BALTIMORE — The three candidates in Major League Baseball’s first contested election for a new commissioner in 46 years made presentations to the 30 teams Wednesday, a day ahead of the vote.

MLB Chief Operating Officer Rob Manfred, Boston Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and MLB Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan addressed team executives at a hotel a few blocks from Camden Yards in attempts to gain the 23 votes needed to replace Bud Selig in January.

They spoke for about an hour apiece, including PowerPoint presentations, and the owners attended an evening reception at the B&O Warehouse behind the ballpark’s right-field wall. The executives will split into three groups of 10 for question-and-answer sessions Thursday before the vote, which will take place by secret written ballot. A three-quarters majority is needed for election.

“That certainly is the goal,” New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said. “That’s why we’re all here.”

Manfred was estimated to have the support of 20-21 teams headed into the meetings, Werner of about six and Brosnan one: the Cincinnati Reds. There is no limit to the number of ballots, and it remained possible no one would gain election.

“I wouldn’t even guess,” Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said.

Werner is supported by Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Moreno. Other teams have said Reinsdorf wants a commissioner who will take a harsher stance in labor negotiations for the deal to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expires after the 2016 season.

“I haven’t been counting votes,” Reinsdorf said. “I don’t know where anybody stands.”

Selig, 80, has ruled baseball since September 1992.