[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by millhouse76

This is Jason Millsap here

Hi Jason I have some questions that I would like some clarification on:

1. Why isn't there simply one union for ALL professional Umpires instead of having separate ones? Reason being that the guys now fortunate enough to be in the BIG leagues were at the minor level once in their careers. Also, which in my opinion would be a major stubbling block. Would the Major League Umpires take a little less to filter some more money down to the minor leagues.

I do not know the exact pay scales, but in what I have read, there is a HUGE difference between being the head of say Triple A and a "rookie" in the BIG Leagues.

Should there be that much of a monetary change from Minor League baseball to the PROS?

2. At what level of Minor League baseball do you have 3 person crews.

The reason I ask is that I live in Hudson Valley New York and am only 15 minutes from Dutchess Stadium the home of the Hudson Valley Rennigades an A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The cost is relatively inexpensive and my son enjoys the games. There are only 2 umpires for those games.

Therefore, does it go something like this

A ball - 2 person crews
AA ball and Triple A - 3 person crews.

I am a HS umpire and each year our association asks us if we would like 3 person crews. The problem, the FEES are not any different meaning we would have to take the same FEE and split it 3 ways instead of 2. The only exception is during State and Regional Finals in which the schools will pay for 3 officials.

Therefore, any thought of simply going to 2 person crews for all of minor league baseball with the exception of the playoffs or ultimately is it a detriment because if you do make to the next level you are not prepared.

Thank you

Pete Booth