Business as usual...

[NIump50]

Originally Posted by lawump

Exactly...the team's front office official (i.e. the team's President in the that story) says, "everything's going great. The replacements are doing just as good a job." (to paraphrase). Of course he would say that, he's clearly on the managment side of the MiLB/AMLU debate. His immediate boss, and the person he represents, is the team owner(s) who will have to pay the umps more. I haven't seen one team or league President (or team owner) say anything different.

However, in the same story, his own on-the-field manager says, (to paraphrase again) "No one should worry about the replacements, but we need the regulars back." Of course, he won't say anything bad about the replacements ...he's worried they'll read what he says because he still has to deal with them every day. But, there's no hiding that he clearly states that he wants the regulars back.

Seems to be that's another story of an on-field manager, coach or farm director saying we need the regulars back, despite what the person who signs their paycheck thinks.

We're apparently not disagreeing about much here, but if the managers don't care what the regulars think then why would they care what the replacements think?
And yes I was being slightly sarcastic.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

What umpire actually cares what a player or skipper thinks about his call?

All of this handwringing over a few skippers saying that the umpires are awful - good Lord, that's been going on for 100 years! George Steinbrenner just chastised an MLB umpire and said that his team deserves better! The LL trvelling coach at the rec field thinks he deserves a WUA crew too.

Listening to what players and skippers say about umpiring...you guys make me laugh.

[lawump]

Originally Posted by WhatWuzThatBlue

Listening to what players and skippers say about umpiring...you guys make me laugh.

Yeah, but if enough of them complain (fairly or not) to management...then management may listen...which may resolve the dispute in AMLU's favor...

Perception is everything. For instance, if everyone had thought that the Young incident happened because the umpire was a replacement then that would have been good for AMLU. (I'm not saying everyone did think that...as I said above I for one don't). But if enough "clueless" players and managers think the replacements are to blame for various things (right or wrong) AND more and more complain to management that is good for AMLU's position.

The other thing that would be good for AMLU's position, of course, is if various media has stories stating that the replacements are causing various problems. This also puts pressure on management.

I believe this behavior on the major league level helped bring about desirable results in past MLB umpires strikes.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by lawump

Yeah, but if enough of them complain (fairly or not) to management...then management may listen...which may resolve the dispute in AMLU's favor...

Perception is everything. For instance, if everyone had thought that the Young incident happened because the umpire was a replacement then that would have been good for AMLU. (I'm not saying everyone did think that...as I said above I for one don't). But if enough "clueless" players and managers think the replacements are to blame for various things (right or wrong) AND more and more complain to management that is good for AMLU's position.

The other thing that would be good for AMLU's position, of course, is if various media has stories stating that the replacements are causing various problems. This also puts pressure on management.

I believe this behavior on the major league level helped bring about desirable results in past MLB umpires strikes.

The US media should not be used for self-serving purposes. The AMLU should report the facts. A 20% payraise and $40 per diem doesn't sound like the moon and the stars. Baseball has generated record REVENUES over the last 5 years and umpires have not seen a DIME over the last 10 years. The question remains should single A umpires bring home $12,000 per year, AA umps $18,000 per year and AAA umps $24,000 per year? I find that baseball can put UP the money. It just doesn't want too.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by SAUmp

The US media should not be used for self-serving purposes. The AMLU should report the facts. A 20% payraise and $40 per diem doesn't sound like the moon and the stars. Baseball has generated record REVENUES over the last 5 years and umpires have not seen a DIME over the last 10 years. The question remains should single A umpires bring home $12,000 per year, AA umps $18,000 per year and AAA umps $24,000 per year? I find that baseball can put UP the money. It just doesn't want too.

The fact that a company is profitable means little too this equation. MiLB pays the umpires what they think is fair and compensatory. The boss dictates what the employee gets paid. If the employee doesn't want to work for those wages, they can leave. If their field of expertise is very limited, that choice is painful.

Please don't keep referring to their salaries as 'annual'. The average PBUC season is 3-5 months. It is a seasonal job, like a fruit picker or snowplower. Those who perpetuate the myth that MiLB umpiring is a career are lying. Unless there is a MLB opening, PBUC will get rid of you in 7-10 years even if you are very good. That is a far cry from a career.

It's been over a month and we keep hearing the same stories. This is getting old.