Enquirer news services

NEW YORK - Players on teams that advance to the final stages of the first baseball World Cup would not be with their major-league teams for most of spring training next year.

Under the proposal being formulated by the commissioner's office, the 16-nation tournament would start on March 4 in Asia and begin in the United States and Puerto Rico on March 9, several baseball officials told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

There would be four groups of four nations in the first round, and the top two teams in each group would advance, according to documents distributed to team officials last week.

In the second round, there would be two groups of four teams, with the top two in each moving on to the semifinals. The semifinals and the final would be one-game knockouts, with the championship game played on approximately March 21 in the western part of the United States.

Pitchers and catchers usually report for spring training in mid-February and games usually start at the beginning of March.

The plan probably will be put to owners for a vote within a month. Deals for the tournament still need to be finalized with the International Baseball Federation and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

"We are encouraged by the progress that has been made," said Bob DuPuy, chief operating officer in the commissioner's office, "and we remain guardedly optimistic that we can get this done for next spring."

VIRGINIA IS FOR BASEBALL: Northern Virginia baseball backers announced plans Monday for a $442 million, 42,500-seat ballpark for the Montreal Expos near Dulles International Airport, a proposal they hope will persuade owners to move the team there.

Northern Virginia and downtown Washington, D.C., appear to be the leading candidates to get the Expos, who were bought by the other 29 teams before the 2002 season. Other bidders include Las Vegas; Monterrey, Mexico; Norfolk; Portland, Ore.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Baseball officials hope to make a decision by mid-July.

PHILLIES: Right-hander Vicente Padilla will be sidelined indefinitely with biceps tendinitis and elbow inflammation in his pitching arm.

Team officials said Monday that Padilla will have an MRI today and a bone scan Wednesday.

The former All-Star, on the disabled list since May 29, left in the second inning of a rehab start Sunday night for Triple-A Scranton/

Wilkes-Barre. He's 4-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 10 starts this season.

The Phillies are also without another starter, left-hander Randy Wolf, who has been on the DL since June 8.

DEVIL RAYS: Tampa Bay outfielder Josh Hamilton says baseball is on the "back burner" as he tries to overcome cocaine addiction.

In a recent interview with WRAL-TV in Raleigh, Hamilton - the No. 1 pick in the 1999 amateur draft - said he became addicted after he was injured in a 2001 truck accident.

"It's the first time in my life I couldn't get a handle on something," Hamilton said. "I was always growing up being able to do everything with ease. My addiction hit me hard. I didn't know how to handle it. It had me frustrated.

"Cocaine doesn't discriminate. It'll get anybody. It got me quick. It got me real quick."

Hamilton was suspended for the season in March for violating baseball's drug policy. He isn't eligible for reinstatement until spring training next year.

Hamilton hasn't played since July 2002 because of injuries and personal issues. He has moved back to Raleigh and continues with drug rehabilitation with the support of his family.

Hamilton said he left his most recent treatment program a week ago. He works full-time for a local construction company and goes to the batting cages after work.

Hamilton received a $3.96 million signing bonus out of high school. In 251 minor-league games, he has hit .295 with 33 homers and 166 RBI.

PADRES: Catcher Ramon Hernandez is expected to be out two to three weeks with an injured left knee.

Hernandez left the game against Toronto on Sunday after straining his knee making a putout at home.