[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

By all means, if a guy wants to work pro ball, GO FOR IT. But that isn't what we are talking about. If I want to get a job at a bank, I have to meet the minimum requirements for the position and must go through the interview and training process. Scabbing isn't "taking your shot" it's a selfish attempt to boost your ego by working games you aren't trained for didn't interview for and aren't qualified for. If you want to get into the game, GO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE THERE.

This argument is getting tiresome. The guys who were supposed to work those games decided not to do so. Willing umpires stepped up and took their place on the field. That is what this is all about. Complaining about whether they earned it or not is ridiculous. There is no way for them to 'earn it' right now. The AMLU umpires deserved the opportunity to work those assignments BUT they refused. End of story - but in case you need more; some of those replacements did attend pro school and worked a few seasons of MiLB. They were released or chose a more fruitful path in life. Are you saying that they didn't earn it? It seems to me (and any other person using more than a brain stem) that they certainly did.

If that hypothetical banker walks away from his job and the bank manager asks me to take it, the banker and his cling-ons have no right to complain. The laws of supply and demand are clearly illustrated on ball fields across America and in your analogy.

While we have scattered reports of inept or controversial officiating among the replacement ranks, it is no different than any other sport - professional or amateur. How many phantom calls do we see in pro basketball? The WBC was a cluster f*&^% of bad calls and Davidson is heir apparent to the MLB. Even the WUA gurus have bad games; didn't we just see a beanball war with West on the dish? I guess he needs a six year AAA guy to show him how it is supposed to be done. Give me a break - most D1 guys and some high school umpires have been at it for longer than almost all of the AMLU guys. Sure, the calls are quicker and more demanding...so what? At every level the pressure builds from regular season to post season. Coaches still whine about not getting the calls and how they deserve better umpires. Get over it...even the best AAA guy got booed! I didn't see that picture and story on the AMLU site.

If I see another one of you post an article about a pitcher complaining about consistent strike zones I think I'll cry. What kind of an umpire listens to a player argue about his zone? It's funny, the umpires who trot those tales out now will toss a guy for questioning his consistency in a game. Those cling-ons who are cheering for a losing cause think there is merit in the tales of umpire ineptitude - that's really funny. Rats are rats and players get fooled by plays all of the time. I don't give much creedence to them - especially when they are 8-22.

By the way, I wouldn't brag about using a colored font to retort. I'm flattered that you chose the same method that I have long employed, but you really should use a different color - I suggest yellow!