BASEBALL : Claire Warns Dodgers Against Playing on Tour

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, has an answer for any of his players who are considering joining the union’s proposed barnstorming tour.

“If anyone calls and asks if he should do it, I would say, ‘No,’ ” Claire said. “If anyone calls and says he’s going to do it, I’d say, ‘You better check your contract.’ ”

The standard contract prohibits players from participating in activities not sanctioned by the club, and such a tour would not be sanctioned. If a player plays without permission, the club could terminate the player’s contract, as the Atlanta Braves did a year ago when Ron Gant was injured in a motorcycle accident.

“I would strongly advise against anyone even thinking about playing in something like that,” Claire said.