AMLU negotiators, MiLB officials and a federal mediator meet in Cincinnati!
 

With only a half day left in the scheduled talks, is there any word about how things are shaping up?

Striking minor league umpires and management settled an unfair labor practice charge filed by the union after resuming bargaining this week following a layoff of 2 1/2 months.

Umpires, who have been on strike since the start of the season, claimed the Professional Umpire Development Corp. threatened to fire employees who went on strike.


"PBUC is required to post a public government notice in every minor league park in the country and mail the notice to all employees, informing the umpires, its employees, that it will honor their rights to engage in union activities, and that it will not threaten striking employees with discharge or other reprisals," the Association of Minor League Umpires said in a statement Thursday.

Management made what it terms its final offer to the union on Jan. 31. Talks resumed with a federal mediator Wednesday in Cincinnati, and the union said there was no progress. Talks continued Thursday.

"We agreed to settle with no admission of wrongdoing," management lawyer George Yund said. "The umpires are on strike over their demands for more money, not because of alleged unfair labor practices."

The unionized umpires want higher pay and per diem. Umps say their salaries average $15,000 at Triple-A, $12,000 at Double-A, $10,000 in full-season A-ball and $5,500 in rookie leagues.

"PBUC is willing to reach a new contract but has proved that it can operate successfully without the strikers," Yund said.

The minor leagues have not identified the replacement umpires who have been working games. Tampa Bay prospect Delmon Young threw a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest Wednesday and was suspended indefinitely by the International League on Thursday.

"I'm sure whatever differences remain in our negotiations, the AMLU agrees with PBUC that a player should not intentionally hit an umpire under any circumstances," Yund said

AMLU release
 

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2006

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SETTLES
UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES

The Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation (PBUC) has agreed to settle unfair labor practices filed against it by the Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) with the National Labor Relations Board. PBUC is the subsidiary of minor league baseball which employs approximately 220 umpires in sixteen minor leagues in the United States and Canada. Under the terms of the settlement, PBUC is required to post a public government notice in every minor league park in the country and mail the notice to all employees, informing the umpires its employees that it will honor their rights to engage in union activities, and that it will not threaten striking employees with discharge or other reprisals, will not withdraw employment opportunities or threaten to demote employees if they fail to agree to PBUC’s contract offer, and will not fail to provide bargaining information requested by AMLU. The NLRB is requiring PBUC to post the notice for 60 days, and will monitor PBUC’s compliance with the terms of the settlement and notice posting.

Minor league umpires have been on strike since the start of the minor league season in protest of PBUC’s unfair labor practices, and to obtain a fair contract. The parties’ first collective bargaining agreement expired November 30, 2005. AMLU and PBUC are resuming negotiations with the assistance of a federal mediation in Cincinnati on Thursday, April 27. No progress was made in negotiations on Wednesday, April 26.

Also Wednesday, a replacement umpire was struck by a bat thrown by Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Delmon Young during the first inning of a game between the Durham Bulls and the Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket. The replacement umpire, who was not identified, called Young out on strikes. The incident follows an injury to Norfolk Mets player Victor Diaz after Diaz collided with a replacement umpire who was out of position on a base path.

Is this the big news you were referring to?

Most everyone in the world knew that the AMLU boys are striking for more money and improved benefits. The fact that PBUC intimated that they could be fired was a mistake but doesn't diminish the original issue. The Minor League umpires walked out - most of us have said that - and replacement umpires - most intelligent people use this term - have worked in their stead.

I enjoy the banter but it seems funny that you hung your hat on the idea that progress would be made. PBUC still holds the reins and the AMLU boys are still looking for scraps.

Most of the regular contributors to this board have lng held that the best umpires for that job are not working them. Even yours truly has maintained that the strike is a bad idea and they should continue to work for PBUC. Depsite your insistence, there is little passion for this matter on my end. I just can't belive that a few days ago you proclaimed that a huge step would be taken towards ending this strike. I didn't even see a baby step.

