What was that song the fat little mayor from the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas sang?


Wasn't it something about a side-step?

Jeff:

Were your grammar not so fractured and your dissemination abilities not so convoluded you could have been a politician instead of an Amway salesman.

Wait, never mind, I guess you would make a perfect politician.:D


Tim.

I always love the "grammar" comments but I always get responses and summations of my very point of view in the actual responses to what I have said. If you did not understand what I said, why are you responding to every post I make?

If this was a classroom I will then worry about exactly how perfect my grammar is or is not. Also I bet I can get in front of many more people and talk about ideas than you have ever in your life with people of all kinds of educational backgrounds. Remember you think LL umpiring is the "lick" (a slang word, sorry for your grammar Nazis). So before you get on my about an income stream that you probably would never know how to do because you like following directions from someone that makes more money than you do, I would try to be careful those types of insult.

I have answered the question and gave a specific reference. I know that this will never be good enough. Also I am not in a court of law where my answer is necessary to this or any discussion. If you are insulted by the term scab get used to it because it is not going away. It is going to be used by myself and many other umpires that side with the union and the issues they are fighting for. If you are so insulted by those conversations, go and jump off the nearest building because you are so insulted. If you want to shape the argument to the way you want to have the argument, go to a place where only people like you think. Maybe the Republican National Convention is a good place and you will never have to worry about someone taking a side opposite of the leadership.

Once again this shows this was never about the issue at hand (which is why I answer the way I do), it is about me and what I may or may not have meant by a very minor statement. Oh well, some of us have to go actually work a game and not just talk about it on the internet.

Peace

Jrutledge,

I did use the search function. None of the comments about AMLU guys that you talked about

That and your shucking and jiving when asked to back up your story shows me that you intentionally tried to mislead people.

The truth is that the uncivil language has been a one-way street...AMLU supporters insulting those that disagree with them. You KNOW this to be true but you continue with your intentionally false statements. What goes through your mind to continue with a story that we know is not true? I feel sorry for you.

Joe

Rich:

My story is related to the both the MLB strike and the Minor League strike, and that is there are far too many sports officials who will sell out their brethen their own personal gain. People with integrity will not do that. Would I love to officiate in the NBA or WNBA? Sure, what basketball official wouldn't. But I would never cross a picket line or sell out my fellow basketball officials. (POI: So that people do not accuse me of witholding information, I have one friend who officiates in the NBA and two that officiate in the WNBA; My father was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union for 53 years and his brothers were members of the United Steel Workers Union for over forty years.) Yes, I have a union background, but even if I did not have three friends that officiate in the NBA and WNBA I would sell out my fellow sports officials for fame or fortune.

MTD, Sr.

Joe:

Who did I insult? Who did a call a name? I thought using professional and ethical conduct as a reason for not crossing a picket line good and logical reasons for my position.

MTD, Sr.

You used the term “scab” in the title of this thread. That is too much for guys like Joe to handle.

Peace

Mark,

Don't worry about this fool. That's right Joe, I called you a name. I'm glad you live in an Utopia when everything in life is fair and just. People that cross picket lines to work are just that, low life, bottom feeder, scumbag, SCABS. You can slice it and dice anyway you want, but when you put the puzzle back together again you get the same picture.

Why do you think the AMLU went on strike, JoJo? Because the powers that be at PBUC care about their employees. Not hardly. Just because you don't understand the union mindset and the brotherhood. I should know, because I spent my entire working career dealing with labor/management issues. I have yet to see management ever come to a bargaining table even remotely to bargain in good faith. Nine out of ten times, their original proposals include cuts in benefits and cost of living raises, etc.

So, if a little name calling is too harsh for you I suggest you not read anymore of these quips from posters with strong opinions. You seem to be so easily offended.

If they wanted to replace the striking umpires they should have put this ad in the paper.

WANTED POTENTIAL MAJOR LEAGUE UMPIRES. PEOPLE WITH LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE. MUST BE WILLING TO TRAVEL. STARTING PAY, MINIMAL. SOME BENEFITS. LOW PER DIEM. MUST BE ABLE TO HANDLE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS AT ALL TIMES. DEALING WITH UNREASONABLE PEOPLE A MUST. MUST PAY FOR OWN UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT. NO OVERTIME. COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF RULES AND MECHANICS NECCASSARY. IF INTERESTED CALL BR5-49 FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW YOU CAN BECOME BIG LEAGUE MATERIAL.

