BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Angels Lay Off Three Because of Strike

The Angels have laid off three employees because of the baseball strike, the team said Friday.

The workers came from the media relations, ticketing and computer services departments.

“It’s hurting a lot of innocent people,” Angel spokesman Kraig Kojian said of the strike.

Meanwhile, five other teams cut staff as the baseball strike entered its second week, and the Kansas City Royals said they wouldn’t operate an instructional league team this fall because of the walkout.

The Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants announced layoffs or forced vacations.

The walkout completed its eighth day, with 17 more games canceled. It has wiped out 103 games, the second-most of any baseball work stoppage. In the 50-day strike of 1981, 712 games were lost.

Players, however, found new activities. In Culver City, a softball team led by Mike Piazza and Eric Karros of the Dodgers played against a national championship fast-pitch team of 9- and 10-year-old girls.

Some owners are convinced the season is over and the World Series won’t be played for the first time in 90 years. George W. Bush, a Texas Ranger managing general partner, was asked about the World Series by a youngster at an elementary school.

“I hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it (will be played),” Bush said. “It looks like it’s going to be . . . long, extended labor negotiations.”

In San Francisco, the Giants said 55 of their 153 full-time employees were put on vacation and were told layoffs are possible.

The St. Louis Cardinals laid off about 50 part-time and seasonal workers and interns.

The Montreal Expos and New York Yankees previously had cut staff.