For what it's worth, does anyone recall the horror stories told by 'Minor League' umpires about how they were threatened or intimidated on the field and off. I believe one umpire told of having a player in a dugout fling a ball at him. Now we are hearing the bat story like it is only relevant to replacement umpires. The pinhead who launched it is the weak link here, not the other way around.

Yeah, right...that's apples to apples.

C'mon W, you're better than that!

D

I deleted the post about the Indoor Football being fired because it's humor wore thin. Apologies to the masses...

soon. very soon.

soon. very soon...

What - it'll be time to lie about another replacement umpire?
- time to post the name of another replacement umpire with photo?
- time to lock down the most slanderous part of the website?
- time to humiliate another official for just doing his job?


You aren't fooling anyone. When this issue is settled, you will have lost many friends and admirers. Lots of us thought that some of you were fine examples of dedication to the game. The very thought of asking you to speak in front of an impressionable group makes me nauseous. Pre-strike you asked for all umpires to unite and support those who do a thankless job. Now, you stab, smear and slander any guy that accepted those assignments. It doesn't matter to you if that guy makes $15,000 a year (not for a 5 month season, supplemented by additional income), you call him names and hold him up for ridicule. Your hypocrisy is disgusting...accept the offer and work the games in return for a chance at glory. If you wash out, you'll be like every struggling artist, musician or athlete. Some of us cleared the way so that the likes of you could hold our amazing past time hostage. I'm so embarrassed by the actions of the AMLU.

According to the Detroit News, the mediator brokered an agreement and the strike is effectively over.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...template=front.

The story is on the top-right under "AP Headlines".

6 Year Deal?
 

Salary and per diem are the primary issues.

But I want details. Give me details. \ ... /

Details? You want details? How about this...the current offer is almost exactly the same as the old one. If they take the offer, they're freaking nuts...the board has advised them to take the offer...so tell me...what in the world did they strike for?

A very disappointed ex-MiLB umpire :(

Are you serious? They went through all this to gain nothing except the knowledge that it is going to be PBUC's way or the highway! They already knew that. And a six year deal? I was told that was one of the major sticking points, I guess not. My question to the AMLU, how does this make it better for guys in the future? You guys said it wasn't about you, you didn't care about your jobs, and you just wanted to help MiLB umpires down the road. That is bull****! And you call the replacements "SCABS". Who is stopping the bleeding now, you stinking hypocrites?

MORE DETAILS:

The offer was not as good as the one they turned down before the season. Thert were offered an increase in per diem to $35 over the next six years (incrementally). The current offer is to raise per diem to $34 over the next six years, but with $1 more this year. I think i remember someone saying that they were striking to "make it better for the umpires who come behind us." Well, it appears that is not the case, they got more for themselves right now, and less for the guys who will be there in six years. Kinda sounds like "All for one....one for ME RIGHT NOW!" In a nutshell, a one month strike cost these guys (and gal) one month of pay and in return they recieved $160in additional per diem money. I am not an accountant, but that doesn't seem like a very good investment to me.

MORE DETAILS:

Don't be fooled into believing that the AMLU has accepted this deal! The press releases are stating that minor league baseball has a six year deal accepted by the AMLU. That is not true, simply not true. The membership will have to vote on this issue this weekend, and from what I've already heard, don't expect them to vote in the affirmative.

If they do, I hope that they never need to strike again, because PBUC will laugh them right off the face of the earth. If they turn it down, they're still on an even playing field...for now...

That's what happens when you keep knocking out the high dollar amounts in those briefcases. The offer from the bank goes down. Deal or no deal?

Article From MiLB.com
 

Some 6 Year Deal
 

I thought when you enter a LONG term contract, it was suppose to provide you with more money and STABILITY over the long term.

Signing a 6 year deal TODAY at a rate that is more than 6 years old doesn't satisfy the original purpose of a NEW long term contract.

How can those leaders ask members to ratify the measure that will set the AMLU back for a GENERATION?

Several weeks ago, I posted that the MiLB guys were screwed. Looks like I was right, unfortunately.

I don't think the AMLU has a position to bargain from, thanks to our fellow, "pond scum scabies" who took away any bargaining power they may have had.