Mark,

It's no use trying to change their mind, because no matter what you say they aren’t going to budge.

This debate began when some inflammatory posts (None by AMLU members to my knowledge) were made in support of the strike. Yes, the umpires crossing the picket line are ‘Scabs’ by most accepted definitions. The content of some of the posts are unsupportable and simply do not in any way track with what AMLU is trying to do (Educate and inform).

I can say that there HAVE been both derogatory and supportive comments made by club staff. While these have not been posted publicly or in news articles, they HAVE been made.

PWL,

The union movement's inability and/or unwillingness to communicate with civility and thoughtfulness is why their cause loses more often than it used to. Just look back at your post.

You refuse to acknowledge the simple fact that intelligent and respectful arguments will work far better than the type of talk that you are engaged in.

You have very little chance of persuading undecided umpires and even less chance of changing the minds of some that have already worked in the Minor Leagues this year. One would think that getting support for your cause would be your goal. Clearly, this is not the case.

I hope you enjoy the continuing deterioration of the Union movement in the USA-your method of communication is a large part of why you have less public support as each day goes by.

Joe

I am very willing to turn the page on this issue and with you personally. I just think that you are absolutely nuts if you think people are going to use language that only fits your personal expectations. This issue is bigger than one word and has emotional elements to it. I have personally talked directly to a few minor league umpires and I have worked other sports with them. The term they use is "scab." One of my parents in a union and has been for years and feels similar to union issues as these umpires do. I know many officials that belong to contractor unions and teacher's union and they feel similar to what these umpires are going through. Sorry if you do not want emotion or certain language into this discussion, it is not going to happen.

Peace

Fleetwood Mac is always good with dip.;)

Okay, this is how it is:

People with strong union backgrounds in their families or personal lives tend to support any and all unions, simply because they are unions. They support all strikes against the big, bad, unfair meanies in management, regardless of their merit.

People with non-union, or even more so, anti-union stances are not supposed to have an opinion when it comes to the issue of unions. Not being union members, why how could they possibly relate to the plight of labor in these cases? So, the union supporters tend to disregard anyone with an opposing viewpoint. They are just ignorant and uninformed "scab lovers" with no clue.

The unions I am familiar with here in San Diego have gone on strike, and not garnered much support from the non-union public. The "scab" labor comes in, management thumbs their noses at the union members, the union reps end up getting much less than they wanted at the bargaining table, and the workers return to work with their tails between their legs. This is the exact pattern of events in the grocery workers' strike we had here recently.

The bottom line is, while unions have done magnificent things for all workers over this nation's history, there are times when striking is not effective. I feel this is one of those times.

Nobody twisted the MiLB umpires' arms to accept the slave labor wages they get paid. If you want a shot at the majors, then this is the only road leading there. Take it or leave it, that's what management's position is. You are there to prepare yourself for a possible career in baseball, which is not in the minor leagues.

I wish that the management would pay the minor league guys a heck of a lot more than they do. The wages are deplorable. It is downright sinful to expect these guys to try to live on this paltry sum of money, and lack of decent benefits. However, these umpires did agree to these terms when they signed their contracts, and I think that is the issue that the non-union and anti-union crowd is pointing out. I also think that striking right now will hurt their chances of bringing a change to the system, rather than help them.

Here is the view from non-union laborers: If a non-union employee told his boss he wanted x-amount more money or he was going to walk, the boss would gleefully tell him not to let the door hit him in the butt on the way out.

This is why non-union employees have little sympathy for strikers, because they can't strike themselves. They can't completely understand the concept of accepting a contract, and then saying the contract isn't good enough anymore. That strategy worked for Terrell Owens, because their was another team that wanted him. Dallas said sure, T.O., we'll pay you the money you wanted in Philly. There is no other team for these umpires, so their threats aren't taken seriously.

If I read this thread right, the union isn't striking. They don't have a contract in the first place, since their contract expired. Striking implies that you are leaving a job that you had in the first place. MiLB has no contract. They refused to accept the terms they were offered by Baseball.

