Rose Lawyers Try to Block Hearing

Pete Rose’s lawyers appealed a judge’s decision to keep his suit against baseball in federal court, a move that could block a disciplinary hearing next week on baseball-betting charges.

Tuesday’s appeal asks that Rose’s suit against baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti be sent back to state court, where the Cincinnati Reds’ manager has already received one favorable ruling.

Giamatti has scheduled a hearing next Thursday on charges that Rose bet on baseball, including the Reds. But if the 6th U.S. Circuit Court upholds Rose’s appeal, the hearing will be postponed.

Lawyers for both sides asked the appellate court to speed its handling of Rose’s appeal. The court did not immediately act on the request.

In Columbus last week, U.S. District Judge John Holschuh decided that he would hear Rose’s suit.

A court order protecting Rose from disciplinary action by baseball expires Aug. 14, three days before Giamatti’s scheduled hearing. Unless the appellate court intervenes, Holschuh will hold a hearing Aug. 14 on whether to extend Rose’s protection.

Rose could be permanently banned from baseball if Giamatti concludes that he bet on Reds’ games. Rose could be suspended for a year if the commissioner concludes that he bet on baseball, but not the Reds.