41.   Despite urgings from the players association and others to drop the case, Sprewell has given his lawyers the go-ahead to file yet another appeal.

42.   EXTRA BASES Pitcher Rick Reed of the New York Mets once again filed a formal petition to join the players association last week.

43.   Everybody is being rather polite about it while talks continue among the USOC, the National Hockey League and the players association.

44.   First, the players association told players not to sign contracts because the clubs had changed the contracts and working rules unilaterally.

45.   Fehr, the man most owners considered the immovable object in the players association, had budged.

46.   Gene Orza, associate general counsel of the players association, questioned the way Budig is conducting the matter.

47.   Gene Orza, associate general counsel of the players association, said Saturday the case of Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre is at least a month from being resolved.

48.   Given the recent league-imposed suspensions of Iverson and Isaiah Rider for criminal activities, the punitive measures drew the ire of the players association.

49.   Free agency is scheduled to begin in mid-February, but the league is negotiating with the players association to push it back to early March.

50.   Gene Orza, associate general counsel for the players association, will be at the meeting, as will a contingent of agents and lawyers for both sides.