So if they don't have a job to begin with, how are the people who are taking the available unfilled jobs, scabs? These "replacement" umpires haven't been asked to join a union, and since there isn't a strike due to their not being a contract - none of those definitions apply. If they aren't working for less than the union was working for, none of the scab definitions apply.

And why should anyone support a union that wouldn't accept them into their ranks in the first place? We, the union, don't want you, wouldn't take you, and don't really care about what you plight in life is. So tell me why anyone should support your union again? :confused:

Well, if there is no contract, then why is the AMLU 'picketing' the replacements?

How can you 'cross a line' if there's no contract to violate?

I'm sure some union-savvy people can break this down for me.

It's not a violation of union by-laws for a non member to cross a picket line. That wouldn't make much sense as a non union individual isn't bound by a collective bargaining agreement. If ,after the AMLU's case is heard by the NLRB, the union is de-certified, then it still wouldn't be a violation for former members to cross either.

Even if a union member were to cross there could be no legal reprecussions against them. They would simply lose their membership or be forced to pay a fine to stay a member in some unions. I can't say for sure though as I've not read their contract. In our union the only way to take away someones union membership is for non payment of dues.

Deal or No Deal
 

I don't recall tugging on your chain, PWL. Why the insult against the union I still belong to? You must be thinking, hey, I can make another childish insulting post because it's Easter and it won't be deleted for a while. Will you just grow up already.


Tim.

Is there anything you don't know everything about? Do like Lard Steve and put me on your IGNORE LIST. That's what's it there for. Take responsibility for once in your life for your obsessive complusive disorder.

Go spend some time with your family and stop being an "Internet Charlie".

Peace:)

I've said it before, just recently. I would put you on my ignore list but then what fun would that be. I would miss you tripping all over youself as you give your nonsensical interpretations and outright wrong rulings. I don't know why it bothers you that someone else knows more than you do, as this has to be common place for you in your everyday life. That is, unless it's about your inate ability to copy song lyrics. I'd say you have that down to an art form.

Tim.

Christine McVie would be outraged.
 

No, Tim, he even gets those wrong. In "Oh, Well" it is "stick by me and I'll be your guiding hand." He missed that one too.

Mick, Brad.

Make Lard Steve and Haagy stop picking on me. I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if they don't stop it. There are big tears all over my keyboard as I type. I think I will have to start my own website where everybody treats me nice and I can tell them what to say and do. So there.:p

Gentleman, this is simply an exercise in the law of supply and demand. I wholeheartedly believe our MiLB umpire brothers are grossly under compensated for the service they provide. They don't have a contract and have decided to stand together and fight for better. Their problem, and what I think is the problem for umpires in general, is that there are too many people willing to provide the service for the lower wage. These people must realize they will be afforded no protection of a union and are simply "at-will" employees. Same as any employee not in a union. They may endure treatment even worse than the union members by baseball management because there is nothing or nobody to support them. I applaud the striking union members for standing up for a noble cause. My fear is that they are going to be defeated and any hopes for any of them to make it to the major leagues will end prematurely. My hope is that this brings an entire new structure to the system where being a minor league umpire is a career that is fairly compensated, not just an abused apprenticeship to a snow balls chance at the bigs.

Will

Former MiLB crew chief responds
 

Brother umpires,

I've read the entire thread...wow...talk about fun. Would you like some perspective from someone who actually knows the contract, and knows the situation, and won't call names? Breath of fresh air, eh?

Ok...an umpire in AAA is bound to a MAXIMUM of 3 years at the AAA level before one of the following two things must happen:

1) MLB takes interest in the umpire, and decides that they would like to consider him (or her, since there is a female AA umpire) for a "fill-in" spot with MLB. If they are interested, these umpires generally are assigned to the Arizona Fall League, where they are watched by MLB supervisors over 6 weeks. These games feature some of the best prospects in baseball, and the level of competition is a good as it gets in the minors. They work four man crews and are critiqued after every game and get the dreaded Questec treatment if they work the plate. Questec is not every game, but they generally get it for 2-4 games in the AFL.

