Lots of topics, no answers

DANA POINT, Calif. - Several items were discussed at the general managers' meetings, but there were no resolutions.

Jimmie Lee Solomon, the executive vice president of baseball operations, said general managers discussed their desire to make head-to-head competition a larger factor in deciding divisional and wild-card races than coin flips. The topic of eliminating coin flips was also mentioned.

The GMs were apprised of a study to find out why maple bats shatter.

Solomon thought Major League Baseball made great strides regarding pace of game - the average time of World Series games was reduced by 25 minutes (to 3 hours 21 minutes) from last year.

Solomon also said the GMs gave instant replay a thumbs-up and that the average time was under 2 minutes 30 seconds, which had been the goal.

Solomon said he was pleased with World Series and postseason security issues.

NICK CAFARDO