Olympic Schedule Might Be Changed to Help Johnson

There is a good chance that world track officials will alter the Olympic timetable to allow U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson to attempt a 200-400 double at next year’s Atlanta Games, an IAAF spokesman said Monday.

Johnson, who won both events at the world championships in Sweden in August, met this weekend with IAAF President Primo Nebiolo in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to press his request for a change in the Atlanta schedule.

“I feel there is some agreement,” IAAF spokesman Giorgio Reineri said. “I think Nebiolo understood the needs of Michael Johnson, and if it will be possible, he will do all that is needed to give him the opportunity to double.”

Baseball

A full share on the World Series champion Atlanta Braves was worth $206,635.01, 62% higher than the previous record of $127,920.77 on the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

The Dodgers received $13,904.21 per player for losing in the first round.

Craig Biggio has received offers from four teams and is close to a decision. Colorado, St. Louis and San Diego are seeking the free-agent second baseman, as is Houston. . . . Outfielder Mickey Tettleton signed a a $5-million, two-year contract with the Texas Rangers and outfielder Darren Lewis rejected the waiver claim by the Rangers and became a free agent. . . . Pitcher Rick Aguilera signed a $9-million, three-year contract with the Minnesota Twins. . . . Rene Arocha was designated for assignment by the St. Louis Cardinals to make room for pitcher Jeff Parrett on the 40-man roster. . . . Righthander Alejandro Pena agreed to a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins. . . . The New York Yankees signed second baseman Mariano Duncan to a two-year contract worth just under $1.5 million. . . . Outfielder Glenallen Hill and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year contract.

After a six-year absence, Harold Baines came back to the Chicago White Sox, agreeing to a one-year contract. Baines, who played last season with the Baltimore Orioles, played with the White Sox from 1980-89. . . . Former Angel pitcher Mike Butcher, who was released in September after going 6-1 with a 4.73 earned-run average, signed with the Seattle Mariners as a possible fifth starter or right-handed set-up man.

College Basketball

The Kansas Jayhawks (5-0) remained the runaway choice of a national media panel as the top-ranked college basketball team.

The Jayhawks received 55 first-place votes and 1,637 votes to easily outdistance Villanova (7-0), which held second with three No. 1 votes and 1,545 points.

UCLA re-entered the poll at No. 24.

The top returning scorer in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Florida State’s James Collins, was arrested in Tallahassee, Fla., on a misdemeanor charge of stalking a former girlfriend, Lamesia Snead, and faces a Jan. 2 court hearing.

Miscellany

Fred Comrie, owner of the International Hockey League’s Los Angeles Ice Dogs, confirmed that he is close to finalizing the sale of the team a “local investor.” Sources said that the deal could be finished as early as today and that Comrie will be bought out completely. . . . Fred vonAppen, defensive line coach at Colorado, reportedly will be named head football coach at the University of Hawaii. . . . Dan Allen, Boston University football coach, has quit to become coach at Holy Cross. . . . Arizona defensive end Tedy Bruschi and UCLA offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden were named winners of the Pacific-10 Conference’s annual Morris Trophy. . . . Funeral services for former Notre Dame running back Gerry Cowhig will be held today at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Van Nuys. . . .

Luisito Espinosa of the Philippines won the World Boxing Council’s featherweight title from Manuel Medina of Mexico with a 12-round unanimous decision in Tokyo. . . . The United States became an overwhelming favorite to be host for the 1999 Women’s World Soccer Championship after Australia and Chile withdrew bids. Barney Ewell, who won a gold and two silver medals in the 1948 Olympic Games in London, underwent surgery in Lancaster, Pa., to amputate his left leg because of circulation problems.