Six Billion and growing

[bobbybanaduck]

from a $ standpoint it is absolutely smart business. why would they pay more or treat them better when they simply don't have to? there is a steady stream of guys every year that go to the schools in hopes of getting into the game, despite knowing full well what they are in for. the ethics of it all, however, leave something to be desired. if i were in a one on one battle with them a la billy madison, you can be damn sure i, too, would choose business ethics as their final category...

[GarthB]

Three points:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Sounds about right."

Couldn't agree more Mr. Byron.

Some, including some ML general managers, feel the system is broke.

If I were a club owner at the MLB level I would look at the fact that there seems to be a never ending cadre of young bucks that will take the chance to one day make the largest dance floor.

The trend over the past five years is that that never ending cadre is diminishing.

When all is done an owner might think: "If I am 'happy' with the end result I see each day in MLB games 'why' would I want to change anything?"

Which brings me to my first post. This is more than a supply and demand issue. As long as the owners perceive that it is not in their best interest to invest in the MiLB umpires, they will not. It will be up to AMLU to provide a convincing argument that it is, indeed, in ML's best interest to help out.