2) The umpires that reach a third year and have been shown know interest by MLB are then released from their contracts (and careers) based on the terms of the contract that just expired. It was agreed upon by the AMLU in 2001, so umpires would not be dragged along for the customary 4-6 years, thinking they had a shot, only to be dropped after 12-14 years in the minors.

OK...got that out of the way...NEXT!

As a former minor league crew chief and umpire for over a decade, I know how much I miss umpiring the games. I've heard stories about HS/NCAA umpires and the such that are getting the "chance of a lifetime" to work these games. I can't really blame them. I know how much it meant to me to work in different stadiums with screaming fans...what a thrill! However, consider my three points...and please consider them, since I haven't called anyone names:

1) My chance of a lifetime cost me $6000 to go to umpire school, since I was a two time student (not as good the first time ;) ).

2) I spent over 9 years gone from Mid-March to Mid-September from my home, and in the course of that decade, I missed 10 4th of July's with my family, 10 of my brother's birthdays, and 10 of my own with my family. I'm not complaining...don't get me wrong...it was my choice to sacrifice for a chance to work in the Majors. I came home to my home state for a total of six days in the 10 summers I worked in the minors. SIX DAYS.

3) In the decade plus that I worked, if you take my total salary for that time, I made a little over $100,000 for that time frame. Now think about that...that was 10 years of umpiring for just a little more than 100G's. I also never had a true "full-time" job until I was in my 30's. It's hard to tell someone, "Hey, I'd love that 50K job, but can I leave for six months, then come back for six, then leave...etc." Once again, not complaining, just explaining.

So, the moral of the story is this. While I understand the "chance", I sacrificed a lot more time, blood, sweat, toil, and tears, to deserve that chance, and that is the major problem with the AMLU members who are fired up. I've seen some of them physically ill when they realize someone who just got out from behind their desk after work is making their sacrifices null.

As far as the protest situation in Columbus: How would an AMLU umpire react? A "true" (pardon the generalization) AAA umpire has most likely had that play happen at least twice in his/her career since they most likely have 7-10 years of experience. I know for a fact that I had that same play three times, once with a slightly confused Carlos Delgado down on rehab in the minors. We also run that drill at umpire school over and over, and it is also drilled in our heads with the rules test and other teaching. The thing that should confuse you is not that there was no protest, it was that any umpire, no matter what level, should have known who to call out on that play. Think about it, everyone of you who is posting on here...How did you know that was the rule? Dumb question...because you know your job. What a lot of you may not be aware of is this: If a minor league umpire crew loses a protest, they will be removed from their position by the end of the season. A protest is considered the "death mark;" as an umpire in pro ball, you are expected to know the rules and apply them correctly, since this is your vocation, not hobby.

Last comment for now: It's not a lack of umpiring ability that makes the situations in the minors tough...it's the lack of experience at the levels they're working. I could blow a call, trust me, I have, and get away with it since I knew half the players over my 11 years. When you establish an attitude, repore, and people know who you are, they respect you. They don't respect the replacement umpires because they (players) know we've sacrificed as much as they have.

I appreciate you all for taking the time to read this post, and if you'd like to know more, please respond to my post and I can help everyone understand the feelings of both sides.

Thatballzlow!

One more thought
 

For those of you who were wondering about whether the umpires are a union or not...I can fill you in since I was a member when it started.

In 2001, the National Labor Relations Board formally recognized the Association of Minor League Umpires as the collective bargaining agent of the minor league umpires.

The first contract was approved in spring training of the 2001 season. The original contract, if can believe this, was worse than the first one negotiated by the AMLU in their official capacity in 2001. The first contract I signed in the 90's was one page...ONE PAGE, front and back, that basically gave you a salary, some legal mumbo-jumbo, and a clause that said, "We can fire you for anything...bad mustache, chronic halitosis..." (OK, maybe not that wording, but you get the idea :cool: )

The contract was for five seasons, expiring at the end of the 2005 season. They negotiated for six months, and have not come up with a solution yet. Can you imagine why? Therefore, they are a legally established union, recognized by the federal government, and they can legally strike since they are still bound as employer/bargaining group.

I know I'm probably screwing up the legaleze of my statements, but the umpires did not give up they're jobs...that was in 99. LOL

thatballzlow, boys

Or if this happened?
 

