Embattled baseball nears a new season with the players and owners no longer sure that a strike is what an ump calls. A special preview issue sums up the latest developments, and William Leggett and Ron Fimrite assess who will beat whom—on the field. Artist Don Moss and SI photographers portray the greats of the game and stars-to-be, pitching analysts rate the top arms (lo, the best isn't Blue!) and Pat Jordan takes a ride with Pittsburgh's kid assassin, Bruce Kison. In addition, coverage of the rest of the week's news, the usual features and a surprising report on a bouncy old lady.