Are umpire associations to blame

[Welpe]

It would be nice if all associations in an area would tell a league or team to go pound sand but we know that is not realistic. There will always be umpires and associations that are looking for the money, especially if the games are a higher or more "prestigious" level.

As long as there are independent associations (or in Rich's case, independent umpires) there will be someone working those games.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Welpe

It would be nice if all associations in an area would tell a league or team to go pound sand but we know that is not realistic. There will always be umpires and associations that are looking for the money, especially if the games are a higher or more "prestigious" level.

As long as there are independent associations (or in Rich's case, independent umpires) there will be someone working those games.

Umpires may eject and, in some cases, may declare forfeits. What happens to teams, players and coaches after that are not our affair. We do not decide on any additional punishment.

We are the cops, others are judges.

If an individual umpire chooses to boycott a team or league, so be it, but for an association to take such action, in my opinion, would not be correct.

[Welpe]

I think a local association is well within their rights to tell a league fraught with problems that they will no long provide umpire services for them (barring any contractual agreements of course). I am only speaking of summer and rec type leagues that are similar to the one Rich dealt with. I realize in most areas with umbrella organizations such as the NFHS there is more accountability and assigning is a more structured affair. Here, for high school games, indepdendent associations are certified by the state and they contract with either a school or a conference for umpire services. In this area, it is certainly within an association's right to no longer provide services for a school once their contract expires.

[PeteBooth]

To my knowledge none of the umpires that have been recently thrown at has been severly injured.

Suppose an umpire does get seriously injured you do not think "other' associations or independent contactors should not take action by simply "blackballing" this league or team?

Pete Booth

[LMan]

Maybe not yet, but probabilities would indicate that eventually an umpire will suffer a serious injury from these premeditated beanings. If they continue, its inevitable...and why not? Next time I want to seriously harm someone with a small object, I'm going to drag them onto a field, peg 'em, and call it a baseball game...that way its legal!

RE: umpire associations, the ever-present grub for the Smitty-buck is a serious impediment to concerted action, just as the 'win now' mentality helped Tark the Shark, et al, gain repeated employment despite their shoddy characters and repeated ethical violations (hi, Slick Rick!).

You think they'll agree on this type of stop-work action? Someone will always take the games if they are paying....like that old saw, 'We've established what you are, now we are discussing the price."

[archangel]

OP Title: Are umpire associations to blame?

In a nutshell, NO!
Both examples you spoke of would've happened whether or not all assoc stood together prior to them happening....
I'm sure you started this thread for conversation purposes only, but it seems like society always has to "blame" everyone/everthing possible when something goes wrong...i.e. passerby injured by drunk driver = sue the driver, bar, whiskey maker, drinkers friends, car company, and on and on....

I'm frankly tired of having to change how I live/work due to the actions of a very small minority. How many thousands of ball players are there vs the miniscule % that cross the line we are discussing? Penalize/Deal with those responsible!

In a capitalistic society, you are dreaming to think a league wouldnt find an assoc to use......