I wonder how some of these so called "replacement" umpires would feel if their regular 9 to 5 jobs were outsourced to, say India for example. I can see them walk in the job interview and say, "I have 20 years experience doing such and such and when I left I was making over $75,000.00 a year". The interviewer's reply would probably go like this, "Sorry, we don't have any openings for you and your salary expectations. We are going to hire someone much younger who is willing to work for much less. It's basically the same job you were doing, but we're going to go with the less qualified person to cut costs. I would like more than anything to hire you, but I would lose my job and you would be making more than me. Now if you are willing to do the job for half of what the person I'm wanting to hire, we might have a deal. Call me, we'll do the lunch thing".;)

So what's the call? Fair? Foul? :p

Huh? How can you tell us about BOTH sides? When you say "both sides" do you mean the "side" of a former AMLU guy and the side of a current AMLU guy? :D

Why has the AMLU has decided it is perfectly OK to take College and HS games that "brother umpires" would like to work?

Joe

Hey JoJo,

They are probably turning back their high school/college games so they can go work the minor league games. You think they're going to work a little varsity game for peanuts when they can go work a minor league game for three times as much. Yeah, right.

Where have you been? What he said!

Ballzlow:

Thanks for such an informative post. That cleared up a lot of misconceptions for me, seriously. It is truly a longshot to make the MLBs as an umpire, and obviously many good umps will never make it for one reason or another. I respect those who have sacrificed so much for what is almost a lottery's chance of getting to the 'bigs.'

But you have to wonder..why did the AMLU knowlingly sign up for a system structured like this? Is this really the best way to put the best umpires on the field? This arrangement not only specifies poor pay and terrible odds against advancement, it gives the umps almost no leverage.

....shouldn't AMLUs goal for this 'action' be, as others have said, to dismantle this entire system of umpire development and build a better one? I dont see why qualified umpires cannot stay in the minors.....since the turnover at the MLB level is so small, there's always a logjam somewhere.

I am not sure what world you live in. No one takes assignments from anyone. You are either given an opportunity or you are not given an opportunity. The only people that might be hurt by the Minor League guys coming back are the guys on the margins. The solid to great umpires are not going to be hurting for schedules. Also it is a misconception that many of these guys are coming back in the first place. I have had guys offer to work with me just so they could work and were willing to do it for free (not being paid at all). I also know some guys that are not working anything right now either. I worked with a guy on Sunday that is a current Minor League Umpire and would not be working games until May or June with or without this strike. He was going to work those games whether anyone liked it. The assignor wanted him there and that is where he was. He was also one of the best umpires I have ever seen. Our other partner was a Minor League guy last year I believe and he is working a lot of D1 ball. Guess what, these guys are good and they are going to work because the powers that be will want them there. Remember assignors want to keep their jobs. They want people that can handle situations.

Peace

This was posted on another thread. I guess the Minor league guys have changed their minds about taking assignments because the "assignors want them there".

This is Jason Millsap here.

First and formost, I would like to thank Carl for posting this for me, and all of you for your time to read it and your consideration.

I have read through the replies here briefly and wanted to answer one question real quick, as it is 1:30 at night, and I just got in from a four hour road trip after a double header.

As Carl stated, I have always worked amateur games in the time before reporting to spring training. Before getting into the game, I was an amateur umpire for five years, and was already working at the college level before attending umpire school.

As a union, we have discussed in depth, us working amateur games. We have decided, and mandated that we will only work games as a last minute fill in to help out assignors. We will not attempt to pick up games to fill out our schedule while we are on strike, should the need to strike arise. I repeat, we will not take your games.

Our theory on this is simple. If we are going to ask you for your support in not taking our games, we can not, and will not take yours. Plain and simple. If you know of a MiLB umpire who takes games, please contact me personally, and I will look into the situation, and help you out as much as possible.

As a note, I will let you know how I handled this situation personally. I recevied my schedule through March 15th like I have for the last four years. Any dates after that point, I will only accept games that need me to work them due to last minute schedule changes, or cancellations. I will not take games that could be filled by other amateur umpires. I assure you that, and for those that know me, I stand by my word.

