[WhatWuzThatBlue]

The one thing that is certain about this issue is that it is passionate. Those siding with the MiLB umpires believe that they are the only ones that matter. Their jobs are at stake because of a poor business decision and now they want others to bail them out. Months ago, another member wrote that even the WUA isn't supporting their cause. The reason was that the WUA guys know that the Minor Leagues is a training and proving ground. Simply paying for pro school and doing a good job is no guarantee of a financially secure future. Yet, they seem to think that they are entitled to things that many Americans do without.

Orangeump has jumped into this fray before. Do you really think that their strike will be meaningful? Being called a scab by a dozen people is not the worst thing an umpire can face. You won't see hundreds turning out for the picket line because people simply don't care. When is the last time you saw it being discussed on ESPN?

As for your comment about that AAA crew, I guess you didn't see Bob Davidson's shining moments in the WBC.

Challenging the integrity of an umpire who chooses to challenge himself with that assignment is cowardly. Why should a guy have to sacrifice his ambition because of a calculated risk that the union made? He may never have had the opportunity to attend professional school and is the shining star in his locale. His family and friends will come out to see him and make up for the two or three that stay away because of the umpires. When those MiLB guys start helping our program negotiate higher fees, then they can count on my support. When my granddaughter's school went on strike two years ago, many volunteered to substitute in order to keep the kids in class. Sometimes,the bigger picture is lost on those too close to the conflict.

Finally, bananaboybobbyduck, you would make a horrible lawyer. Even when your client is hanging in the gallows, you are writing to the judge for clemency. The fact that you don't recognize how little import MiLB gives to the umpires is sad. The dozens more that would be out of a job if games are cancelled is less important to you. Yeah, that makes sense...the guy that has put his life on the line to lease the ballpark concessions deserves to see his family starve. Maybe the guy who hawks souveniers should go without his salary and have to drop out of college because his summer job is gone. The lady who takes tickets and sells programs can explein to her children that they won't be able to get new school clothes because she was laid off due to the strike. Those are the real stories in the small town programs. Real people depend on that income - not just the boys in blue. Ask how many of the people in the stands at a Rookie League game would like to be paid $15,000 for five months of work.

Now, let's consider the player that needs one more game to prove himself and be called up to the next level. "Hey, dude - too bad for you; the umpires need more money." Some of those players make the same salary as the umpire! They are considered professional, but understand the complex nature of their training program. They are taking a chance that their skills will take them to the company of other elite individuals. But, I guess they are different than you, huh? Stop being hypocrites - get a clue before you are out of work and your investment is worthless.

I will happily escort any umpire across that imaginary line. None of you are going to do anything more than flap your gums. There will be no stigma attached to those guys, despite your pretense. Being ostracized by guys who couldn't carry my gear bag doesn't mean much to me. I've been called worse by better people. The game is and always has been bigger than the umpire. Maybe a few of you will recignize that before your egos cause irreversible damage. If you don't want to work those games, don't. Someone will and you'll be a fool.