Purpose of extra umpires? (5&6)

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Not surprisingly, in 1947 they wanted to pay those outfield umps LESS that the other guys! Jocko Conlin says they almost walked out over that. Also, they tended to use that to 'break in' relatively less experienced umps into the Series atmosphere.

I see nothing wrong with that. They had used 4 umpires but were experimenting expanding to 6. If I was the 5th or 6th umpire and had to choose between working a World Series or not working the World Series, I don't think a lighter check would factor it. It also would give me the experience of working the series and make it more likely that I would work more in the future.