I think we will (have a tougher new policy). I don't think it will take an extended period of time.

If over time the World Baseball Classic works the way we hope it will, I think the next time there is a discussion it will be the IOC asking us to come back.

We've had these discussions for sometime with the commissioner's office and I expect the conversations will continue next week.

Kirby played the game with such passion and enthusiasm that he was beloved by players and fans throughout all of baseball.

Over the last five or six years, there's a lot more day-to-day contact between our offices on a whole host of things. You develop better working relations as a result of doing that. You hope that that translates into something which makes bargaining a little easier. But that's something you wait to find out.

I've heard there are a lot of people that are optimistic that this is going to be a big change for the positive. And I certainly hope they're right.