A sad state of affairs . . .

[Rich]

Well, another advantage to the WI "system" is that we're hired directly by the leagues (for conference games) and by the home schools for non-conference games.

I've always wondered how an association can collect money and pay umpires directly from a central account and still try to consider the umpires independent contractors. I mean, the association decides who works the good games, what criteria is used for advancement, etc. Not trying to be a jerk here, but how are those umpires NOT employees under the law?