(2) AUTHORITY- The board shall have the power to take testimony under oath, to conduct hearings, and to issue subpoenas for books and records. The parties appearing before the board may be represented by counsel.

(3) DECISION- The board shall select between the final offer of each party which may be submitted before the close of the hearing held under paragraph (2). The board shall consider the following in selecting the most appropriate offer--

(A) the unique legal status of major league baseball ,

(B) the history of collective bargaining agreements between the parties,

(C) the changes in circumstances of the parties,

(D) the owner's ability to pay,

(E) the best interests of baseball , and

(F) other factors considered by arbitration panels if applicable given the history of major league baseball and past collective bargaining between the parties.

The board shall render a decision on March 15, 1995, which shall be final, binding, and replace the basic agreement between the parties which expired on December 31, 1993.