Not only have I lost even more respect for the umpires in my association who crossed the line, I have the same disgust for those who try to justify them crossing. You want to talk to me about it, use your real name, address, and phone number. And lets make sure your family is involved in the conversation. I am sure they would be real proud of how you didn't support the plight of your brother MiLB umpires.

It takes a certain amount of intelligence to resist your own personal desires. Apparently, there were too many out there without the intelligence, or self respect to do so. The MiLB umpires are not a group of people who have been collecting windfall profits for years, and were being greedy with this attempt to better their situation. These guys are basically everyday working stiffs, trying to reach a dream, and sacrificing more than you would be willing to sacrifice to do it. Now, they have their own brothers to thank for their quest failing, and their situation worsening.

Will they take the deal ? I think they will, because if they don't, the next offer will be even worse. Don't blame the mediator, don't blame the AMLU, look in the mirror and then throw the brick !

I'm sitting here laughing...

Maybe I'll spend a few minutes and find my post from late last year about this mess. For almost six months I've preached that they should accept the latest offer and work on the the future with new leadership. They lost revenue from Spring assignments, a month worth of salary and the little respect they had. The actions thay took to destroy the image of amateur umpiring is inexcusable. Specific targets of their wrath will always remember the days when they were persecuted for doing their job.

I hope they do sign the deal and find that the 'career' they fought to protect leaves them behind. Then they'll realize that most of us understand that decisions have consequences. It's too bad that they have to find that out now.

This thread is awash in misinformation regarding the proposal that is on the table. How could anyone possibly know what the numbers included in it are without being privy to the information?

every thread on this topic is "awash in misinformation"

They don't, just like they haven't all along. But for some it is fun to speculate apparently.

get a grip
 

The fact is that there are thousands of good umpires out there and the AMLU has spent a disproportionate amount of time belittling their skills and the quality of their work. These are guys who take pride in what they do and who were shocked by the vicious attacks, late night phone calls, harassment, etc. from guys who call themselves "professional." What a load. To make matters worse many of these guys work side by side in Arizona and Florida in the Spring, and now they're told that the AMLU guys are too good to associate with them, and they get to watch while the AMLU guys celebrate a fellow umpire getting a bat thrown at him.

I didn't work as a replacement, wasn't asked to, never really considered doing so, but I have no problem with anyone who did. The union apologists can scream scab all they want but when they chose not to show up for work they gave a rare opportunity to the other thousands of skilled umpires out there, and I don't begrudge any of them for taking the chance to refine their skills in professional baseball. I bet a lot of them will have future opportunities as a result, e.g. injury fill-ins, etc.

On target
 

NEWS http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2421432

"The 220 minor league umpires around the country are seeking higher salaries and an increase in meal money. The average salary for Triple-A umpires is $15,000, with a per diem of $25.

"And it's been the same for the last 10 years," said Scott, who worked third base in the umpire crew with Iassogna and Kulpa at the Reds-Nationals game Monday night."

-------------------------------

I pray the AMLU umps are awashed in money, but I don't think PBUC had any choice but to hold the bottom line at the bottom. I shouldn't hear much about BAD news from AMLU members. I would expect that GOOD news in the form of PAY RAISES travels fast. Will I read about those details TODAY?

What's the difference?
 

Nick,

I took a look at your website (http://www.reegphoto.com/) and wonder what is the difference between what you do to local "studio" photographers and what the "pond scum scabies" are doing to the AMLU members.

You say that you will bring the studio to me for less than studio prices. You further state that your prices will beat the price of any local photographer.

Aren't you undercutting the ability of other local photographers to get a better price and make a living by pricing below them?

thats competition for you.

If they turn it down, MiLB will use replacements for the rest of the season and next season. MiLB and PBUC are effectively playing hardball. The agreement reached is almost exactly like the one turned down over the winter. The MiLB umpires with whom I've discussed this are not very happy about the agreement, and they're not very happy with their own union. Regardless, they feel as if they've been backed into a corner. If they don't accept it, they're going to be out of work for at least this year and next, probably for good. If they do accept it, they've literally wasted all this time and negotiation to get something that's almost exactly what they turned down months ago.

