NEW YORK -- The baseball players' association decided against opening a spring training camp for free agents.
The union held a free-agent camp in 1995 in Homestead, Fla., following a 7½-month strike. Because of the slower pace of signings this year, the union considered the idea again.
Agents have complained that low offers by teams have delayed agreements. Teams say their is no collusion, that individual clubs are making decisions based on the recession.
"We don't think that it's essential to do that and we still remain hopeful that players will be signed," union head Donald Fehr said Wednesday. "We're still of the belief that all clubs understand and want to do their best to put the best possible and most competitive teams on the field."