NEW YORK -- The top three officials of the Hall of Fame met with baseball's chief operating officer Wednesday and were briefed on negotiations with Pete Rose.

Rose and commissioner Bud Selig are negotiating a possible end to the lifetime ban the career hits leader agreed to in 1989 following an investigation of his gambling. Because of the ban, Rose is ineligible for the Hall ballot.

Bob DuPuy, who has headed the Rose negotiations for Selig, met with Hall chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark, Hall president Dale Petroskey and Hall vice chairman Joe Morgan.

"It was a meeting to bring us up to speed on a number of issues,'' Hall spokesman Jeff Idelson said. "They gave us an update on Pete Rose. Anything going on is between baseball and Pete Rose. The Hall of Fame has no role in it.''

Baseball officials have said in recent days that the Rose decision won't be finalized before the commissioner's office closes Friday for its holiday break. Baseball's offices don't reopen until Jan. 2.

Idelson said that because the 2003 schedule hasn't been finalized, baseball still isn't sure of which teams will play in the Hall of Fame game next summer or which weekend will be picked for the induction ceremonies.