Baseball Owners Expected To Ratify Interleague Plan

If everything goes according to plan, the New York Mets will play the Yankees during the 1997 season, the Cubs will face the White Sox, the Dodgers will meet the Angels and the Giants will play the Athletics.

Interleague play was unanimously approved by baseball’s ruling executive council during a meeting in Los Angeles that ended late Tuesday night, and owners appear certain to adopt it when they vote today. It needs 21 of 28 votes and could be approved unanimously.

“Interleague play, which has long been a dream of mine, is one step closer to fruition,” acting commissioner Bud Selig said. “The overwhelming percentage of fans have wanted interleague play.”

The plan, which calls for 15-16 interleague games for each team, also must be approved by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Owners are also expected to approve the proposed sale of controlling interest in the California Angels to The Walt Disney Co.

Baseball owners put off a vote on the proposed sale of the Pittsburgh Pirates but said they hoped approval of the sale could come soon.