PLAY BALL

After the longest off-season of the twentieth century,Major League baseball is back. It's been257 days since the last pitch was thrownin a big league game, and questions abound. While fans wonder if the out-of-practice players will be up to snuff, the owners and players are wondering if the fans will come back. Season ticket sales are lagging in some cities, and five teams have cut their average ticket price. TIME sports editor Steve Wulf says that although there are many reasons for the fans to be dissatisfied--a shorter than normal season, an umpire's strike and the possibility that the players may strike again--mostly what he sees is a "sense of relief" by the fans. "People are ready to see baseball again."