Feb. 15 Lockout Set, but Owners Hint Softening : Baseball: Talks resume Monday with possibility that management offer would be modified to remove “performance” aspect of plan for younger players.

CHICAGO — Baseball’s owners reaffirmed Friday that a lockout of spring training camps will begin Feb. 15, unless the Major League Players Assn. agrees to the concept of revenue sharing.

However, in a news conference after the owners meeting, there seemed to be a dedicated attempt to avoid using the word lockout, a softening of both position and rhetoric, and the hint that key elements in the revenue-sharing proposal will be withdrawn or changed when collective-bargaining negotiations resume Monday in New York.

The owners’ meeting had been portrayed by Charles O’Connor, general counsel of the owners’ Player Relations Committee, as a deadline for deciding if there was enough time to open the camps by Feb. 15. But indicative of the conciliatory tone Friday was optimism expressed by O’Connor and others that a settlement by Monday or Tuesday would permit an opening as scheduled.

Bud Selig, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and chairman of the PRC, said in the news conference that he felt clubs would be in position to open spring training within four or five days of an agreement.

Barring major changes in the revenue-sharing proposal, a Monday or Tuesday resolution seems doubtful. The union has said that the proposal is designed strictly to lower salaries and eliminate the free-agent market.

Asked Friday if there will be changes in the proposal Monday, O’Connor said his staff will talk over the weekend and try to take new ideas to the table. He alluded to discussions in the owners’ meeting and said:

“It’s impossible to come to a meeting of this type and not have been educated. You’re bound to take some of that education back to the talks. Whether that’s reflected (in a change) on page one of the proposal or page two, I don’t know.

“Monday, we’ll discuss where we are. If the opportunity presents itself, there could be a change in rhetoric, a change in discussion, a change in the proposal. I don’t know if it will happen Monday, but it will happen at some point.”

It was speculated Friday that the pay-for-performance aspect, criticized by both owners and players, is almost certain to be withdrawn. That provision calls for salaries of players with zero to six years of major league service to be determined by a two-year statistical table that fails to account for defense, character and intangible contributions. It would also eliminate arbitration and both guaranteed and multiyear contracts for players in that category.

The PRC has consistently said that pay for performance was only a suggested means of allocation.

O’Connor reiterated Friday that the key component for the clubs is knowing how much revenue to budget for salaries. Cost certainty, he calls it. The proposal calls for 48% of the clubs’ gate and national TV income to go toward salaries. Even if that was raised to the 53% of total revenue that players in the NBA receive, there is some question if the union will accept revenue sharing, with its inherent restrictions on free agency and arbitration.

Don Fehr, the union’s executive director, has cited current prosperity and said the PRC has been unable or unwilling to demonstrate a current or future need for revenue sharing.

“We’ve never premised this proposition on making every club profitable,” O’Connor said Friday. “The industry is obviously healthy. Profitability is not our goal, nor are we debating large and small markets.

“When you look at the history of the last 10 years, what we’re trying to resolve is the question of what percentage of revenues are the players entitled to. We’re not tied to any one part or detail of it, but we think that revenue sharing is the best way to put stability in the relationship.”

None of the spokesmen were willing to say how long the owners would pursue revenue sharing if the union continued to resist. Asked about the scheduled opening of the season on April 2, Commissioner Fay Vincent said a group of general managers was studying the question of how much spring training would be necessary to maintain that date.

“My own guess is roughly three weeks,” Vincent said, meaning he could go to mid-March before jeopardizing the start of the season.

Questioned about the public reaction to a spring lockout, Vincent said, “the public is as eager to have baseball as we are and the players are. This will not be something to celebrate. There are significant negative consequences. But I also don’t think the public cares about strategy. I think the public wants baseball in accord with the baseball schedule.”

It is believed, in that regard, that Vincent ultimately will order the camps opened to preserve the start of the season. He reiterated, however, that he is not inclined to issue such an order while the parties are still at the table.

“I’m trying to find ways to be relevant and helpful, but I believe in the process,” he said.

Vincent brought union and management representatives together three times last week, and his behind-the-scenes involvement, sources said, contributed to the conciliatory tone Friday.

Although there had been media speculation that several clubs oppose a lockout, Selig insisted that Friday’s meeting, which lasted only two hours, was “non-confrontational in every sense.”

Reading from a statement at the news conference, Selig said changes in strategy and bargaining position were not requested or made during the meeting, and that the ownership remained entirely supportive of the negotiating team.

Selig said there was no need for a vote since ownership had passed resolutions in July and December in support of PRC strategy, including a lockout.

He said the Feb. 15 deadline put pressure on both sides, but “we’re not in a position yet where we have to sit and wonder how many days of spring training are we going to have. The camps will not open on Feb. 15 if we don’t have an agreement, but there’s time to reach that agreement. We’re going back to the table Monday and we’ll be there every day.”

Technically, players are not required to be in spring training until Feb. 28. Players who report earlier do so on a voluntary basis. O’Connor said that given the time structure, he was hesitant to call it a lockout until late March or a date when the regular season was actually affected.

