it's over
 

heard from a MiLB ump that strike is over. They will be back on the games June 12 at the latest

Wow, let me be the first to say:http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_125.gif

My relief and joy is tempered by the fact that the AMLU leadership and attorney said it was over the last time, too. Then the ballots were counted.

My understanding is the ballots won't be counted until tomorrow.

I hope you're right.

you're understanding is incorrect. it's over. vote on proposal passed and the contract has been ratified.

My mistake would be reading the AMLU notice last week when they said that voting would run until Tuesday.

Congratulations, then. It's wonderful news, indeed.

I just had a friend tell me the strike was over through instant messaging. I am sure he is not telling me this if it was not pretty certain of being true.

Peace

Nothing about it HERE

I'll believe it when the vote from the body of the membership has been tallied.


Tim.

That is awesome news...I can't wait to see a perfectly umpired game.

Deal
 

What's the deal?

votes were tallied last night, 62%yes, 38%no, about 45members did not vote. both lawyers are talking today about getting the umpires back on the field.

Minor league umpires end strike By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
12 minutes ago

Minor league umpires settled their season-long strike, ratifying a six-year contract Tuesday that calls for a $100 monthly salary increase.

Umps had said their salaries previously averaged $15,000 at Triple-A, $12,000 at Double-A, $10,000 in full-season A-ball and $5,500 in rookie leagues.

As part of the new deal, per diems rise $3 to $28 at Triple-A, $25 at Double-A and $23 at Class A. They will rise gradually to $40 at Triple-A in 2011, $35 at Double-A and $30 at Class A.

Umpires will return to work by June 12. They had been on strike since minor league seasons began April 6.

"Our goal from the beginning of these negotiations was to obtain a fair contract," Andy Roberts, president of the Association of Minor League Umpires, said in a statement. "It has been a tough struggle, but an important one for our membership. Now it's time to get back on the field. The umpires are ready to work, and we look forward to the rest of the season."

Umps and the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation agreed to a contract April 27, but umpires rejected that agreement by a 2-1 margin on May 1. The sides resumed talks last Wednesday with the assistance of a federal mediator.

"Late Friday, the AMLU made a proposal to settle the strike that PBUC agreed was acceptable," management lawyer George Yund said in an e-mail Tuesday.

Isnt that the same deal they rejected in the previous vote?


If not, whats different?

The difference in what they settled for and what was turned down by a 2-1 vote on the last proposal was $1 per day. The $100 increase was on the table from the beginning. This was stated to be unacceptable. Andy and his minor league guys got a helluva deal. WOW


Minor league umpires settled their season-long strike, ratifying a six-year contract Tuesday that calls for a $100 monthly salary increase.

Umps had said their salaries previously averaged $15,000 at Triple-A, $12,000 at Double-A, $10,000 in full-season A-ball and $5,500 in rookie leagues.

As part of the new deal, per diems rise $3 to $28 at Triple-A, $25 at Double-A and $23 at Class A. They will rise gradually to $40 at Triple-A in 2011, $35 at Double-A and $30 at Class A.

Umpires will return to work by June 12. They had been on strike since minor league seasons began April 6.

"Our goal from the beginning of these negotiations was to obtain a fair contract," Andy Roberts, president of the Association of Minor League Umpires, said in a statement. "It has been a tough struggle, but an important one for our membership. Now it's time to get back on the field. The umpires are ready to work, and we look forward to the rest of the season."

Umps and the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation agreed to a contract April 27, but umpires rejected that agreement by a 2-1 margin on May 1. The sides resumed talks last Wednesday with the assistance of a federal mediator.

"Late Friday, the AMLU made a proposal to settle the strike that PBUC agreed was acceptable," management lawyer George Yund said in an e-mail Tuesday.

Please explain
 

Can you explain? To us country folk it sounds like you're saying that they missed two months of pay to get an extra $30 per month per diem. I'm not real strong at math but it seems like that would take quite a while to make up for the salary they lost by striking.

there are other incentives that were not included in the AP release.