After spending the early parts of my career initially learning how to umpire, and the game at the amateur level, I have made many friends at the amatuer level. Many of these I would consider to be some of my best friends. I still have a deep connection, and concern for the game at the amateur level. I take every opportunity afforded to me to give back to amateur umpires, whether it be through watching guys work, speaking engagements, or clinics. I have been given the opportunity to learn many things that most guys don't, and the more of this I can pass on, the better off the game is due to better umpiring.

I will read through the rest of these posts later tomorrow after I have rested and have more time. Until then, if you need to, please feel free to contact me with any questions, or concerns.

I thank you for your time, and your support. I assure you, we will not be taking any of your games at the amateur level due to our inopportunity to work, should it happen. We have been preparing for this possibility both as a union, and individually. We will not hurt your schedule, and hope to resolve our issues and continue on with our careers.

This can only be achieved through your support.

Thanks

Jason Millsap
seeitcallit "at" earthlink.net

My comments were directly to those that have tried to suggest that Minor League umpires are "taking" amateur assignments from amateur umpires.

You may accept assignments that are offered to you by an assignor or fellow umpire, but you are not "taking" them from anyone.

You need to read the comments I am responding to. ;)

Peace

Assignors make decisions like this all the time. They decide who they need and who new is to take the place of those that die, retire, get fired, screw up and change their availability. According to your logic any newly hired umpire are "taking" assignments away from veterans when they get hired for a new season.

Also let us not exaggerate the situation. I highly doubt that any umpire is taking 100 games from anyone at this point. I know where I live we are scrounging for umpires to cover games. So if there is someone that is not available that would not normally be available at this time of the year, I know of some assignors that would be very happy with the fact that there are qualified umpires available to cover games instead of picking up very new umpires to work games that because of numbers is the only reason they would be working certain games in the first place.

Peace

I'm reading that the reason people are working minor league games because we(the minor league umpires) are working HS/College games. There are 4 minor league umpires in my city. We are not working games, so why are people working ours?

Clint Lawson
[email protected]

Why do you call the Minor League games "yours"? You have refused to work them, so how do the games belong to you?

I am really wanting to see an actual answer to that question without a bunch of "union speak". Someone may have explained it somewhere, but I have not seen it.

Joe

We have not refused to work these games. We are ready to go to work tomorrow. We don't have a labor contract. We have tried to settle this since October. MiLB is the ones holding this up. Would you go to work without a contract.

Clint Lawson
[email protected]

Wow, gotta love union speak.

The employer offered you a contract. You refused to accept it. That is what the word means. It is a free country. They say how much they are willing to pay for a job and you decide whether or not you want that job. All of the AMLU guys, so far, have said no. Other guys have said yes.

I totally understand that you want a contract that gives you more compensation-good luck on your goal. You have every right to demand that.

But to say that you have not refused to work is absurd.

Joe

Yo JoJo,

When these scabs start working under the same conditions the AMLU guys did, then let them decide if the job is right for them. Wait, they can't do that. They would have to much to lose like wages and benefits from their regular employers. Something the AMLU guys don't really have.

Wow, gotta love Joe talk!!!!

You must be dizzy from talking in circles. BTW-Why does it bother you so much that they refused the contract that was offered them. Take that silver spoon out of your mouth and sign up for MiLB duty and see America. I'm sure your employer won't mind. Maybe it would make for some good reality TV.

Can you say "age discrimination lawsuit?"

I have gone to work for 29 years without a contract.

How many people in the real world have contracts, Cliff? Name me the upper, middle and lower level corporate workers who have assurances that they will be hired even for one more day?

You bought into a union. You are now in the acting like union members. That's what you bought into and the hopes are that in this union there will be power.

It ain't happening, Bro. If they take you back, and I think in my MiLB experience they will, it will be on MLB terms with minor concessions for the sake of appearance.

I understand your frustration not first hand but only by hearing about it from many of my MiLB friends. You are underpaid, overly abused, and overworked.

All of which became self-evident in your fisrt year in MiLB.

Here's a real world clue. Get your head out of your ***, start thinking about the fact that you will never be a MLB ump and deal with it. :mad:

AMLU,
Give me a call. My number is on the website.

Cliff

Because they are not "your" games anymore. You have chosen not to work. So, the people that you are speaking about are working "their" games, not "yours".