It's no accident, either, that the agreement is a 6-year one. There are some good reasons why MiLB and PBUC wanted such a long agreement. It gives THEM the advantage.

All in all, this is an agreement that is not very good.

The MiLBU did NOT walkout. The union went on strike. When a contract expires and a new on is not in place, the union can continue to work under the old contract until a new one has been adopted or it can go on strike. The MiLBU choose to go on strike and the umpires who choose to replace them can be called anything you want to call them, but they did stab their fellow brother sports officials in the back by working the games during a strike.

MTD, Sr.

I recoiled in disgust at this post. The AMLU brass screwed the pooch on this one. They instructed the membership to ignore Spring assignments...not governed by the PBUC system or the contract. They walked away from those games and the chance to advance their careers.

I have been intimately involved with union strikes over the years. Your assumption that I am a novice is ill placed.

The umpires who replaced those who consciously chose to refuse to work should be commended. They accepted assignments for the good of the game, challenged their abilities and withstood peltings by those who claim to be professional. I suspect that you find the posting of names, email addresses and photos of those who worked acceptable? Maybe you were also in favor of the threats they received? Nothing will ever salve the wounds created by the unions' hypocrisy.

I know plenty of union contractors that do side jobs for extra cash. They are taking money out of their fellow brothers' pockets and weakening the bargaining system by doing it. It amazes me when they cry foul for doing the same!

It is obvious from your reply, you feel that putting your umpiring career before you fellow umpire brothren. I feel very sorry for you because you must be a very lonely man.

MTD, Sr.

That type of pontificating is exactly what the AMLU boys did prior to walking out. (By the way, it is possible to walk out without a contract - check the language used by the Teamsters during the NY City garbage strike. The local 813 reps repeatedly said that they were walking out since they have been working without a contract since November.)

The MiLB umpire's union begged amateur umpires to support their decision by not accpeting their schedules. They pleaded and muttered about all umpires knowing how it feels to be abused and maltreated. Then...sit odwn for this, they turned on their brethren. Yes, the very same souls they tried to influence were now the targets of their terror. You cannot deny that their photo gallery was shameful - posting names and petty comments was really beneath them. These professional umpires espoused back street mentality - threats, retaliation and intimidation. Compound that with the hubris of a certain IL crew chief (I don't print names - this guy deserves no more attention) saying that the Delmon Young incident likely wouldn't have occured if a professional umpire had been on the field and you've got a new moniker: AMLU - Association of Men Lacking Understanding.

I have no qualms saying that I would support any umpire who chose to work those games. Obviously you have no qualms acting in such a shameful manner. I can't understand how you can justify what they did to their fellow umpires.

You claim to be of some influence in the basketball world. Do basketball officials regularly mock their colleagues and threaten their safety?

Most of us supported the need for our apprentice brothers to seek better salaries. A few of us took issue with the suggestion that the union wanting more say in player punishment and monitoring. Others felt that if you didn't want to accept the salary for the chance at glory, step aside - the schools are full of candidates. I considered the issue to be union brass driven. I almost always took specific issue with the when driving that bus into the ditch. I find little fault with the guys who are grinding it every day. That was until they started their senseless barrage on the amateur arbiter. Replacement umpires were necessary because the game is bigger than any umpire. Judging by the continuous stream of similar sentiment, I'd say I'm not alone in this judgement. You may want to ask around, but I'm pretty sure that glass house you're living in has a few cracks.

It appears that the AMLU voted the contract down, good for them.

If this is true, they may be awakening to what fools pass for their leadership. One needs only to look at the release of last Thursday:

The strike cannot officially end until the AMLU's membership votes to approve the deal, but that seems likely because the union bargaining committee is unanimously recommending that the deal be approved. That vote will be done by May 1, and if approved, the regular umpires should be back on the field by May 8. Details of the compromise were not immediately available.

"Our committee is pleased that the mediation process we proposed has resulted in a deal that will get our membership back on the field where they belong," union attorney Robert Weaver said in a joint release issued by the union and PBUC.

