Settlement Limits Baseball Contracts With Donation Requirement

Major League Baseball and the union representing its players have agreed to restrict contracts that demand that players donate to teams’ charities, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The pact settles a grievance filed by the union last year after Frank McCourt, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, said he would implement such a provision in all future contracts with players. The club’s deal with the slugging outfielder Manny Ramirez, signed in March, included a mandated $1-million donation to the Dodgers’ charitable foundation.

The settlement limits charity demands to negotiations related to free agency, in which players have an option to sign with another team.

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