White, Umpires Reach Settlement

National League President Bill White and the umpires settled their dispute Tuesday with help from Commissioner Fay Vincent, agreeing to set a policy for breaking up fights that will not single out umpire Joe West.

“I’m happy it’s resolved and that we can get on to other things,” Vincent said after meeting in New York with White and the umpires’ union chief, Richie Phillips.

“We’re pleased with today’s resolution,” Phillips said. “Joe West will be treated like all umpires.”

White had threatened to resign unless Vincent backed his authority.

The problem began last month when West physically threw Philadelphia Phillie pitcher Dennis Cook to the ground during a fight with the New York Mets, and later ejected Von Hayes during a game against the Dodgers.

White, West and Phillips met soon after, but emerged with differing accounts of what was said. White said he told West that he alone should not touch players while stopping fights, and that West did not handle the Hayes’ ejection properly.

West and Phillips contended that White told West that the ejection was handled correctly.

In a statement Tuesday, Vincent said, “Any further discussions that are appropriate or necessary to reflect judgment by President White on the conduct of umpire Joe West or any other umpire will be conducted privately.”

Vincent said he would like to set a policy for umpires soon.

At least 10 cities submitted bids for the National League’s two new expansion teams before Tuesday’s deadline, as well as a unique proposal for a franchise that would play in four cities.

Eighteen groups said they gave the NL plans along with $100,000 application fees, including three groups each from Miami and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Denver, Phoenix and Washington submitted two bids each. Also handing in proposals were Buffalo, N.Y.; Charlotte, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla., and Sacramento.

The most unusual plan was submitted by Malcolm I. Glazer, president and chief executive officer of First Allied Corporation. His proposal calls for his club to play at least 19 games in each of four cities, picked from among Buffalo, Denver, Miami, St. Petersburg and Washington. The bid assumes one of those cities will get a team of its own and not be part of his plan.