Crew Chief Promotions Bypass Vets

In a sharp break with tradition, the National League passed over Eric Gregg and three other senior umpires for promotion in hiring crew chiefs for this season, The Associated Press has learned.

The N.L. needed to fill three new slots and skipped Gregg, Joe West, Charlie Williams and Bob Davidson. Instead, it chose Jerry Crawford, Randy Marsh and Steve Rippley.

While seniority is not the only factor, it has long been the most important one in determining a crew chief. The seven crew chiefs in the N.L. last season were the same seven umpires who had worked in the league the longest.

But N.L. president Len Coleman, a strong proponent of a merit system for umpires since taking office in 1994, parted with that practice in this round of promotions.

By not taking Gregg or Williams, Coleman passed up a chance to hire the first black crew chief in the major leagues at a time when baseball is pushing for the promotion of minorities.

Coleman, who is black, said he was not worried about a backlash.

Mariners shrink squad

The Seattle Mariners sent seven players to their minor-league camp, cutting the number of players in the big-league clubhouse from 58 to 51.

Pitchers Ivan Montane and Cam Smith were assigned to Tacoma. Pitchers Ryan Anderson, Gil Meche and Doug Mlicki and catchers Carlos Maldonado and Ken Huckaby were sent to the minor-league camp and will be assigned later.

Ducey’s homer wins for M’s

Rob Ducey’s two-out homer in the 10th inning lifted the Seattle Mariners over the Anaheim Angels 9-7 Wednesday at Peoria, Ariz.

Dan Rohrmeier drew a two-out walk off losing pitcher Mike Bovee before Ducey hit the game-winner to right field.

On other fields

Ed Giovanola hit a three-run homer and an RBI double as the San Diego Padres remained undefeated with a 16-7 rout of the San Francisco Giants.

John Jaha had three hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs as the Milwaukee Brewers got their first spring training victory in seven tries, a 6-1 decision over the Oakland Athletics.

Rookie Desi Relaford, expected to be Philadelphia’s starting shortstop, had three hits and scored three runs, but three Pittsburgh Pirates errors helped the Phillies score seven first-inning runs in a 13-2 victory.

Notes One day after a Dedham, Mass., jury spoke in his favor on charges of drunken driving, Mo Vaughn joined the Boston Red Sox in Florida, wearing a red T-shirt with the words, “Shut Up and Play.” … Kim Ng, director of waivers and records for the American League, was hired as assistant general manager of the New York Yankees, becoming the second female assistant GM in the major leagues… . The Atlanta Braves extended the contract of general manager John Schuerholz for four years, through 2003.