No mention is made regarding the travel for foriegn umpires that was a point in the beginning. But the settlement apears to be $1/day delta from the initital offer.

You can never expect to make up what you have lost in the time you have been out. It rarely, if ever, happens.

They have lost approximately nine weeks salary (depending on level worked). They will never get that back.




Doug

You are correct Div2ump
 

The last offer from MILB was for a $2 per day raise in the per diem. This was voted down. The AMLU propsed a $3 per day raise in the per diem and it was accepted. The $100 raise has been there from the beginning. So to answer your question, yes they missed 2 months salary to get an extra $30 per month meal money.

One of the truisms of most labor breaks in any industry is their is often no winner. Relationships are hurt, trust is lost, judgments leapt too. Over money :(

What happened was a mix of younger umpires who fear their career was about to end before it started and a mix of older umpires who honestly still believe they have a shot at the big leagues turned into a bunch of wussies...scared scared scared.

I'm ashamed to admit that at one point I called myself a member of the AMLU...

Has anyone else noticed a few members are conspicuous through their absences.

I can't recall, who was it that wrote, "Take the hundred dollars a month and ask for a small increase in per diem - you'll never get more than a few bucks, not the national average - and forget about having any control over player/coach discipline. Get back on the field before you lose even part of the season. You aren't as important to the game as you suspect and the amateurs will do a better job than you think."

Hmmmmmmmm?

As much as it pains me (The stiches are going into my lower lip & tongue as I type) Windy was mostly correct. I think he missed the end date by a bit, but why hold that against him?

The AMLU folks made too many mistakes in this negotiation. MilB made very few - guess who came out ahead?

It's going to be interesting in two years when WUA goes into negotiations with MLB. Union merger anyone?

How was Windy right? There was a contract dispute. They resolved the contract. The issue was never just about money. I never got the impression from those that actually are Minor League Umpires that they expected a huge raise or to get rich while umpiring. Most of what I have read here had little or nothing to do with the issues that were on the table. For the most part all of us were on the sidelines, giving our opinions and hoping for something to happen that would prove us right. As far as I am concerned, nothing was resolved and at the end of the day from what I have read and most Minor League umpires wanted to work. You can blame the leadership or try to say, "They were not as important as you think you were" BS all day long. Mostly what I heard was these guys were going to get fired and the "scabs" would get their job. That did not happen at all.

Peace

J,

Windy was correct on specific points along the way. Give the man his due; he made some correct observations - nothing more, nothing less.

My opinion of many posts & some posters ... well, they can't be printed here.

Give him credit for what? If you want to give some poster credit that you will never meet and he will never give any real information that is what you have the right to do. All we were saying here was opinions. I do not care who was on the money or not on the money. That is not why I shared my opinion on the subject. I never came here trying to predict the future. I came here to stand what I felt and the resolution of this strike in no way changes the way I feel about the sides and the position people take.

Peace

It is just a stating point. How long is the life of the contract?

Six years.

Will there be gradual raises?

Not in salary.

What happens further down the road will count more than what happens today.

The only thing happening down the road is another couple of bucks per diem.

A lesson was learned this time around.

We can only hope. If AMLU has new leadership soon, you may be proven right.

Time is on the AMLU's side now.

You gotta be kidding. If anything, management's position is even stronger and the AMLU has proven to be inept.

On EBAY
 

Umpire Equipment Lot MLB-Minor-Semi Pro LOW RESERVE !!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Umpire-Equipment...QQcmdZViewItem

Someone is way ahead of you.

According to a previous post, 45 (roughly 20%) of the membership did not cast a ballot. This could have been the difference in the vote to ratify. Who wouldn't vote on a decision so important?

If you want to be mad, I guess I'd be mad at those 20%.

Don't lose the love of the game, Clint. Give it a few days.

