Union Tries to Touch All Bases in Investigation of Incident

Preparing to help the Dodgers, the Major League Baseball Players Assn. interviewed players and coaches involved in the ninth-inning altercation with fans Tuesday in the Wrigley Field stands that resulted in three arrests after the team’s 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

The Dodgers gave statements Friday at Pro Player Stadium about the melee allegedly ignited when a fan seated behind the visitors’ bullpen struck backup catcher Chad Kreuter on his head and took his cap.

The commissioner’s office began its investigation Wednesday, focusing on the Dodgers’ conduct and security at Wrigley Field.

The Dodgers are expected to be hit with fines and suspensions, and the club fears fans will file lawsuits. It appears the investigation will be completed next week.

The union is readying to file appeals on behalf of players, and assist with legal problems stemming from the incident.

Phil Bradley, special assistant to the union director, and Robert Lenaghan, assistant legal counsel, conducted the interviews.

“We’re just getting everyone’s account of what happened while it’s still fresh in their minds,” Bradley said. “I think we got a hold of everyone we needed to, and everyone was more than cooperative, but it’s really a wait-and-see situation now.

“We have to see what the powers that be will do before we determine how to proceed. It’s all based on what happens in that process. We might take one approach if we’re only dealing with disciplinary action, and another if we’re dealing with civil lawsuits. There’s still a lot to be determined.”

Bradley is aware of baseball’s concern about the Dodgers entering the stands, but he said there also are troubling issues from the players’ perspective.

“We’re starting to discover more security situations that must be examined because they keep popping up over and over,” he said. “It’s not just in Chicago, but all over baseball and sports. The ticket entitles fans to so many rights when they come to a game, but there is a line.

“When fans cross that line, they need to be held accountable, and it was really crossed this time. The players are accessible to fans, and fans like the players accessible to them. But the players have to feel safe in the presence of the fans.”

*

The Dodgers, seeking another left-hander for the bullpen, claimed Trever Miller off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. Miller, 26, had a 8.36 earned-run average without a decision in 14 games for the Phillies. . . . Shortstop Kevin Elster said he will be activated from the disabled list Sunday.

Tonight

DODGERS’

CARLOS PEREZ

(3-2, 5.93 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

BRAD PENNY

(3-5, 4.99 ERA)

Pro Player Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT.

TV--Channel 5. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Perez faces another test to determine his future in the rotation. The left-hander has struggled against the Marlins in his career, going 2-5 with a 4.95 earned-run average.