71.   League officials met Tuesday with Billy Hunter, the executive director of the players association, and other union leaders.

72.   Luckily for him and the owners, Donald Fehr and the players association have refused to take cheap shots.

73.   Meanwhile, lawyers for the players association continue to research the viability of appealing the five-game suspensions of Gary Sheffield, Carlos Perez and F.P. Santangelo.

74.   Melvin said Hendricks spoke to a lawyer from the players association who indicated that there would be no problems.

75.   McMorris has negotiated many contracts with the Teamsters union in private business, but none that has been as formidable or challenging as dealing with the players association.

76.   Most players feel there will be no winners at all until the club owners and players association reach an agreement.

77.   More fears arose last Monday when the players association lost a decision in which an arbitrator ruled that owners could continue withholding pay from players during the management lockout.

78.   NCAA suspensions of big-time college basketball players over violations of amateurism rules is roiling the basketball world, angering coaches and even helping create a new players association.

79.   Now the players association gets to take its shot.

80.   Officials from the players association continue to speak with Santangelo and Perez about dropping their appeals.