I respect your position, but millions of people work without contracts. In fact, the majority of work done in this world is performed by laborers without guarantees.

The irony of this situation is not lost on many of us. Umpires are supposed to act in the best interest of the game. No one promised a path to the Show. I've written it before; your union continues to call replacement umpires 'scabs'. It seems fitting to tag the AMLU gang as 'apprentices' or 'students' then.

No one promises a musician, artist or tradesman that they will make it big. They recieve peanuts for performing their masterpieces. There aren't very many professions that reward mediocrity without the benefits of a union.

Consider those in the armed forces; many joined with dreams of wearing a star or two or three on their hat some day. They recieve the same pay that guys did ten years ago and get treated pretty poorly. They receive training in return for their investment. Oh, many have families to support and bills to pay too. These young men and women are making a sacrifice in hopes of a better job at the end of their commitment. PBUC is very similar - you are thrown in the trenches and asked not only to survive but to perform exemplary. In time, you will get noticed, promoted and move up the chain. The average time is seven years - you either make it or break it. Seven years isn't a career and many guys never make it out of A ball.

I do wish you luck in finding games that weren't previously assigned to others (I know you would never accept those assignments). I don't know you, but wished that you would have listened to some of us that walked there before you. Yes, the conditions are tough but the dream is now gone. You will probably be the best trained amateur umpire in your area next year. Andy and his brass will still be wondering what happened. This was really a sad tale - you should have taken the small increase and realized that many of us never even received your salary. Pride should have taken a back seat when the other guy is holding a Royal Flush. Good luck with the future and I hope that you understand that very few of us wanted this to happen.

Millions of people that belong to unions do. And when they do not work with a contract they strike, get locked out by management or threaten to walk off their jobs. You claim to be from Chicago, the CTA threatened the same thing about a month or two ago (walk off their job) for similar reasons that the Minor League umpires have walked off their job. Or what about the numerous teacher's strikes or threats of strikes in this area the past 4 or 5 years (Proviso and Downers Grove school districts just to name two)? I guess those facts just seem to be missed by the likes of you. Oh well, what else is new.

Peace

What language is that? It looks like another case of Viagra addiction for the Wheaton Warbler.

Millions of people that belong to unions and realize the potential for their jobs. The AMLU gang considers what they do to be a career. Even the MLB guys say that is not the case. If you don't get the call within seven to ten years, you are done. That is not a career by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, according to PBUC, one out of every twenty AMLU members actually has a shot at making it to AAA.

Most of us were addressing Clint's proposal that he couldn't possibly work without a contract. Sure he could, he just needs to notify the union that he is remanding his membership and go join the other recent graduates who are working. By the way, how come the AMLU guys are calling the recent pro school graduates 'scabs'? By their very logic, they earned the right to work those games.

I live in the suburbs of the Chicago metropolitan area. I never claimed to be born here, in fact, I was raised in another state. Both have been mentioned here numerous times. Get your facts right, then try again.

The CTA are a typical, greedy Chicago union. They want more money and benefits to sit on their asses all day. Most of them have less education than the average Malamut. I wish they had walked out. They have nothing in common with the baseball umpires of our minor league system.

You must have missed my posts about how my granddaughter's school district went on strike a few years ago. Replacement teachers were brought in and they did the job while the regulars paced back and forth asking for more. (I think there is a website that details Illinois teacher salaries; check it out and see how much they need to go on strike next time.) You really should do some fact checking before you keep embarrassing yourself.

I applauded the fact that a few brave souls crossed the teacher's line and focused on the bigger picture. The same goes for the PBUC umpires. The league has decided that the replacements are doing a pretty nice job considering the fact that they are being taunted by a few idiots.

Speaking of those guys, the AMLU website has continued to highlight photos of the replacements. They publish names and make it easy to locate these guys. Just to be fair, I Yahoo'd a couple of them and left messages of support. If the AMLU gang thinks that being professional means tearing apart another working umpire, then they are really professional. Keep up the good work gang, I hope none of those guys ever becomes your boss. I loved the photos of the bench clearer the other night. My memory is a little foggy, but I recall a few last year when they wre in charge. I guess that is part of the whole 'selective memory' ideology. You should feel right at home, Rut.