AP source: MLB tiebreaker game would decide divisions

[January 28, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A person familiar with the talks says baseball players and owners have reached an understanding that ties for division titles will be broken on the field under the new playoff format.

Since 1995, head-to-head record has been used to determine first place if both teams are going to the postseason. But with the start of a one-game, winner-take-all wild-card round, both sides agreed the difference between first place and a wild-card berth is too important to decide with a formula and a tiebreaker game would be played.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a deal hadn't been finalized.

A little more than two months before opening day, the sides still don't know whether the expanded playoffs will start this year. Negotiators plan to talk again next week and decide by March 1 whether the 2012 playoffs will have eight or 10 teams.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.