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The AAA umpires chosen by MLB to be fill-in's ALL:
1. Have a minimum of two years AAA experience
2. MLB evaluators chose each for extended training (Spring & winter)
3. Attended MLB spring training for evaluation by MLB staff prior to assignment
The contracts for these umpires come from MLB, not MiLB. MLB has paid MiLB to hire eight additional AAA umpires so that the crews don't go short handed when guys are called up. MiLB has canceled the contract for the duration of the strike.
AMLU chose to have these umpires continue working MLB games. It was a union decision, supported by a large majority. (This info came directly from an AMLU member).
As an aside, WUA is supporting AMLU in several ways, including the letter from John Hirschbeck, retired umpires on the picket lines (Not sure if any active guys have made one YET) and I'm sure other ways.
So to answer the question, no the AAA fill-in's are not scabs by any accepted definition.
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