You and I rarely agree, Garth. If you go back over the last six months worth of posts about this topic, you'll find that I have long held that the AMLU brass are inept. I have not heard whether it passed or not, but if this is the case, my idea of disbanding the current union and signing individual contracts may prove fairly sound. Some of those boys should be out there right now, proving their worth and enjoying the talent they've been provided. Setting on the side getting rusty and bitter is a waste of time. I pray that they didn't just waste the last month.

Good for them
 

What will PBUC do?
a) Provide an incentive for AMLU to return to work for the good of the game.
b) Quickly invent an entirely new rating system that isn't any better over long run.
c) Spend the year rating new farts who have already past the picket line.
d) Train new umpires who will also ask for pay raises once they feel well qualified.

$90 bucks or BUST.

Here is a refreshing take on the replacement experience. Take note of what the local Skipper says about the umpires. Here is another example of a qualified umpire working those games because he enjoys the challenge and needs the money. I couldn't help snicker at the fact that as a league sanctioned 'emergency fill in' last year, he was paid $60 a game. This year, he makes $90.

http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.d...D=200660426057

Before the other side start saying that this podunk paper means nothing, I remind them of their postings and how they dismsissed the replacements as little better than LL umpires. Hmmmmm.......

$90 bucks or BUST. ??????????????

spend you time trying to get into a good college conference.

Try 200 - 300 per game.

Its not a refreshing take. I read the article and the guy is a scab.

MTD, Sr.

I put forth this idea. Since the AMLU and it's supporters seem to like calling names, take pleasure in seeing other umpires assaulted, and have resulted to intimidation, threats and public humiliation of those who are just trying to make a living, I purpose that all union supporters now be called scum.

I feel that this is only fair since they insist on denigrating those who would exercise their right to work and disagree with the "union" philosophy.

How about that Mark? Can we now refer to you as scum since you like to throw around the scab moniker so easily?

How does it feel to be called scum by the way? Does it make you mad? Get you angry? Do you feel like it is unfair and derogatory?

Now you know how we feel when your union supporters use the word scab so freely.

Yeah, that will catch on. :rolleyes:

Peace

Mark must have missed the part where the manager said that he realized that he needed to act like a professional and accept that errors are made by all umpires.

Mark continues to accept the idea that it is more professional to ridicule and terrorize your brethren in blue than to spend your time reorganizing the brass. The majority of MiLB umpires are good guys and deserve to work those games. They've been sold a bad batch of goods by the boys up top their union.

Go ahead and call teh replacements names and perpetuate the myth that they are incompetent. Calling the replacements 'scabs' is about as grating as referring to the AMLU guys as 'apprentices'. Except, one is getting the job done and being paid for it.

Personal item to MTD - You cavalierly dismissed that article. That was the one of the first replacement umpires I've seen, who isn't hiding and proud to admit that he is providing a valued service. As a former minor leaguer, he is more than qualified to work those games. How is the game suffering again?

I missed the memo that said I had to support unions. Can someone tell me when that directive came out. Everyone has a right to be pro or anti union, or not give two hoots either way. Anyone with a dissenting opinion is a scab or a scab lover? Bullsh*t.

Its not even a matter of whether one is pro-union or anti-union. It is just plain unethical and unprofessional for other officials to be umpiring these games while their officiating brethen are trying to bargin for better working conditions.

MTD, Sr.

Greener pastures
 

Just trying to help out, save the game, live the dream.

Taking a job before someone else takes it.

I'm sure he appreciates the extra $30 SCABS make.

So mumuch cheese and I'm not a FAT man.

Whoa, padnah'...it seems you've gotten tangled in your reins!

Here's a test: What is more unethical...

1) Posting the photographs, names, addresses and emails of the replacement umpires to further the terrorizing of those 'brethren'?

2) Making veiled threats that umpires may find their automobiles vandalized?

3) Threatening to blackball them within their local organizations?

You continue to dismiss these replacements as taking money out of the pockets of the 'real' minor league umpires. The 'real' umpires made the decision to not work those games. They walked away from their responsibilities and opportunities. The replacements often need the money just as much. Their bills seem to be less important than the AMLU guys' in your opinion.

