Angelos Gets Help

Peter Angelos does not have to fight his legal battles alone. State and city legislators are helping him.

They discussed and voted on several bills yesterday that would back up Angelos' stand against replacement players.

The Maryland Senate passed two bills that would prevent games at Camden Yards this season unless 75 percent of the players were on major-league rosters last season and prohibit advertising at games that use replacement players. They passed 38-9 and 39-16, respectively.

The bills were sponsored by Sen. John Pica, a Baltimore Democrat and an attorney in Angelos' law firm, at the request of Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. They now go to the House of Delegates, where two companion bills were introduced by Del. Sandy Rosenberg.

The City Council also discussed similar legislation yesterday, holding a hearing on a bill sponsored by Councilman Joseph J. DiBlasi that would fine replacement teams $1,000 per game for playing at Camden Yards.