What is going to happen to MiLB now?

[Sal Giaco]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

I think the quality of umpiring would improve over the current system

IMO, the Minor League Umpire union is not what I call a "true" union to begin with and frankly I do not understand why a Minor league Umpire would want to join such a Union.

Under the Current system, when an umpire makes it to Triple "A" they have maybe 2/3 yrs. tops to make it to the "show" If they don't they receive a letter in the mail that states "major league baseballl no longer requires your services".

Now what happens to these guys? For all their hard work and sacrifices they are told to go home. No Severance package No nothing. What kind of Union is that. If you want to know what a "true" union is look at the Teamsters who have been around a long time. You pay dues but you get something out of it.

Therefore, if the Minor League Umpires unions folds, perhpas you will see the Triple A guys who have been told to go home in the past re-surface and they will probably have a better chance to make it to the "show" under a new structure then they did under the old one.

Don't you think that there were Talented umpires who made it to triple A that were told to go home?

In Summary: IMO, The quality of umpiring should improve because the talented umpires in Triple A will who did not make it to the "Show" in the time alotted will now have a better chance by being independent contractors.

Therefore, I would not be surprised if these types of umpires are already working.

There's plenty of talent out there, they just need a chance. In addition, the MLB Umpire Union should hire some "old vets" ala Steve Palermo to be mentors for these young guys.

A new structure is needed.

Pete Booth

Pete,
I think that's an interesting statement regarding an improvement in the umpiring if they go to independent contractors. As far as ex guys getting a shot in the bigs - I really don't see that happening. Here's why...

If you look at the numbers - three of the next five big league jobs are already accounted for (Davidson, Hallion and Hickox have slots #1, #3 & #5). I think Barksdale is a lock for the #2 spot and Gooch or Drake will probably get #5 slot.

So five current MLB umpires will have to retire for these five guys to move up. Let's just guess that Froemming, Brinkman, Young, West & Montague are the next to go. After that, Marsh, Cousins, Crawford, Reilly and maybe MCClelland are the only ones left that are near retirement. I think those 22 guys that came up in '99 really caused a back log and thus, there really won't be a need to replace many MLB umpires in the next 10 yrs.

I could be wrong but I'm just looking at it from a numbers standpoint.

[PeteBooth]

[I][QUOTE=Sal Giaco]Pete,
I think that's an interesting statement regarding an improvement in the umpiring if they go to independent contractors. As far as ex guys getting a shot in the bigs - I really don't see that happening.

Sal my main point was that under a new structure ala independent contractors, Triple A Umpires who were told to go home in the past could still work Minor League games. You are probably right in that they have little if no chance to make it to the Bigs.

IMO , the major improvement would be in the fact that Triple "A" Umpires who did not make it to the "show" could still umpire professional baseball under a new structure. They wouldn't simply have to go home and try and find "other" work.

I guess we will have to wait and see.


Pete Booth

[Tim C]

Have you heard anything such as the following:

MLB is structuring the MLB umpire system so that the process will automatically retire an umpire when he completes his 25th year of MLB service no matter what his age.

Regards,

[Sal Giaco]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Have you heard anything such as the following:

MLB is structuring the MLB umpire system so that the process will automatically retire an umpire when he completes his 25th year of MLB service no matter what his age.

Regards,

No - I did not hear that

[Justme]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Have you heard anything such as the following:

MLB is structuring the MLB umpire system so that the process will automatically retire an umpire when he completes his 25th year of MLB service no matter what his age.

Regards,

Sounds something like what airline pilots have. There is a 'hard' max age limit (age 60). You are retired when you turn 60.

[MrB]

Jiggy,

Ok, for get about the high school umpire, and the older ncaa guys that you classified as 15 lbs overweight. Could you work? Not would you work, but could you work? Are you still good enough? Are there more former pro guys than current ones that could work, not would, but could? Now lets consider the top level DI guys, the 100 or so regional guys and the evn larger number that are good enough just haven't broken through yet. Like someone pointed out, there are some weak spots, areas where either guys aren't working or there aren't guys good enough, but if it is the first, then could it be improved by a new system. Like Sal said, it is probably best for all to have a system where guys don't have to give up their life if the can work regionally until it is time to get a look for the bigs. Different yes, but maybe better?

