[WhatWuzThatBlue]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dontcallmeblue
My thoughts...

...yes, MiLB umpires are "chasing a dream" but does that mean that we live in a society where you should have to make a choice between having a job you love and paying bills?

Yes, many people do this. They have jobs they hate, but they pay the bills. Few have jobs they love and make enough for all of their dreams. Grow up!



You all forget that minor league baseball made $500 million in revenue last year. That's half a BILLION dollars. Billion with a B. If they kicked the umps $2-3 MILLION that would most likely make a large difference in their lives. We're talking about them kicking a quarter percent of their revenue to the umpires. A QUARTER %.

Again, who cares? Microsoft doesn't pay the poor schlub that sweeps the floors big bucks. That is what these umpires are, floor sweepers. They do a thankless job and are paying their dues. No one promised them a chance to advance. They were told to be good workers and if they proved themselves they would advance. That sounds a lot like most of corporate America. How many CEOS are at your company?



As for those who said your lawn boy doesn't get per diem. He doesn't have to live out of a suitcase 7 months a year either. And I know, MiLB guys don't "have" to, but they've made a choice to chase a dream, don't punish them for that.

Oh, boo hoo... they agreed to the terms and that comes with the territory. I know plenty of salesman that make less than what they think they should. They live in cheap hotels and see their families a couple days each month. Again, we all make decisions - if they don't want to do it, step aside - others will. If you want to dream, like artists, poets and musicians, you often live on Mac n Cheese.




The IRS accepts per diems as a normal part of business travel. That's what MiLB guys do, travel for business. The IRS sets that rate by city, but nationally it's more than $60/a day.

Still more of this fairness BS. Why should they pay more when they don't have to? The pro schools are full of guys who will step in. Plenty of ex-MiLB guys will work those games, because they secretly pray to be recognized as better than they were. They think, 'Maybe they'll notice me now.' Have a drink with one of them sometime. Those that were cut loose often wonder why and are pining to get back. Should that guy say no to a game he's capable of doing and work a Varsity game at the local high school out of loyalty? No f-ing way, he's got bills to pay too. Unless of course you don't think his bills are as important.

I have a friend whose son just left Pepsico after four years. They worked him 70 hours a week and had him living on an airplane. He asked for a raise and they told him to hit the bricks if he didn't like the job. He did and they replaced him with a new college grad for 50% of his salary. They'll do it all again in a few years. That is how the business world operates. Wake up, DCMB - you are missing a good game!



I'm with these guys. They deserve every cent.

Yes, they do, but they agreed to live out of a suitcase for seven months a year. They also agreed to the pressure, per diem and lack of repsect - all for a shot at the dream. I guess in a perfect world they would all get paid $80,000 a year and their children would be movie stars and Olympic athletes with pefect teeth. Try NoDoz!