The AMLU gang made a tactical error. Amateur umpiring has reached exceptional levels. Better schooling, desire and resources have shrunk the disparity that once existed between the ranks. They continue to resist the notion that they have been successfully replaced. PBUC has always had the upper hand and it is a shame that the AMLU guys failed to realize it. They blinked...

I do not like unions. Often they create better training programs and offer assistance to those who may need it. However, they also create a sense of complacency and mediocrity. That is not to say that some union members aren't prideful and provide superior services for the money. More often than not, the world see unions as greedy and corrupt. The better members are glossed over and forgotten. This is a case that displays terrible strategy and even worse bargaining skills. It is not Christmas and they weren't going to right a decades long wrong in one fell swoop.

Being anti-union does not make me hate the individual member umpire. I take issue with the way they have collectively tried to defame the amateur umpire. Indivdually, I have taken issue with Jim Shaw and Clint Lawson for pretending that this is only about economics. It is about power and desire to be recognized as more than trainees. The system pays them what they are worth. In an irony not lost on me, the replacements are making better salaries than some regulars. Do you still wonder why they crossed the picket line? Maybe that replacement umpire knows that his twenty games will pay for Junior's orthodonture or Missy's school clothes. I know, they are just 'scabs' who are taking advantage of someone else's misfortune. Keep telling yourself that...we all make choices based on what is important to our families. I don't call up the husbands of old girlfriends, shout names and threaten them for stealing relationships though. Stop trying to justify what they are doing as professional.

Go check out that AMLU roster again and see how many are married and have children. You'll be very surprised at what you see.

Who was going to umpire them then? A group of nuns complete with habit? Did you think they were going to cancel the games just because the umpires did not want to work them? That would have been really fair to everyone connected with the teams, huh? What about those people? The concession stand workers, janitors, parking personnel, etc.? What do they tell their families when they get home? "Gee, honey, the umpires walked off, so we don't get paid either. I guess we're going to be homeless now!"
The actions of these AMLU guys would have affected many other peoples lives if not for the brave men who stepped in to umpire the games that otherwise would have not been played.

Make no mistake, no pressure from the AMLU would have caused the cancellation of these minor league games.

I should get a royalty for that one SDS. Those very words rolled off my fingertips months ago. You'll never convince them that they aren't more important than the others.

Mark will never understand why it is okay for the AMLU members to f*^k many, many others over, but not acceptable for the replacements to make their house payments. The hypocrisy involved in his arguments are outrageous, even for a union guy.

In teh trickle down theory of umpiring, those who are the best stepped up and took those replacement assignments. By doing so, they opened up some games to others who now have a chance to prove themselves...and so on...and so on...

Yet, a few still insist that the integrity of the game is suffering. If God himself was calling the Yankees game, George would say that he missed a couple.

Game day perspective
 

The AMLU hasn't done anything to explain why they should earn a hefty raise this year.
Baseball management has not taken the AMLU bargaining position very seriously.

PBUC offered AMLU a $500 raise over a 140 game season. Each umpire would have earned an extra $3.57 a game.
How do you suppose PBUC came up with the rationale for $3.57 for all 15 leagues (A, AA and AAA)?

Can anyone find out how much the replacements are raking in?
Now, do you suppose PBUC has any kind of explanation from the bean counters?

Try reading the stories here and you'll find that plenty of info about pay schedules is available. I posted a story that showed an alternate made $60 a game last year and he now makes $90. That is less than some of us make for Juco and NCAA ball, but he was happy with it.

PBUC doesn't have to pay hotel, per diem, uniform and benefits to the independent contractors they are now using. The bean counters are very happy to have the AMLU guys looking for landscaping jobs.

As long as I can continue to annoy Windbag & SDS…….

The entire issue is based on two things:
1. Money
2. Respect

The good folks at MiLB and PBUC have only one goal – make as much money as possible, regardless of which they trample. In many ways they emulate the railway barons; lie, cheat, yellow press – as long as the money flows in who cares?