He said that major league managers and coaches would not be permitted to join minor league workouts, but that injured players receiving treatment could continue to receive it at their home or spring training stadium. He said no decision had been reached as to the possibility of playing the exhibition schedule with minor leaguers.

Most owners left for the airport while the news conference was in progress or later refused comment, saying members of the PRC would talk for them.

Said Marge Schott, owner of the Cincinnati Reds:

“There’s still time for the camps to open, but if there’s no agreement, we’ll support the PRC. I’m sure they’ll work out something that’s best for baseball. We all care what the fans think, myself in particular.”

Fehr, meeting with players in Phoenix, said a Feb. 15 shutdown represented a lockout no matter what O’Connor or anyone else called it, and he reiterated that the absence of genuine bargaining by management is likely to result in a legal action by the union.

Of the fans, he said, “I think it’s going to be hard for an industry that just signed a $1.5-billion television contract to generate any sympathy.”

LOCKOUT ISSUES

WHAT OWNERS WANT

-Revenue sharing. Players would be guaranteed 48% of the money from ticket sales and broadcast contracts.

-Pay-for-performance. Players with fewer than six years of major league service would be paid on one-year, nonguaranteed contracts according to statistical formulas. Each team would pay 1/26th of the total for these players.

-Participation level. Teams going above predetermined payroll levels could not sign free agents from other clubs.

WHAT PLAYERS WANT

-Salary arbitration. Eligibility restored to players with between two and three years of service.

-Rosters. Restored to 25 players.

-Minimum salary. A raise from $68,000 to between $100,000 and $125,000.

-Free agency. Players removed from 40-man roster and sent to minors on outright assignments would become free agents. Draft pick compensation for free agents would be eliminated.

-Collusion. Automatic penalties for collusion.

-Benefits. An increase tied to the new television contracts.

WHO BENEFITS FROM EXHIBITION GAMES?

A LOOK AT WHOSE INCOME IS IN JEOPARDY

THE CACTUS LEAGUE ANGELS

FACILITY: Mesa, Gene Autry Park: Owned/operated City of Mesa. Training facility only.

SEATS: No Games

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 30-year lease. Two 10-year options. One 5-year option. Expires 1995. ANGELS

FACILITY: Palm Springs, Angel Stadium. Owned/operated Palm Springs.

SEATS: 6,100

TICKETS: Angels 60%. Visitors 40%.

PARKING: Charity 100%

CONCESSIONS: Angels 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 10-year lease. 5 year option. Current option expired 1989. ATHLETICS

FACILITY: Phoenix, Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Owned/operated City of Phoenix.

SEATS: 8,500

TICKETS: Athletics 50%. Visitors 50%.

PARKING: Athletics 100%.

CONCESSIONS: Athletics 100%.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 3-year lease. Expires 1991. BREWERS

FACILITY: Chandler, Compadre Stadium. Owned/operated City of Phoenix

SEATS: 4,943, +5000 (lawn)

TICKETS: Brewers 40%. Visitors 40%. Compadres 20%.

PARKING: Compadres 100%.

CONCESSIONS: Boys Club 65%. Compadres 17.5%. Brewers 17.5%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 10-year lease. Expires 1996. CUBS

FACILITY: Mesa, HoHoKam Park. Owned by City of Mesa. Operated by HoHoKams

SEATS: 9,000

TICKETS: Cubs 45%. Visitors 40%. HoHoKams 15%.

PARKING: HoHoKams 100%

CONCESSIONS: HoHoKams share with Cubs.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 5-Year renewable lease. GIANTS

FACILITY: Scottsdale, Scottsdale Stadium. Owned by City of Scottsdale. Operated by boosters Charros.

SEATS: 4,721

TICKETS: Giants 40%. Visitors 40%. Charros 20%

PARKING: Scottsdale Memorial Hospital 100%

CONCESSIONS: Boys Club/Charros 100%.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 5-year lease. Lease expires 1991. INDIANS

FACILITY: Tucson, Hi Corbett Field. Owned/operated City of Tucson

SEATS: 10,000

TICKETS: Indians 40%. Visitors 40%. City 20%

PARKING: No Charge

CONCESSIONS: City 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 1-year renewable lease. Expires 1992. MARINERS

FACILITY: Tempe, Tempe Diablo Stadium. Owned/operated City of Tempe.

SEATS: 5,400

TICKETS: Mariners 60%. Visitors 40%.

PARKING: City shares with Diablos 100%

CONCESSIONS: Boys Club 70%. Diablos 30%.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 5-year lease. 5-year option. Current option expires 1990. PADRES

FACILITY: Yuma, Desert Sun Stadium. Owned by City of Yuma. Operated by boosters Caballeros.

SEATS: 6,874

TICKETS: Padres 40%. Visitors 40%. Caballeros 20%

PARKING: Caballeros 100%

CONCESSIONS: Caballeros 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 5-year lease. 5-year option. Current option expires 1991.

Source: Arizona Office of Tourism.

