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Union Comes Out Against Arizona Law

Apr 30, 2010 4:31 PM EST

Union executive director Michael Weiner issued a statement denouncing Arizona's new immigration law, which has sparked widespread protests over the last few days -- including one outside Wrigley Field Thursday as the Diamondbacks played the Cubs. The meat of the statement, which Weiner said reflects the "institutional position" of the union and was arrived at after consultation with the members, reads as follows:

The Major League Baseball Players Association opposes this law as written. We hope that the law is repealed or modified promptly. If the current law goes into effect, the MLBPA will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.

While the Diamondbacks have said they will not take a stand as an organization on the issue, Weiner's statement makes the union's displeasure with Senate Bill 1070 abundantly clear. Not that the "additional steps" the union would take in response are clear, but missives like this are best kept a bit vague.

Via Fanhouse

Arizona Diamondbacks, General

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Percentage Of Black Players Drops Again

Apr 29, 2010 4:34 PM EST

According to a study, the percentage of black players in the major leagues decreased again last year.

In contract, Major League Baseball equaled its best grades for racial and gender diversity hiring.

MLB received an A for race and a B for gender hiring in the annual study released Thursday by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports.

The number of black players dropped from 10.2 percent to 9 percent last season.

Baseball hit a low point in 2007 when just 8.2 percent of players were black.

"I think it's a reflection now of the long-standing fact that African-American youths are playing basketball and football more than baseball," Institute director Richard Lapchick said. "It's ironic only because the role of people of color running baseball is dramatically increasing."

Via ESPN

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Changes In Place For All-Star Game

Apr 28, 2010 5:44 PM EST

The All-Star Game will now have a designated hitter regardless of which league is hosting the contest.

Major League Baseball has announced four changes to the Midsummer Classic.

Other changes include a restriction on pitchers who have pitched the Sunday before the game, a one-man increase in the number of position players elected and a unique re-entry rule.

The new rules will take effect for this summer's All-Star Game, hosted by the Angels.

In addition to the existing injured catcher rule, the manager is now allowed to select one position player to re-enter a game in the event that the last available position player at any position is injured.

Via ESPN

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