[MikeStrybel]

What level of baseball was this contest? The league may have indemnifiers in place. If they employ the umpires directly, rather than as independent contractors, the league may be culpable. Are your umpires required to inspect field conditions prior to contest start? Were any unsafe conditions reported to them or the site manager prior? Those two answers will carry weight in any settlement. Does your rule book carry a provision that mandates field inspection before all games? Mine doesn't. If this was a game played after several others and no one reported unsafe playing conditions, it looks like your guys will jump through some hoops but wind up being dropped from the case ultimately. It's easy to sue, but much harder to collect damages due to negligence. This topic has come up from time to time here and I cannot recall an umpire being found guilty of negligence for actions like yours are accused of doing.