MiLB has zero respect for the players, fans, employees or the game itself. Why should they? MLB pays for the players, field staff and many other expenses. If they could make more $$$ on pig races, the warning tracks would get lane stripes.

Is it wrong for AMLU to ask for the recognition that they are in fact professionals? Granted that umpiring in the minor leagues is never going to make anyone rich or perhaps even comfortable paying a living wage is not an unreasonable request by any means.

The strike will end once MLB decides that the risk to their player investment has become too high for comfort. Until then, I fear that things will become more confrontational and less level-headed by both sides. (I do not and will never condone the actions of a few on both sides of this strike. Let us all hope they if nothing else, reasonable actions prevail).

Jim,

When the guys get released and replaced, can I come on out to SoCal and work a Cal League game or two with ya?

What you said here does not annoy me in any way. In fact, I agree with everything you said. Is it wrong for AMLU to ask for the recognition that they are professionals? Not at all. Nobody on this forum disputes this! Everyone here knows how sh*tty they have been treated by MiLB and PBUC. You are right! Nobody at these corporations gives a rat's a$$ about the AMLU. They are all about the cheddar, just like all rats are.

The issues we have with what is happening are these:

1. From Day 1 everyone in the AMLU knew that this is the way it is. Nobody promised them a rose garden here. Everyone knows what the term "Baseball's Narrowest Door" means. Let's not kid one another.

2. It seems that in walking off the job and not working these assigned games, the AMLU had the weird notion that the powers that be would just crumble to their knees begging them to return, and that there would be no baseball without them.

3. Then when the AMLU realized that, hey, they're gonna play ball with or without us, they started assailing and demonizing umpires for stepping in and taking their place, after assuming that nobody would dare cross the artificial line they drew. That was a really bad assumption on their part.

I will repeat again, ad nauseum, the fact that these games were going to get played (and umpired) whether the AMLU liked it or not. Most people are non-union in nature, not anti-union. Those people don't have to honor a picket line, and should not be condemned for not viewing the situation in the same light.

ONLY if you can keep up with these youngsters better than me! Danged knee is STILL slowing me down.

Steve,

For the most part I agree with your thoughts, though I still feel that one should not throw a fellow umpire under the bus (In this case by working his/her games).

The funny thing is that 90% of the time the fill-in/scab (Take your pick of terms) have helped solidify the AMLU message that it takes pro umpires to work the pro game.

Will the games be played? Without a doubt. Will player development be adversly affected? Long A & above yes, Rookie/Short A - perhaps / perhaps not.

There have been some minor injuries & a few close calls so far. I hope MLB steps in & takes control before someone is badly hurt (I don't care if it's a player or umpire).

You are amusing, not annoying...you give yourself far too much credit.

I'm tired so I'll make it brief, player development will not suffer with the bodies they have out there and the ones who will soon join them. The competency of the umpires has never factored into the equation to release or promote and individual. Eric Gregg was one of the most incompetent fools to walk the big league diamonds and I don't recall anyone being released because of his zone! Who are you kidding?

Listen to the International League President's interview. He is content with the umpires he sees and that is AAA! In fact, he knows that with the AMLU decision, his representatives have just made his job easier. They will contact the D1 crews and former minor leaguer blues to come do the work. They can handle anything that comes their way.

I enjoyed your response to Mr. B, how does that bum knee effect your ability to deliver the effort demanded by those players? Don't they deserve a fleet footed gazelle with twenty-twenty vision and unimpeachable morals out there? By your own admission, you aren't providing the quality that a 'regular guy' does. You make this far too easy.

I'm tired and I need my beauty rest or I'll look like Ernest Borgnine soon. (Yes, I know he's dead, that just makes it worse!)

Ernest Borgnine is 89 and very much alive.

Mark;

Please tell me why this is unethical. Please tell me why this is unprofessional.

Ethics are prinicipals drawn from long standing philosophical and religious documents. They often have a basis in the law as well.

Where in the Bible, Torah, or Koran does it tell one that he cannot do a job that someone else refuses to do?

What law has one broken if he takes a job as a replacement umpire?

Please name some established philosophers and a specific writing that makes it unethical to work as a replacement umpire.

