Both Sides Reach Stalemate Once Again

Baseball’s now-you-see-them, now-your-don’t labor negotiations seem to have disappeared again.

Sources who had been optimistic about an agreement this week remained optimistic Tuesday but said a settlement now is unlikely until after the Labor Day weekend. There were no talks Tuesday and none are scheduled.

The new speculation is that acting Commissioner Bud Selig will finally permit management negotiator Randy Levine to seek resolution of the remaining differences after the holiday, with owners voting on ratification at their fall meeting in Seattle Sept. 10-12.

Union leader Donald Fehr, who leaves New York today to update clubs in Toronto, Montreal and Pittsburgh, said he has no choice but to allow Selig and Levine to continue to work with their constituents.

Is he frustrated by the delays?

“The situation calls for calm and patience,” Fehr said.