With emotions over Saturdays tentative five-year collective bargaining agreement between the CFL and the Players Association running high, the union has decided to act in an attempt to cool any tension. Sources tell TSN that union executives travelled to select CFL cities Monday to open dialogue with players and answer questions. After the tentative deal was reached Saturday night, several players posted messages of frustration and disappointment on social media - and that carried over into Sunday on both the web and the field. One source emphasized the purpose of the executives trips wasnt to convince players to vote for the tentative CBA, but for executives to "show face" with players in the hopes of, "bridging a gap in communication." On Saturday, the Players Associations team representatives held a conference call to measure the emotions of players across the league. "Personally, I think the right move is to ratify [the tentative deal]," Hamilton Tiger-Cats representative Peter Dyakowski said Monday when asked how anxious he was for a ratification vote. "However, Ive seen a lot of people disagree with that." The ultimate goal of the executives outreach, whether explicitly stated or not, is to secure a majority "Yes" vote in ratification, which is set to take place in the coming days. TSN has learned that the Players Association is trying to expedite the process of obtaining a physical copy of the tentative deal in the next couple of days to pass it along to its members, who can then read it over and ask any questions to clarify concerns. Right now, legal counsel for both the league and the players are reviewing and solidifying language in the potential agreement. The earliest the players hope to hold a ratification vote is Wednesday, and the union would require six of the leagues nine teams voting in favour - with players on each team voting 50 per cent-plus-one to ratify the agreement - for the tentative CBA to pass. All players, rookies included, will be allowed to cast a ballot. TSN has also learned that prominent CFL agents are encouraging their clients to accept the tentative CBA. "But a vote to reject the tentative CBA is not a vote to strike," a player with knowledge of the ratification process told TSN. Strike ballots from all nine CFL teams have been counted already, with a majority of players across the CFL voting in favour of a strike. If the tentative CBA is rejected, the union will notify the CFL and attempt to reopen negotiations with the league. "I think if we look at this deal through the lens of what some teams are making, and what our new TV deal is bringing in, and what we see the future holding for us, it doesnt seem like a fair deal, or a just deal," Dyakowski said. "But if you look at it compared to our last two CBAs, in a vacuum, and look at the numbers we have made huge strides." In the last year of the CFLs previous CBA, the salary cap was set at $4.4 million and the minimum salary was set at $45,000. In the first year of the tentative CBA, the salary cap would be set at $5 million and increase annually by $50,000, with minimum salaries rising to $50,000. Also included are the elimination of the team option year in non-rookie contracts, and a ratification bonus of $7,500 for veterans and $1,500 for rookies. The CFLPA will reportedly control the disbursement of the bonus, and set a veteran scale that could potentially award players whove played six-plus years in the league $12,000. "We have made huge improvements; we have won on a lot of football-related issues, a lot of player safety issues," added Dyakowski. "There are a lot of good things in this deal being realistic, being pragmatic. I believe this is a good deal, without any bloodshed." According to reports, Roughriders union representative Brendon LaBatte feels Saskatchewans locker room will vote to ratify the tentative agreement. But LaBatte knows of vets in the room willing to sit out the season and miss pay checks because they feel the possible deal isnt good enough. And again, there was vexation over social media, as one player in particular took to Twitter to voice his disapproval of the union executives team visits. "Just wasting more of our Union Dues...Aint nobody in Saskatchewan wanna see them, hope they bring their own security," tweeted Ricky Foley of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The defensive lineman tweeted later, "I am voting YES to accept the deal & NOT strike...cause weve been backed in2 a corner & I have no confidence in our execs or legal counsel." Although he knows how his locker room feels, Dyakowski isnt sure how players across the league will vote when its time for them to cast their ballots. "I feel in my gut that [the tentative CBA] will be ratified in Hamilton," the offensive lineman said. "Thats all I can say." Phil Kessel Jersey . -- Top-seed Shahar Peer and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard advanced to the second round of the inaugural WTA Citi Open. John Moore Jersey . Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night. https://www.cheapbruins.com/1662m-george-owen-jersey-bruins.html . Stiverne stopped Chris Arreola in the sixth round Saturday night, claiming the WBC heavyweight title belt vacated by Vitali Klitschko. Gord Kluzak Jersey . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. David Pastrnak Jersey . Leave it to Matt Niskanen, the newly proclaimed Eddie Haskell of the Washington Capitals.LOS ANGELES -- The reality of his final at-bat in the major leagues hit Todd Helton before he stepped into the batters box. Home plate umpire Bob Davidson handed the Colorado Rockies slugger his lineup card and Helton tucked the souvenir into the back pocket of his uniform. He struck out swinging against Kenley Jansen after singling his first time up in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. "That was very cool," said Helton, who had been asked by Davidson a night earlier if he wanted the card. Helton was 1 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout. The first baseman had announced two weeks ago that he would retire after his 17th season in the big leagues. He finished with 2,519 hits, 592 doubles, and 369 home runs. "You always wish you could slow down and enjoy it a little bit more," said Helton, who won the batting title in 2000. "Youre out there battling and that makes it go pretty quick. Its been a great run, and Ive accomplished more in this game than I ever thought. Ive learned more than I ever thought, by just going out and playing the game. Its been a lot of fun." In his last at-bat, Helton received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 52,396, and he waved his left hand in acknowledgement before stepping into the batters box. After striking out, the crowd rose for a final ovation. "Im glad I was here," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "I like seeing fans respect for him." Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully paid tribute to Helton on the video board before the game. Fans gave Helton a standing ovation and he waved his cap to the crowd as both teams joined in the applause. "That was very kind. They didnt have to do that," he said. "I was very honoured and humbled from those kind words. The last at-bat, I got a little emotional, but other than that, its September 29th and Im ready to go home." Scully sent an autographed microphone to the Rockies clubhouse for Helton. The Rockies paid tribute to Helton earlier in the week with festivities at Coors Field. "There was a finality to it today with Todd," manager Walt Weiss said. "It was very emotional for a lot of people. Todd said a few words to the guys, but it wasnt much. It took about 10 seconds, and thats right on cue for Todd. Its pretty cool to watch a legend in his last days." Jeff Francis came out of the bullpen to win his first start in more than three months and Michael Cuddyer won his first batting title for the Rockies. The NL West champion Dodgers, who lost four of their last five games to finish 92-70, will open the NL divission series at Atlanta on Thursday.dddddddddddd They received a blow after the game when it was announced that centre fielder Matt Kemp would miss the post-season because of swelling in a bone of his sprained left ankle. "The season is over for me," said Kemp, who was on crutches. "Its like a bad nightmare." Colorado (74-8 earned its their first winning record against the Dodgers since 2007, going 10-9. Cuddyer went 1 for 5 with three strikeouts and finished the season with a .331 batting average to win the batting title by 10 points over Atlantas Chris Johnson, who was held out Sunday to rest his right shoulder. "It was nothing that I ever expected and I really cant wrap my head around it yet," Cuddyer said. "It just goes to show that no matter what time youre at in your career, something like this can happen if you continue to work hard." Cuddyer had never hit better than .285 before this season. Francis (3-5) made his first start since June 18 at Toronto, having made 11 previous appearances out of the bullpen. The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in five innings. Rex Brothers pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances. The Dodgers rally attempt came up short in the ninth after they loaded the bases with one out. Brothers struck out Tim Federowicz and Skip Schumaker to end the game. Hyun-Jin Ryu (14- walked his first batter of the game before giving up three consecutive singles, with Troy Tulowitzki driving in Colorados first run on his single to left. The Rockies made it 2-0 in the fourth on Charlie Blackmons RBI single. Los Angeles closed to 2-1 in the fifth on Skip Schumakers RBI single. Ryu gave up two runs and eight hits on four innings in what was deliberately a short outing ahead of the playoffs. The left-hander struck out four and walked one. NOTES: Dodgers OF Andre Ethiers playoff status remains in doubt because of shin splints. He was in Arizona on Sunday, but will rejoin the team for its workout Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. That will be the clubs last chance to evaluate Ethiers condition before finalizing the playoff roster. "Its really going to see what he can do," manager Don Mattingly said. "Then well decide if thats going to be enough." ... The Dodgers became the first team since the 2010 Yankees to lead the majors in home and road attendance and the the first NL team since 1988. A total of 3,743,527 fans attended 81 home games, while the road attendance was 2,863,247 in 81 games. ... Dodgers RHP Peter Moylans wife, Amanda, sang the national anthem and "God Bless America." ' ' '