Professionalism standards are drawn from published documents that have standing within the profession. Where in the "Instructions to Umpires, Rule 9, or other tomes of baseball does it prohibit umpires from working as replacements?

BTW, don't quote the Golden Rule to me. I've never been on strike and will never go on strike. There is simply no way that I can connect with "Do unto others..." in this situation. In may interest you to know that I am a card carrying union member of a public employees union. We are forbidden to strike. If my union ordered a strike, I would ignore their instructions.

Thanks,

Bob

Good Lord, you mean he just looks dead! I may be popping for some Botox soon...he doesn't look a day over ninety eight. Thanks for the update Rich and my apologies to all the Ernest Borgnine fans amongst us.

If you are looking for ethical considerations, you won't find in in any religious texts because that is not the ethical conduct to which I am referring. It is the ethical conduct of professionals and all sports officials whether they like it are not are participating in an profession that masquerades as an anvocation. Research the various codes of ethics for officials of organizations such as NASO, NFHS, ABUA, or IAABO; or the ASCE, ASME, NSPE, AMA, ADA, or AVA.

The minor league umpires have not had a raise in over ten years. Even my wife understood that what the minor leages wanted the umpires to receive was not very much for the job they do. Would you go out today and umpire a H.S. baseball game for the same game fee that you received ten or fifteen years ago? I seriously doubt it.

J. Dallas Shirley, would tell baseketball officials to never say never and never say always. So please do not say that you would never go on strike. There may come a day, and I hope you do not have to face that day, that you just might have to go on strike for some of the same reasons for which today's minor league umpires are stiking and I will bet dollars to donuts that you will be singing a different tune when a scab crosses a picket line to take your job.

And the excuse that if the scabs do not umpire the games who will is the reason that we umpires should be supporting the striking umpires rather that experiencing the experience of a lifetime at the expense of the striking umpires.

MTD, Sr.

If you are looking for ethical considerations, you won't find in in any religious texts because that is not the ethical conduct to which I am referring. It is the ethical conduct of professionals and all sports officials whether they like it are not are participating in an profession that masquerades as an anvocation. Research the various codes of ethics for officials of organizations such as NASO, NFHS, ABUA, or IAABO; or the ASCE, ASME, NSPE, AMA, ADA, or AVA. I did, can you please tell us what section you are referring to? Where does it say that the umpire is bigger than the game?

The minor league umpires have not had a raise in over ten years. Even my wife understood that what the minor leages wanted the umpires to receive was not very much for the job they do. Would you go out today and umpire a H.S. baseball game for the same game fee that you received ten or fifteen years ago? I seriously doubt it. Try comparing apples to apples; plenty of our members go to work for the same wages they had years ago. LL hasn't raised the rates they pay umpires in...forever. The armed forces are receiving the same pay rate they did ten years ago. Hmmmm...

J. Dallas Shirley, would tell baseketball officials to never say never and never say always. So please do not say that you would never go on strike. There may come a day, and I hope you do not have to face that day, that you just might have to go on strike for some of the same reasons for which today's minor league umpires are stiking and I will bet dollars to donuts that you will be singing a different tune when a scab crosses a picket line to take your job. I loved that movie...Baseketball was terrfic. Those officials looked like they were having fun. Ohhhhhh, you meant another amateur sport...sorry, but my head is still spinning from the gibberish. Your sentence "There may come a day..." made some of Rut's look like Pulitzer stuff.

And the excuse that if the scabs do not umpire the games who will is the reason that we umpires should be supporting the striking umpires rather that experiencing the experience of a lifetime at the expense of the striking umpires. Take a breath and try multiple sentences. Even the IL President said that the games would still be played, no matter where they had to find umpires. The fact that they only had to look in their back yards tells a tale of woe for the AMLU. You keep insisting that these replacements are doing it for the experience of a lifetime. Why do you think they all won the lottery? When the MLB guys walked out, did those replacements work just for the experience or because they were the best available and were asked? The games still counted and a couple of those guys earned spots in the Show. Switch to decaf and stop reading what your union is sending you. Life is too short to think that one side is always correct.