Ray Rice case shines light on player conduct policies for all pro sports leagues

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The NFL's Ray Rice case could serve as a wake-up call for other professional sports leagues and their policies on player conduct.

ABC 7 reporter Carolyn Tyler spoke with Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig Thursday during a news conference about domestic violence among players.

An anti-violence group calls the San Francisco Giants a model for professional sports, but the league itself has no policy on domestic violence. Outgoing Commissioner Bud Selig was non-committal today about whether that should change.

"Major League Baseball does not have an explicit policy or protocol dealing with domestic violence," Selig said. "Is it time for that? We haven't had any cases for a long, long time. But we deal with situations as they occur."

There have been several incidents and allegations over the years.

Former Twins and Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch was arrested this summer and was charged with assaulting his ex-wife.

Jose Canseco pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges back in 1998.

While there is no official league policy, Giants CEO Larry Baer says he's in favor of anything that acts as a deterrent.

"It's up to every team and league to call attention to this and to do what they can to highlight this issue," Baer said.

For the past 18 years, the Giants have held a Strike out Violence day at the ballpark. This coming Sunday it will feature a nonprofit called Futures Without Violence. That group believes every workplace needs a domestic violence policy.

"Sports leagues in particular have an additional responsibility because they hold social value and young people and fans are watching every move," Rachael Smith with Futures Without Violence said.

Her organization has sent recommendations to the NFL on training and education in light of the Ray Rice incident.