NEW YORK - Talks for a baseball World Cup have become bogged down by drug testing rules.
Baseball's international governing body will not sanction a World Cup unless there is testing that meets Olympic guidelines, a decision that complicates plans to launch a tournament in March 2005.
Cuba would not participate in a tournament that is not approved by the International Baseball Federation, and the Japanese commissioner's office was noncommittal.
IBAF officials informed Major League Baseball of the stance during a meeting last month.
Talks between the commissioner's office and the players' association are ongoing. Rob Manfred, baseball's top labor lawyer, and Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official, declined comment.
The union generally has opposed IOC drug testing rules. The drug testing that began last year is more limited and the penalties for violations less severe.
"The IOC and its affiliates can and do ban whatever they feel like banning, because the athletes they exploit have no rights," Orza said last month after the announcement that Anaheim reliever Derrick Turnbow tested positive. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said the positive test resulted from a steroid, and Orza said it was from the over-the-counter supplement androstenedione.
Turnbow, who was tested during an Olympic training camp in October, faces a two-year ban from international competition. Andro, popularized by Mark McGwire during his chase of the home run record in 1998, may be used in the major leagues.
Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said in November that baseball hoped to start a tournament of eight to 16 national teams and to hold it in four to eight U.S. ballparks in March 2005. Because it would be an international event, the IBAF's participation is needed.
"We have no interest in doing a program without it being sanctioned," DuPuy said Tuesday.
DODGERS PURSUE MADDUX: The Dodgers have expressed interest in right-hander Greg Maddux, with pitching coach Jim Colborn speaking with the likely future Hall of Famer and manager Jim Tracy talking to his brother, Mike, the Associated Press reported.
Maddux, who turns 38 in April, has won 289 games and 15 or more in a record 16 consecutive seasons. He was 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA for the Braves last season, then became a free agent.
Tracy and Colborn made the calls at the behest of general manager Dan Evans to gauge Maddux's interest in pitching for the Dodgers.
Evans refused comment, citing his policy concerning potential personnel moves, and Tracy and Colborn could not be reached.
The Cubs made a two-year offer to Maddux last month and remain interested. General manager Jim Hendry said he hasn't given Maddux or agent Scott Boras a deadline and plans to speak with Boras this week.
HENSON MAKES IT OFFICIAL: Drew Henson's agent, Casey Close, told the Yankees the third baseman is quitting after three mediocre minor-league seasons. Henson will forfeit the $12-million he's owed.
"I am pleased to announce that I will be pursuing a career with the NFL," Henson said in a statement. "I have truly enjoyed playing professional baseball, but after a great deal of thought and discussions with the people closest to me, I have decided to make football my career."
The NFL's Houston Texans, who hold the quarterback's rights, announced Monday that Henson would work out with the team Feb. 12 in a showcase for the other 31 teams.
Meanwhile, the Yankees tried to plug their third-base hole by acquiring Mike Lamb from Texas for minor-league right-hander Jose Garcia, Baseball America reported. Lamb, a career .282 hitter with a .336 on-base percentage in 357 games, will try to replace Aaron Boone, likely out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
The Yankees also agreed to a minor-league contract with catcher Joe Girardi. If he doesn't make the team and retires, he has an invitation to work for the YES Network.
SASAKI PICKS TEAM: Former Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki rejoined the Yokohama BayStars after agreeing to a deal with the Central League team.
MARLINS: Outfielder Wil Cordero passed his physical and finalized a $600,000, one-year contract.
ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Former big-league closer Mitch Williams resigned as manager of the Atlantic City Surf. The former Phillies left-hander, known as "Wild Thing," left the Atlantic League team "to pursue other business opportunities," the Surf said.