Raw Deal
 

I think the AMLU got a bloody nose. They deserve a better deal, but it will be interesting to watch this board develop . . . Those who cracked on them for making their own choice to strike will be tempted to crack on them for choosing to accept the contract. No win. What motivates those folks? Jealousy? Hatred? Who knows? Who cares?

A buddy at Triple A expressed this sentiment- "Dude, I'm just happy to be getting back to work."

Now we'll have to find something else to fight about on this board. Don't worry, if there isn't something real soon, there are a few who will invent something.

Strikes and outs!

I don't remember too many people cracking on them for striking. I do recall some of us cracking on them for abandoning their jobs and getting upset that some folks stepped in and did the jobs they refused to do.

Everybody in the free world knows that MiLB umpires are underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated. That was not the point the anti-AMLU crowd was making. All the "scab" this and "scab" that got old real quick, and many of us felt that there was no reason for this vitriol.

Everyone knew that the replacement umpires were not as good of quality as the pros. Duh!!! Most of them did do the best they could though, and the games did need umpires, and were going to be played, regardless of any umpire work-stoppage.

I am glad the pro guys are coming back. I would have loved to see them get better treatment from MiLB. They always have deserved more money and benefits, and it's a shame they didn't get as much as they should have.

Damn!! Been out of the game for one day and people already want to buy my plate gear??

As a good buddy said yesterday, the last proposal took them from slave wages to slave wages plus a hot dog. The ratified proposal is slave wages plus a double cheeseburger.

It sounds like some people won't be going back.

Hey Amlu.....held Out For A "great Deal"...????
 

Bottm Line Here The Ones That Voted For The Strike To End Had Enough Sense To See The Writing On The Wall.....

End The Strike Or Find Another Job......

The Amlu Wants You To Believe That The Integrity Of The Game Was At Stake And That The So Call Replacement Umpires Couldn't Handle The Job On The Field. Well That Is Pure.....horse.....sh..

Yes There Was A Few Problems But At Every Level Of Baseball Every Year There Are Problems From The Major Leagues To Little League....

They Held Out For Almost Half Of Their Season And For What....that Almighty Extra Dollar Of Meal Money.....

Hey Guys.....great Deal......

It Will Be Fun To See How Many Of The 220 Return To Work For All That Money And Rumor Has It That The Fearless Leader.... A Roberts Himself "will Not" Be Returning To Work.......

I Can Wait To See Perfection Return To Minor League Baseball.....

Just make a post about how you think a base ump should use a clicker.

Oh, I get it now. This is what BlueLawyer meant by the petty, jealous, hateful people cracking on the AMLU members.

You know something? It is very annoying to read capitalization of every word in sentences.:(

Its not called a 'clicker,' you moron!




;) ;) ;) ;)

I keed, I keed, lighten up, Francis

What, pray tell, are the other incentive?

F-you, LMan, it is too!:rolleyes:


Tim.

What's in a name
 

I call mine a "clicker". I'm talking about the little thing with numbers and wheels I keep in my ball bag, not the thing under my cup.

Strikes and outs!

*laughs*


poke, poke

:D

SCUMP Quote

It Will Be Fun To See How Many Of The 220 Return To Work For All That Money And Rumor Has It That The Fearless Leader.... A Roberts Himself "will Not" Be Returning To Work.......



Mr. Roberts may indeed be labeled fearless. But the irony is that he is being called out by a guy who won't post his name. Mr. Roberts was at least willing to stand by his decisions. The AMLU members have earned the right to make their choices and accept a contract. You have earned the right to hide in anonymity and be a shallow person. Grow up and move on. They will return to work because they are the best at what they do. They took a stand and it didn't pay off financially. But again, they took the risk and stood up to their employer. Does that make them all fearless? No. But it makes them honorable because they were willing to do so and be held accountable for their actions.

