BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS

Selig said the 1996 season will open on March 31 and probably end around Sept. 30, so baseball can start the playoffs earlier.

He said owners would discuss the possibility of extending the first-round division series from five to seven games, but that would probably require the reduction of the regular season from 162 to 154 games.

Selig is trying to arrange a November owners’ meeting, which would probably be held in Phoenix in the middle of the month, but he said he “would tend to doubt” the Walt Disney Co.’s purchase of a minority share of the Angels would be ready for a vote at that time.

*

News that the Busch family plans to sell the St. Louis Cardinals was disturbing to baseball’s insiders.

“It is symbolic of the very troubled times for baseball,” Dodger owner Peter O’Malley said. “Fortunately, the game on the field is very good, but off the field we want to establish a partnership with the players, resolve our revenue problems, and elect a dynamic full-time outside independent commissioner soon.”

Said Philadelphia Phillie owner Bill Giles: “It’s not good that so many teams are up for sale--Houston, St. Louis, Pittsburgh. We’re going through some hard times now. The game is still great, but the business part of it is not every good.”