THE GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE ASTROS

FACILITY: Kissimmee, Osceola County Stadium. Owned by Osceola County

SEATS: 5,000

TICKETS: Astros 40%. Visitors 40%. County 20%.

PARKING: County 100%

CONCESSIONS: N/A

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Lease expires 1995. Two 5-year options. BLUE JAYS

FACILITY: Dunedin, Grant Field. Owned by Dunedin

SEATS: 6,213

TICKETS: Blue Jays 40%. Visitors 40%. City 20%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: City 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 130-game lease BRAVES

FACILITY: West Palm Beach. Municipal Stadium. Owned/operated W. Palm Beach

SEATS: 7,202

TICKETS: Braves 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: City 40%. Vendor 60%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Lease expires in 1995. CARDINALS

FACILITY: St. Petersburg, Al Lang Stadium. Owned by St. Petersburg

SEATS: 7,193

TICKETS: Cardinals 45%. Visitors 45%. City 10%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: ClassA Team 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 7-year lease. 5-year extension. DODGERS

FACILITY: Vero Beach, Holman Stadium. Owned/operated by Dodgers

SEATS: 6,500

TICKETS: Dodgers 100%

PARKING: Free

CONCESSIONS: N/A

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Owned by Dodgers. EXPOS

FACILITY: West Palm Beach, Municipal Stadium. Owned/operated W. Palm Beach

SEATS: 7,500

TICKETS: Expos 50%. Visitors 50%. Expos take 100% against Dodgers.

PARKING: Free but subsidized by team.

CONCESSIONS: City 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 7-year lease. METS

FACILITY: Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County Stadium. Owned by St. Lucie County

SEATS: 7,347

TICKETS: Mets 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: Mets 50%. County 50%

CONCESSIONS: Mets 50%. County 50%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Signed 15-year lease in ’88 ORIOLES

FACILITY: Miami, Miami Stadium. Owned/operated by Miami

SEATS: 9,548

TICKETS: Orioles 100%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: Orioles 25%. City 37.5%. Vendor 37.5%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Last year of lease. 1-year option PHILLIES

FACILITY: Clearwater, Jack Russell Stadium. Owned/operated Clearwater

SEATS: 7,100

TICKETS: Phillies 45%. Visitors 45%. City 10%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: Phillies 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Lease expires 2002 PIRATES

FACILITY: Bradenton, McKechnie Field. Owned/operated by Bradenton

SEATS: 5,000

TICKETS: Pirates 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: Privately owned

CONCESSIONS: Vendor 100%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 40-year lease. Expires 2008 RANGERS

FACILITY: Port Charlotte, Charlotte County Stadium. Owned by Charlotte County

SEATS: 6,026

TICKETS: Rangers 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: Rangers 100%

CONCESSIONS: Rangers 38%. Vendor 62%.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 10-year lease. Expires in 1997 RED SOX

FACILITY: Winter Haven, Chain O’ Lakes Park. Owned/operated by Winter Haven

SEATS: 4,502

TICKETS: Red Sox 45%. Visitors 45%. City 10%

PARKING: City 25%. Red Sox 75%

CONCESSIONS: City 25%. Red Sox 75%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: One-year extension REDS

FACILITY: Plant City, Plant City Stadium. Owned/operated by Plant City

SEATS: 6,710

TICKETS: Reds 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: Reds 50%. City 50%

CONCESSIONS: Reds 50%. City 50%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 10-Year Contract. Two 5-Year Options ROYALS

FACILITY: Baseball City, Baseball City Stadium. Owned by Anheuser Busch

SEATS: 7,000

TICKETS: Busch gets fee, remainder split between Royals, visitors.

PARKING: Free

CONCESSIONS: Anheuser Busch contracts out.

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Expires in 2003. TIGERS

FACILITY: Lakeland, Joker Marchant Stadium. Owned/operated by Lakeland.

SEATS: 7,027

TICKETS: Tigers 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: Minor Lg. 50%. City 50%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Lease through 2015 TWINS

FACILITY: Orlando, Tinker Field. Owned/operated by Orlando

SEATS: 5,500

TICKETS: Twins 50%. Visitors 50%

PARKING: City 100%

CONCESSIONS: Twins 35%. City 65%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Last year of contract. Moving to Ft. Meyers. WHITE SOX

FACILITY: Sarasota, Ed Smith Stadium. Owned/operated by Sarasota

SEATS: 7,500

TICKETS: City 20%. White Sox 40%. Visitors 40%

PARKING: City 33 1/3%. White Sox 33 1/3%. Spts. Council 33 1/3%

CONCESSIONS: City 30%. Vendors 70%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: 20-year lease. 20-year option YANKEES

FACILITY: Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Lauderdale Stadium. Owned by Ft. Lauderdale

SEATS: 8,740

TICKETS: Yankees 45%. Visitors 40%. City 15%

PARKING: Yankees 100%

CONCESSIONS: Yankees 15.25%. City 15.25%. Vendor 69.5%

LEASE ARRANGEMENT: Last year 2-year lease. New lease next month. Research: Ian Jaquiss / Los Angeles Times