"I assume they'll say because of the strike, you don't get service credit," Orza said.

"The basic agreement says you have to be on the active roster to get service credit," Orza said.

Or he could become an unrestricted free agent if an arbitrator rules that players should receive service credit for the 52 days of the strike.

Members may purchase service credit for military service, out-of-state teaching, and qualified leaves of absence.

In all previous strikes, players gained service credit in the final settlements.

It is one of the few school clubs that can count for service credit.

One of the remaining issues is service credit for players for time missed during the strike.

Under the plan, retirees get an extra month of service credit for each year they have worked, up to a maximum of three years.

They are among 12 players who need service credit from the time missed during the 1994-95 strike to be eligible for free agency this year.

The deal calls for players to receive service credit for time lost during the 1994-95 strike, but the clubs want that modified.