European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 16, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 28 the stars and stripes sports monday. January 16,1995 japanese offer by Jeff Iworrigan scrupps Howard news service Japan which Calls sumo wrestling its National pastime soon May have a new big belly Behemoth to embrace. Burly left fielder Kevin Mitchell whose tenure with the Cincinnati reds appears to have come to an end due to financial restrictions is entertaining initial offers from a pair of japanese teams. It is believed that the Cibu Lions Are about to offer Mitchell More than $4 million per season for the next two years. According to agent Joe Sroba Mitchell is seriously considering heading to Japan where each team is permitted to sign up to three foreign players. Sroba would not identify which teams were interested in Mitchell. A the d be a fool not to be considering it Quot Sroba said. A we done to know what to expect from major league baseball at this Point and the people in Japan realize that this is a Golden Opportunity to give their people some of the Best baseball players in the  with japanese training Camps on the verge of opening Sroba expects to have three weeks maximum to work out a Deal for Mitchell. The japanese leagues have been on a mini spending Kevin Mitchell a fit spree signing Chicago White sox designated hitter Julio Franco $7 million two year Deal with manager Bobby Valentines Chiba Lotte marines and Minnesota twin outfielder Shane Mack $8 million two year Deal with the yom Turi giants to record setting contracts. A if Kevin went Over there head have to be the highest paid substitute series owners prepare for worst american player a Sroba said Mitchell batted .326 with 30 Home runs and 77 Bis last season. A Quot by Ronald Blum new York apr baseball owners said saturday they were prepared to play the 1995 world series with replacements and striking major leagues said they were considering a barnstorming City to City tour of Alt Star teams this Spring. A was difficult As it would be to conduct a world series with replacement players it would be something we would do Quot said Boston red sox chief executive officer John marring ton chairman of management s operations committee. Spring training is to Start feb. 16 with minor leagues and replacement players. On Friday baseball s ruling executive Council adopted rules for replacements most of whom will Cam $628.42 per Day during the season the new major league minimum under the system owners implemented dec. 23. A High Baltimore Oriole source speaking on the condition he not be identified said the team will refuse to play Spring training games with replacements. The Sou Tec said the orioles will bring their minor leagues to Camp next month for workouts and possibly a a a Quot games but the team will not play exhibition games in which admission is charged. That is expected to Lead to a fight Between the orioles and baseball officials. A we expect All of the clubs to meet their schedule obligations Quot american league president Gene Budig said saturday. Meanwhile a top baseball official said the Clinton administration is considering Bucom eng More involved in efforts to Settle the strike. Also players and owners said the settlement of the hockey lockout won t have any effect on the baseball strike now in its sixth month. Union head Donald Chr said there was a Good Chance that Congress will set n Date this week for new hearings into baseball s antitrust exemption. A everybody understands that they need to have something done soon to give it a shot to save Spring training Quot he said. Union officials without going into much detail talked about the travelling All Star ours during meetings with players and agents last week. By a a  by a Quot we be received at least two or three viable proposals Quot Union lawyer Lauren Rich said Sal urday. A there have been some very serious discussions that have progressed  a committee of players is studying the proposals along with Judy he ctr the unions director of licensing. Rich said the Union s executive Board will consider the proposals when it next meets probably the week of Jan. 30. The Board also will consider whether to ask former major leagues in triple a rosters not to play in replacement games. Barnstorming Tours by the Union would draw attention a and possibly attendance a away from replacement games. Union officials would t say where the games would be played but they might have to wage Legal fights to gain Access to municipal stadiums a Only 234 players currently on major league rosters arc signed for next season leaving about 835 unsigned players available for Alj Star games. In addition clubs would be unlikely to attempt to Terni Nate the contracts of their Star players who signed before implementation.f2"learn to snowboard weeks Quot at arc Garmisch Jan. 29-F�b. 4 feb. 5-11 mar. 5-11 mar. 12-19-apr. 2-9 add a new dimension to your skiing a enjoy the exciting world of Quot snowboarding a a a for Only $189 adults $159 youth 1 your arc snowboard package includes instruction b $ snowboard and boots $ clothing bib overalls and jacket $ lift passes for appropriate ski slope $ local transportation to and from slopes minimum numbers must be met in order to hold class. For information on snowboard weeks Call 4402-644, Civ. 08821-750644 for reservations 4402-575, Civ 08821-79081, fax 08821-74216afrc Berchtesgaden ski lessons a Rooming a take advantage of this limited special offer from arc Berchtesgaden. It includes. Q 6 overnights room without Bath a use of ski equipment and clothing boots skis poles ski pants jacket. 5a 5 Days ski instruction i t a lift pass for appropriate ski slope a transportation to and from slopes. $199 per person based on double occupancy $269 value $259 single occupancy $359 value rooms amp learn to ski week last Chance 29 Jan j i for reservations Call i Dan 4415-623/823, Civ. 08652-61057. I a fax _08�2-62768