What frustrates the aforementioned IL manager more than anything is the lack of control by replacement umpires.
"I was watching a big league game the other night and players were arguing calls," he said. "The umpire took a certain amount and then he popped off his mask and set the game into a control aspect. That's something that hasn't been seen this year. I'm not saying (the replacement umps) should start firing at players. But it's evident they lack ability to control games.
"Another thing is I've had guys called out on strikes on pitches in the dirt that haven't reached the plate in the air, in RBI situations. I've had pitchers that have had outings in which they appeared to have really good command. Then you watch another game and you see exactly where the guy has to throw strikes and you start thinking to yourself 'You know what? That's not what's going on.' "
Also in the AMLU release Trenton manager Billy Masse said the umpiring in a May 2 Eastern League game versus Reading was "an absolute joke." And for good measure he added "Major League Baseball should be absolutely ashamed for letting this happen over freaking nickels."
The disparity in salary between minor league players and minor league umpires is substantial.
"Some [players] are making $8-9-10,000 a month. So that much for 5 ½, six months is $50-60,000," observed the scout. "That's a far cry from the $15,000 maximum that some of the minor league umpires are making."
The scout's opinion was echoed by John Hirschbeck, president of the World Umpires Association, the major league umpires union.
"It would have been unconscionable to increase salaries only $100 per month and to expect adults to live on the road spending only $22 a day in 2006," he told the Associated Press. "The WUA will continue to support the minor league umpires and their union until an agreement is reached providing for livable wages and realistic per diems."
There has been no word today from the bargaining table. Sources are not optimistic for a quick resolution to the negotiations, as Minor League Baseball has shown no indication of flexibility.
MiLB counts on the fact that its largest growth in fan base has been with the “casual” fan, who is assumed to be largely baseball illiterate and comes for the good time as much, if not more, than the game. Minor League Baseball has enjoyed an incredible run-up in attendance over the last decade. Umpires of the AMLU have been working for per diems that barely cover three-squares at McDonald’s. Opportunities to advance to the majors are few and far between. For those that stand up for minor league baseball, there has to be more to their profession than the love of the game.
"Both sides have their heels dug in the mud," said AMLU president Andy Roberts on May 10. "We're very active in our pursuits to convince them that professionals should be on the field. But baseball hasn't been convinced yet."
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