[dokeeffe]

It's more than D1 and ex-pros that are doing games. Lower level college guys and even high school umpires are currently working. A manager from Clearwater FL was quoted the other day as saying that he had not seen all that much difference between the replacement umpires and the striking guys. True, that isn't AAA but still.....

It doesn't look like the gate has been hurt by the strike. So................. what does MiLB have to gain by further talks?

I did spring traing MiLB game here in FL and asked a number of players from rookie to AAA what was the biggest difference thay saw. You may be surprised that the comment I heard most was that we were "more approachable". For the most part we were all older guys - more mature - but maybe more importantly, having a ball doing these games. No attitudes, no having anything to prove. I've heard from guys doing the FL State League that they hear the "approachable" thing there as well.

At this time MiLB baseball does not "need" the striking umpires. These young men need to be carefull. This could carry on for some time (a year or more) or the union could find itself with no authority. Trust me, there will always be umpires that will call ball in the minor leagues. Their skill will improve as they do more games. As they do more games, MiLB will be less inclined to do ANYTHING for the striking umpires.

[SAump]

I resemble that. I get the same comments doing JV ball. I'm approachable.
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"(hint- the group of guys who suddenly think that at 45 years old, 15lbs overweight, and without umpire school training that they will be given "a shot" because of the strike are very very sadly not in touch with reality.)"
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This ARGUMENT (US not being qualified) is about as DRY AS TOAST by NOW.
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I resemble that 15 lbs UP at a healthy 250. Add another 20 lbs loss and I may bottom at 215 (NAH). I keep passing UP on taking a SHOT because it isn't a very good one (LOW PAY). Let me find an OPENING for an assist.

Why don't YOU AMLU-types try to REFOCUS on REAL (T)ISSUES. I cannot think of a VALID REASON for you to consistently slam on HS, JV and LL UMPS. It must make you feel better to slam US and to get that off your chest. I hope you feel better at our expense. You're either too damn scared to focus on yourself and your own problems, or to damn stupid to contribute to anything like a valid opinion or solution. I hope this advice helps you straighten out some of your personal feelings.
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[SAump]

You paint with a BROAD brush.
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There also is an issue of maintaining a minimum standard of quality of umpiring, meaning:

The good umpires want more money. Every league/level faces this problem and does the best with what they have.
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PBUC is a nationwide minor league-wide program with the purpose of making sure every minor league umpire has been taught the same thing, and performs the same way.

Most good umpires go through PRO-level training programs and pay $$$ for the opportunity to do it. Every league/level faces this problem and does the best with what they have.
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This is very much not the case at the high school and college levels, as even basic mechanics and terminology vary greatly from league to league conference to conference assignor to assignor.

That is a stretch. We all start with the basics and only get BETTER. I suppose it wouldn't hurt if the top dogs meet every so often to iron out those differences. Oh, they DO!
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You get people who have no business teaching others anything giving their opinion on mechanics, rules interpretation, etc and guys must pay attention because they won't get games otherwise.

BIGUMP56 felt the same way about a BABE RUTH clinic. Every league/level faces this problem and does the best with what they have.
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As appealing as the idea of going to work minor league ball in the evenings and coming back home every night is, there are far too many reasons why it would not work very well (or would work but at the detriment of the quality of umpiring or at least consistency of umpiring from area to area).

Chain gangs are very productive, but experience has a PRICE. Every league/level faces this problem and does the best with what they have.
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The PBUC system isn't perfect, but its not all bad either, and it has been and still is a far better way to do things compared to high school and college baseball.

You must not read very WELL. Don't you read the threads.
Headline NEWS: MLB UMP KICKS ANOTHER CALL, PRO UMP reacts like a DUCK out of water.
Things are better now than 20 years ago. That doesn't mean things are so great.
Every league/level faces this problem and does the best with what they have.