Representatives of Major League Baseball and the players’ union are opening talks about establishing new policies and punishments for domestic violence.

The first meeting is scheduled for Friday in negotiations that could continue for several weeks or even months.

The recent spate of high-profile domestic violence cases involving Ray Rice and other NFL players prompted the discussions.

Like baseball, other top professional sports organizations surveyed by The Associated Press — including the NBA, NHL, NASCAR, PGA Tour and ATP — currently have rules covering various kinds of inappropriate or criminal behavior away from arenas but do not address domestic violence on its own.