BASEBALL : Brewers Offer More Meal Money as Incentive

The Milwaukee Brewers became the latest team to offer their minor leaguers an incentive for playing in spring training games--more meal money.

Milwaukee general manager Sal Bando promised minor leaguers who played in exhibition games that they would get about $100 a day in meal money instead of the $11 a day they get at the minor league complex.

The San Francisco Giants polled their players, forcing some to declare for the first time whether they will meet the union’s call to boycott or satisfy management by playing. Kansas City told its minor leaguers they would be considered striking players if they refused to play and would be sent home. Pittsburgh General Manager Cam Bonifay said the team’s minor leaguers must give him their decisions by today.

The Colorado Rockies have offered $150 per game for minor leaguers who play, while the Dodgers have said minor leaguers who take part in exhibition games will have a job in the system for the whole season.