In my opinon, Mr. Roberts has made many questionable decisions and has exhibited less than competent leadership qualities.

The membership, deserving of everything they were seeking, and new to the whole "union thing", followed his lead. Every umpire I know who is experienced with labor issues agreed that management had the cards and the willingness to wait out the AMLU. Management clearly won this round and has learned enough to give them the edge next time as well.

Management guessed that replacements could be found and that the fans would stick around. They were right.

The AMLU was caught off guard by the number and willingness of replacements, especially those at the D-1 level. Despite being warned, they were also seemingly surprised at management's willingness to accept lesser quality rather than settle. All of this was predictable and predicted.

Roberts and his crony attorney were inept and guessed wrong not only about management, but about their membership as well.

Hopefully, the membership will reflect on this situation and, regardless of who they choose to replace Roberts, will ask tougher questions and demand that all alternatives be explored next time.

It is great to have the MiLB umpires back. I believe that with the right leadership and proper preparation and strategy, they will succeed in the future where they failed this season.

Overall, I think nearly everyone supported the MiLB umpires, but not the AMLU. They are two different entities that even the replacements were able to separate.

Again, just my opinion.

1) AMLU guys say: "gimme more money," they are "honorable".
2) MiLB says: "we wanna keep our money", they are less than "honorable."
3) AMLU guys take amateur assignments even though they said they would not--'tis ok, they are just taking assignments offered by the assignor.
4) Amateur guys take assignments offered in MiLB and they are bottom feeding, scum-sucking, SCABS!
5) AMLU post personally demeaning(some would say threatening) photos and they get a pass by their supporters.

Does anyone see a pattern?

Joe

Not surprised ...................
 

At our union ratification meeting in April (USW), only 99 out of 145 took the time to vote.

Unions are dying, mostly by their own hand.




Doug

Garth nails this one. I don't see how it could be explained any better.

If you don't see the truth of this post then it makes sense that you don't see the pattern he is pointing out.
Take the AMLU blindfolds off and just maybe you'll make some sense.

AMLU AND ITS MEMBERS.....WALKING CONTRIDICTION.......WE WILL WORK WHAT WE WANT.....WHEN WE WANT.......BUT YOU BETTER NOT WORK OURS....OR WE WILL CALL YOU A SCAB........HMMMMM

:confused:

Beating a dead horse to glue
 

SCUMP,

I think anybody but the most partisan AMLU apolgists is aware of the union hypocrisy, but the strike's over, can't we put this to bed?

I heard that AMLU guys can't believe they held out only to cut the deal that was finalized and that guys are retiring in droves.

NCAAers, Beware of droves
 

I think many are retiring in droves because they have more info on what the alternative markets will bear. Many now realize the MiLB market was sullied by a strong demand for NO PAY. Fortunately, some parents and some REAL jobs put more food on the table than the more demanding 5-month, part-time PRO JOB. Unfortunately, a demand for a reasonable LIVING WAGE of 12,000 for Single A, $17,000 for Double A, and $24,000 for Triple A has been placed on hold for five more years. Assigners take notice, $90 or BUST!

Bubba pay his bills at $60 per game.
Smitty earns his pay at $100 per game.
Charlie enjoys his pay at $150 or more per game.
Life goes on for everybody.

hey if the deal was so bad why ratify it?????

the amlu and its members should have figured it out by now....minor league baseball doesnt give a rats *** about them an hello they never will.....so go back to work and dont spend that extra 30 bucks a month all at the same place

You know what, its real easy for all of you guys who arent MiLb guys to sit here and question their decision about striking, not accepting the first contract, and then ratifying this one. Think about it for a second and tell me that those are easy decisions and then maybe you can criticize them, but for now why dont you leave those guys alone and let them get back to work to do something they LOVE to do or else they obviously wouldnt go through all of this. Im just tired of all the critics who dont know what it is like to be in their situation.

LOL!!! Doing a demanding job that you are not paid very well for? Yeah, I guess NOBODY in the whole world knows what it is like to be in their situation! LOL

Spare me.

The AMLU membership would garner a bit more sympathy if they conducted themselves better, and didn't think they were god's gift to umpiring. I personally have grown VERY tired of the pompous attitude of minor league umpires (current AND ex). God for bid if you should ever try to tell one of these guys THEY aren't doing something very well. They look at you like you cut a fart in a perfume shop.

Anyway............I was hoping they would hold out longer! I have had a great time umping PCL ball, and am enjoying a respectful relationship with the players!

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, SCUMP IT.

LATER (SCUM)P......:p

Hey Lorenz.....i Have Been There Done That.....4 Years Of Pro Ball....so Stuff A Sock In It Would Ya.....

The Current Amlu Umps Knew The Score When They Took The Job....so If You Dont Like The Wages.......well Dont Let The Screen Door Hit Where The God Lord Split Ya On The Way Out.....

One Thing Is For Sure.....i Wont Call Your Leaders To Negotiate The Next Car I Buy Much Less My Pay Check....

So If You Dont Like It........well........see Ya

Well, Thanks For All The Great Contributions You've Made To The Official Forum. I Can't Imagine How We Ever Got Along Without You.:eek:



Tim.

Scump you and the pompous *** you rode in on !!!

So, they have a tough working condition. I used to work for a roofer. Let me tell you, I made a LOT less per month doing that than umpires in Pro ball make. I DON'T feel sorry for them in the least! It is hardly considered "work" when compared to other work.

Most amature umpires will state "I won't umpire for free, but I don't do it for the money". THAT is dedication to the "profession" of umpiring.

One distinction we should make is that when I "stand for something", I don't quit doing my job while I go through the channels to say what I want to "higher ups" to hear. Generally, if I have a pretty strong case, and am persuasive, I might get a bit of what I am after. But, it isn't like guys doing high school and college ball don't have their own money gripes! But, I can't remember the whole of us EVER going on strike because the money is crummy!

The "fine based system" ONLY went as far as talking to the press. I didn't see managers EVER holding back on coming out on an ump in the games I did. So, whatever. Time and time again I heard from players and 1st base coaches about how they sort of liked us better because were at least "approachable" concerning calls. Maybe the AMLU guys can learn something from that. ;) Doubtful, but we can hope!

I removed my post. PDX and SCUMP aren't even worth the words.

So you just don't have anything useful to add. Ok.;)

You are not worth my words. but since you are so set to read something, try reading some of the players and managers words...I highlighted a few of my favorites.




June 1, 2006, 05:05:31 AM PDT

TODAY: Bakersfield at Modesto, 7 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Samuel Deduno (2-1, 3.89) will start for Modesto against Blaze righty John Bannister (1-5, 5.53).

COMING UP: Tuesday's game opened a seven-game, six-day homestand for the Nuts. Bakersfield is here through Thursday, then Stockton comes to town for a 7:05 p.m. single game Friday, a 5:05 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1:05 p.m. single game Sunday.

RETURN OF THE MEN IN BLUE -- The regular minor-league umpires will be back on the field no later than June 12, and players and coaches alike are counting the innings.

The season-long strike ended Tuesday morning, when the Association of Minor League Umpires agreed to a six-year contract that included a $100 per month wage increase and an immediate $3 per diem bump. Under the previous contract, Single-A umpires made $10,000 for the five-month season plus $20 per diem, in addition to reimbursement for travel and lodging.

While the regular umpires have been on strike, their spots have been filled by umpires from the high school and college ranks.

"It's nice to know we'll have guys back who will know the rules," said Modesto Nuts manager Chad Kreuter. "They won't be calling the high school and college slide rules. We've seen that, and at those times the umps have been confused. You recite the big-league rule to them and they give you a deer in the headlights look."

Players were instructed in spring training to refrain from arguing with the replacement umps as much as possible. Still, looks of frustration on the field have been frequent, particularly on batters walking back to the dugout following a called third strike.

"These temporary guys started out OK, then they got really, really bad, then they got a little better," said Nuts outfielder Matt Miller. "But overall, they've been pretty bad.

"I've seen them catering to the home team and catering a little bit to the better pitchers, who get every call on the corner. I hope the real umpires come back and do a much better job."

Some pitchers have been able to take advantage of the strike zone of the replacement umps because of a strange consistency -- the zones have seemed to get wider late in games.

"You have to love that," said Nuts reliever Jarrett Grube. "We've seen late in close games where the umpires will open up the strike zones and give you the strikeout to end the game. But our hitters don't know what to look for. A pitch will be a ball the whole game and suddenly it will be called a strike.

"I do think these umps this season have been trying hard and have done a pretty good job filling in. And we're above .500 and not too far out of first place, so it hasn't ruined our season."

-- BRIAN VanderBEEK

Funny, I see comments like these about the regular umps too. LOL

That is Modesto. Find something about Portland umpires that doesn't come from a "fan site" or written by a striking umpire!

I am about 100% sure that the people complaining about the replacement umps in the press ALSO complain a bunch about their regular umps. You know why we don't hear about it? Because there is no story in that under normal circumstances. Everybody thinks umpires are horrible.

So, in reality, all these "horrid" stories about "bad" umpires are JUST par for the course. As somebody else pointed out earlier, he can wait to see all the perfect games called! LOL

I find it really hard to believe that the umpires working minor league games don't know the difference between pro rules and HS or NCAA rules. That's just a bunch of horsesh*t and you know it! Trying to enforce "slide rules?" Come on now! Show me this umpire so I can go kick him in the rear end!

Quit making it sound like anybody who's not an AMLU member can't umpire a tiddlywinks contest. Yeah, we're all a bunch of stupid hicks. Had to re-cite the "big-league" rule? It ain't even the big league, bubba! The deer in the headlights look? Oh, puleeeze. Yeah, must have been some T-Ball umpires working these games.

Everyone knows that the pro umpires have received more training and instruction than amateurs, but I've seen a boatload of pro umpires at every level who couldn't walk my mask out to home plate, and to think they are in some way superior because they work minor league baseball is simply ludicrous.

Any Minor League Umpire That Thinks The Game Was About To Crumble And Fall Apart Without Their Superior Presence Needs To Look Over The Deal They Just Signed, And When They Cash That First Paycheck It Should Be Very Obvious.... And Painfully Clear Just How Bad Milb Management Missed You And Needed You Back.

I Guess That Extra Dollar A Day Was The Threshold To "financial Freedom". I'll Have My Stock Broker Give Each Of You A Call.....

Hey B....arnold.....thank You For Sharing That Great Article....

I Know Once The Highly Paid, Superior Trained Machines Return There Will Be No More Arguments, No More Ejections, No Fights, No Kicked Calls, No Digruntled Managers Or Owners....everyone Will Be In Such A State Of "bliss" It Will Be So Nice.......

I Can Not Believe The Powers Of Milb Didn't Double The Pay From Day One, Seeing How There Was So Many Problems......

And If You Believe This......please Set The "crack Pipe" Down And Step Away For A Min Would Ya?????

SUBS still Tootin'
 

Roger Clemmons just signed another BASEBALL contract. Something about $100,000 US per innning, or per strikeout. He only appears for 6-7 innings, so that is about $600,000 to $700,000 per game average. That is leverage because few can replace HIM or his performance on the field.

Even MiLB players with six years and no shot at the bigs are compensated well above $20,000 per year thanks to the MLB PA support. I guess the AMLU umps were wrong to demand a small pay increase after six years in the business. If an UMPIRE cannot demand $100 bucks a game, then how can he begin to believe he is the BEST?

The AMLU has federal status. It would be DUMB not to join it and work as an independent contractor for PRO ball. I liken it to working on your knees. MiLB will no longer attract the best possible umpires. Anybody may consider himself to be a fine replacement. But until Bubba's paid the some dough as a TOP DOG, he is just another SUBSTITUTE, or second fiddler.

ncump 7.....you didn't help put together the new deal did ya????

in the words of the montgomery/gentry band......

that something to be proud of......

thats a deal you can hang your hat on.......

nc ump7

you dont need to make a million.....

just be thankful to be working.......

if your doing what your able......

the extra 30 bucks will put a "HAPPY MEAL" ON THE TABLE.......

8 more games. Enjoy being a scab while it lasts. And by the way, when you are done self fornicating, I would bet my life that a 1st year umpire in pro ball is better than you SCUMP. You are a joke to everyone. But just keep believing all of the complements from the players and managers that have been ordered not to argue with you. Like I said, 8 more days!

And don't worry boys, I will be sitting and waiting for another game being forfeited because an umpire loses control. AMLU guys lookout...overall you have some pretty tough shoes to fill 9 days from now. (SCUMP, since you obviously have a hard time telling when someone is being truthful, I am being sarcastic. So please don't come back on here and quote me like you do the players and managers that say they respect you and then laugh at you in the dugout)

Truth hurts boys!

Hey Arnold The Pig The Strike Is Over......hello Earth To Arnie....

Anybody That Works A Minor League Game After The Strike Was Settled Is Not A Scab.....

Some Body Fill In Ole Arnie On The Rules Concerning Unions, Strikes
Etc Etc......

Man I Can Not Wait For Perfection To Return To The Yards All Across America......

The Integrity Of The Game Has "really....really" Suffered....

Time To Get Those "well Trained" Highly Paid Umpiring Machines Back On The Field.......

Ummmm......this is not an example of sarcasm. It is an example of a very egotistical, bitter person, who thinks way too highly of himself. Please stop referring to people blowing themselves, it is really tacky.

My Thoughts As Well Steve.....angry, Bitter And Very Shallow...

For A Guy That Knows Nothing About Me What So Ever You Are Throwing Lots Of Stones There B....arnold!!!!

I know what I need to know, you are a scab. I blieve that this qualifies as something about you. And the blowing comment (which has now been changed to something more appropriate) was in reference to the comment that an A ball guy can't even carry his mask out to the plate for him.

You call me shallow for pointing out that people are laughing at the replacement umpires. But you defend a guy who thinks that his time in the PCL is similar to an umpire who worked their way to get there. I was in the PCL years ago, and it wasn't easy to get there. This strike was unfortunate, but I am not going to sit back and let guys that never earned a right to work in pro ball bash the guys that have. If it hurts when I point out that they are laughing at you, then too bad. Like I said, the truth hurts!

And if you guys want to throw around that you made some extra money during this strike while the AMLU boys were at home, this too is a joke. You are only trying to get back the money you lost when you went to umpire school and were told you weren't good enough for pro ball. You call me bitter and shallow...Keep cutting down the umpires that have made it to AA and AAA. That is bitter and shallow. You guys are a joke, and you just can't see it. I am sure you will have some great stories to tell about your time in pro ball. Just be careful who you say them to, you no doubt will be called out for the loser you are by anyone that ever earned the right to walk on that field.


One last thing, I almost forgot. 7 more days!

Well, that was my comment, not his. I never worked as a replacement umpire, so I don't see the need for such a comment.

I have worked with minor league umpires on amateur games over the years, and in fact have given advice and tips to some of them. I stand by my comment, as I have rarely been overly impressed by them. I worked with one guy who had such a chip on his shoulder that he couldn't make it out of any high school games without running someone. He had the shortest fuse I'd ever seen. He brought his "us against the rats" philosophy with him to the amateur level, and it just doesn't work well.

You can stay upset at the replacement umpires, and work yourself an ulcer over it, or you can move past it, quit the childish countdown, and chalk it up to life's experiences. You guys screwed up by striking, blamed people for doing the job you wouldn't do even though you agreed to the terms at one time, and now you don't want to admit you screwed up. It is time to just take your lumps and get on with your "umpiring career.":rolleyes:

I Want To Add I Never Made Any Reference To Anyone Carrying Or Not Carrying My Mask On This Web Site Or Any Other.

I Never Said I Worked In The Pcl Either......i Didn't Work There.

So B.....arnold Making Remarks About Me When You Are Refering To Someone Else Is Childish.

Like Steve Said The Amlu Is The One That Went On Strike Not Me.....after You Knew What The Pay Plan Was And The Odds Of Making It To The Bigs.....what Did You Expect, The Game To Stop While You Held Them Hostage For More Money...

You guys will never get it. I should have stuck by my original comment that you are not worth the words. Spin it anyway you want. I did not strike, I am retired. Just know this, you were offered to scab only after the league presidents called people like me and I said "No." So now when you tell people the story about how you worked minor league baseball be sure to tell them that you were not their 1st nor their 2nd choice. My final point on this before I move on...the AMLU didn't hold anyone hostage. They stood up against something much stronger and had less resources. How can you hold them hostage? Baseball treats umpires poorly, and replacement umpires only helped them ensure that they can continue to pay umpires a poverty wage. Way to be part of something so important. Therefore, as I said earlier, you guys are losers and now, along with the managers and payers, the owners are laughing at how you bought into their hype about how much you mean to the game. Take your shots at the AMLU, they are easy targets. But that makes you no different than any other fan that does it on a nightly basis. The only difference now is that the AMLU will work with their identities known...they won't hide. Check the box scores next week...you will find a list of umpires that are proud of what they do.

As a former MiLB umpire, I don't hesitate to say for a second that I am proud of the AMLU. Not because they got what they wanted, but rather because they had the courage to try.

I am glad to see all of this bickering and name calling is accomplishing a lot. I didn't work as a replacement, was never asked, and probably wouldn't have because I didn't trust my skills for that level. I have since worked with several guys that did work as fill-ins. They made the decision and it's not my place to say whether it was right or wrong. Time will decide that.

I know a couple of guys in the game. They are good people and they have scraped by on nothing for years. I wish they had gotten more in the settlement. I understood why they went on strike and I didn't blame them.

The discussion above is they very thing I hoped wouldn't have happened. This rift was not and should not be between amateur umpires and professional umpires. It's between the AMLU and MiLB. Several things have to be realized on both sides of umpiring. Amateurs working the pro game have to take their experience for what it was. It was replacement work while the striking umpires were out. No different that when the NFL used replacements in the 80's. Yes, they played in the NFL but as replacements . I don't see anything wrong with a guy saying I worked 20 games at AA in 2006 if he qualifies it by saying as a replacement. But don't kid yourself into believing that you are the same as a guy who worked his way up through the ranks.

Professional umpires need to understand that except for the select few who make it to the big leagues, if you want to umpire after MiLB you are going to be an amateur umpire. Sure, you will be an ex-MiLB umpire, but you will be an amateur. You'll be back to working with the guys you called scabs and other choice words. It may work OK between you and your new colleagues and it may not. If you stay a pro, we are also the people that attend the clinics you run. Professional umpires count on amateur umpires to make clinics profitable. Nobody is going to want to attend a clinic run by anyone that calls amateurs inferior and such.

In any event, the strike is over. Dwelling on what happened on over the past few months doesn't solve anything or rewrite history. Time to move on..

Lawrence

Shout Out To The Homophobs.....
 

Just so every one knows and hasn't figured it out yet. SCUMP and pdxblue are just a couple of losers from Officials Unlimited.:(

Pwl.....another Disgruntled Whiner......swiss Or Chedder??????

Cheese Eater.....