A pretrial conference is set for Oct. 24 in Alex Rodriguez's federal lawsuit against Major League Baseball and Bud Selig.

The hearing will cover the procedures for the suit, which contends baseball went on a "witch hunt'' to force him from the sport.

The action comes during a grievance by the players' association to overturn a 211-game suspension given to Rodriguez by baseball on Aug. 5 for alleged violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract.