All-Stars Won’t Get Rained On

MINNEAPOLIS — Safe from rain but not the assorted treacheries of the Metrodome, the American and National Leagues meet Tuesday night in the 56th All-Star Game with baseball’s labor dispute an unpleasant sidelight.

The game marks a chance for the fans, who have selected the starting lineups, to decide for themselves whether the Metrodome is a “Little League” facility.

Visitors to the indoor stadium have ripped playing conditions in the Metrodome this season, saying that a showcase situation will expose all the flaws. Pop flies have been known to disappear in the lights and a bloop single can quickly bounce into a triple. If these factors don’t produce chaos, then labor trouble might.

The player representatives are meeting Monday in Chicago and may set a strike deadline in their contract dispute with owners. After some ominous rumblings, the players now appear disinclined to boycott the All-Star Game. A strike deadline, nevertheless, would hardly enhance the mood for a mid-season party.

Leading the National League are third baseman Graig Nettles, first baseman Steve Garvey and outfielder Tony Gwynn of the 1984 pennant-winning San Diego Padres. St. Louis sends its keystone combination of shortstop Ozzie Smith and second baseman Tom Herr.