Carter volunteers to help players and owners mediate

ATLANTA - Former President Jimmy Carter said Friday that, if asked, he would gladly help mediate the labor dispute between baseball players and owners. <br> <br> Carter, an avid fan who often attends Atlanta Braves games, says he hopes baseball can avoid a strike that threatens to wipe out the season. <br> <br> Carter, in an interview with The Associated Press, says he hoped the players and the owners could work out their differences themselves or with the help of a government mediator, but he would be glad to personally volunteer his services, although he hopes that it&#39;s not necessary. <br> <br> Players are threatening baseball&#39;s ninth work stoppage since 1972, fearing that if they don&#39;t strike, owners will attempt to change work rules or lock them out after the postseason. Players are considering various strike dates starting with mid-August. <br> <br> Negotiators from both sides were meeting again Friday, with more meetings planned next week.