[WhatWuzThatBlue]

I believe that this strike is much more similar to 1979 than 1999. Really, didn't you just write that there wasn't a strike in 1979?

That MLB strike lasted 6 full weeks. It involved picketing at stadiums, press releases and press conferences. In many ways, the umpires in 1979 were worse off than today's MiLB umpires. In 1979 many were on the verge of going on food stamps, etc. But, the replacement umpires weren't as dedicated, skilled or equipped. The current crop of amateurs is better prepared for the game.

The MiLB umpires are younger and can easily get work paying more than what they make on the field. (Many have kept their off-season jobs). Yep, that's what some of us keep reminding them. They have a 5 MONTH JOB and want a 12 month salary. Sorry, but there are others trying to make it big someday - actors, musicians and artists that all live on the cheap because that is what their market value is. The pro schools are packed with dreamers.

So what happened in 1979? Eventually the umpiring product on the field caused others in baseball to put pressure on the Leagues to settle and get the "regular guys" back on the field. It took awhile for the press to start paying attention...but they did. Did some of the "replacements" do an adequate job on the field. Sure...many had (or are in the middle of) long MLB careers. Face it, amateur umpiring was a good ol' boy network back then. The top college umpires cherry picked everything. If a guy went to pro school, it was a big deal back home. Those replacements were good but not as prepared as some high school guys today.

So what's going on in 2006? Are some "replacements" doing an adequate job? Sure. Are some over-their-heads at this level. Many are.
That's a slightly biased assessment - 16 leagues and countless games every day...how many stories about bad umpiring?

Are more and more stories about the umpiring situation being reported? In my opinion, yes. (I use Yahoo every day to search for any news story containing the word "umpire"). That seems like a tremendous waste of time...are you out of work or just fixated?

Has the majority of editorials (and I admit their (sic) is not a ton) been pro-AMLU? I would say the vast majority that I have read have been. Did you read these is small town rags and umpire sites? Hmmmm

Does their (sic) appear to be more and more stories coming out about managers, GM's and minor league directors being upset about the replacement umps? Yes, (again based upon my Yahoo search), whether the criticism is justified or not. You are a counselor, right? Please tell me that these are not your courtroom arguments. Four weeks after the AMLU began the strike and they are still clawing for press. They have taken shots at amateurs for doing a thankless job and a few beat reporters have taken the bait. I haven't witnessed the MiLB turmoil on ESPN, MSNBC or the big 4 much. They probably don't have enough reporters looking for the 'news'.

Do I think incidents like the Young incident at Pawtucket and the Southern League forfeit have more and more minor league people talking about the situation? Yes. (For the record, IMHO, the Young incident would have happened with or without the AMLU guys working the game. However, I don't share the same opinion about the forfeit.) We do agree on Young...history shows his tendencies and he will be a marked man from here on out. The SL melee was a joke in more ways than one. The Barons skipper was quoted as saying, "There was no one in charge out there." Uh...buddy...what's your job? Aren't you supposed to control your team, so that the umpire doesn't have to dump your starting pitcher, first baseman and shortstop? Talk about not helping your cause...now I know why he's still in the Minors.

I personally think the strike is going well, and the AMLU is just beginning to get some momentum. I personally thought it would take longer than the 6-week MLB strike because it would take the AMLU longer to get the media to pay attention because this involves MiLB rather than MLB. There's that JD at work again. Most of us figured that the AMLU was p*ssing in the wind on this one. No matter how long they were out, they would look bad. So far, that's exactly what is happening.

So, to conclude, I disagree with your assessment of the current strike's success. Okay...please sit down as the prosecution rebuts...wait...you said you conclude...that means wrapped up...counselor?

Of course, the final judgment as to the success of the strike will be when a CBA is signed. Okay...are you done now? We all figured that the strike would end when a new CBA was enacted or when they wised up and formed a new union.

As to your first question...My first job after leaving the minor leagues (and before going to law school) was as a Sports Information Director at an NCAA Division 2 school. I made $30k. I provided as much of a service to society as an MiLB umpire does. Your value to society does not dictate what your salary is. Really, counselor...

That salary (combined with my wife's slightly less salary at that time) allowed me to pay my bills and buy my first (albeit modest) house. In this position I had minimal duties from mid-may to mid-August (not quite as long of an "off-season" as AMLU members). Not quite??? 3 months off versus 7??? What law school did you go to?

I think that salary (which is double a "AAA") salary is justifiable. For the record, that is what I think they should make...not what I'm predicting they will make after this strike. I don't want someone coming back and posting a month down the road that I claimed that a "AAA" ump would make $30k after the strike. I just think (1) that is what they should make IMHO (2) MiLB and MLB have both seen record growth over the last six years and as a result there is more than enough money to easily fund this salary level. Let's see a starting WUA umpire makes $80,000 for working an impossible level of baseball. He works an extra month, is scrutinized up the yingyang and travels his *** off. If the AMLU wants you to believe that the pressure between amateur ball and MiLB is night and day then so it is with MLB and MiLB. We saw what happens when you put AAA umpires in the WBC.

To the Einstein who asked where he could vote on a 30K salary for a five month job? You already did. After college, most of us had a choice to seek high salaries or live off Mom and Dad a little longer. If you had applied yourself a little, making 75K a year may have happened. ROTFLMAO