What is going to happen to MiLB now?

[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.