What are the most critical issues facing Major League baseball as the 21st century approaches? Will players, owners, fans, the TV networks and the media be able to coexist peacefully and in harmony? What can be done to encourage America's youth to spend as much time playing "America's Pastime" as they devote to playing computer and video games, soccer, basketball and surfing the Internet?

These questions, and many more, will be discussed, debated and argued at Adelphi University's Inaugural Sports, Education and Society Symposium, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event, to be held in Woodruff Hall, will be free and open to the public.

On the prestigious symposium panel will be:

* Geoff Bellinfante, executive producer, Major League Baseball Productions;

* Dave Howard, senior vice president, business and legal affairs, New York Mets;

* Steve Jacobson, sports columnist, Newsday;

* Arthur Kaminsky, vice president and co-founder; The Marquee Group;

* Mel Southard, former vice president and council, New York Yankees.

In addition, News 12 Long Island's Sports Director, Bob Wolff, a member of the Broadcaster's Wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame, will serve as moderator of the event. The symposium will precede Adelphi's Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, which will be held that evening from 6 to 10 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. Also focusing on baseball as its theme, the dinner will feature the induction of six former-Panther diamond greats into Adelphi's Athletic Hall of Fame; as well as honor three long-time Long Island college baseball longtime coaches - Ron Davies of Adelphi, Robert Hirschfeld of NY Institute of Technology and Richard Vining of C.W. Post/L.I.U. - who will be in attendance at the symposium.

"As a major center of higher education that has combined top level academics, sports and citizenship for more than 75 years, Adelphi University intends to make this year's Baseball, Education and Society Symposium into an annual event that will provide educators, students, faculty and the general public with an opportunity to share ideas, opinions, knowledge and insights," stated Robert Hartwell, Adelphi's athletic director.