AMLU Strike

[BigUmp56]

Quick question for my new Vol's friends.

Should amature umpires (NCAA-NFHS) step in and take the MiLB games that will not be umpired due to the strike by the AMLU?


Tim.

[GAVol]

I say yes . . . What exactly is the hangup this time with the umpires? It seems to me that they have a pretty good livelihood.

[tidwell]

I've always thought being a sports official would be a pretty good gig... get to travel across the country, get to see games for free, and you know the chicks love it when you say you spend a lot of time at the baseball field... as an umpire.

[BigUmp56]

The problem is that minor league umpires are paid less per game than the average high school umpire who umpires as a hobby. They have not received a raise of any kind in nearly 10 years. That's unheard of in the professional world. They have to pay for their own transportation to their games, sometimes driving 8 hours at a clip just to sleep in their car before they step out onto the field. They're paid on avarage, depending on the league they're working, only $25.00 a day per diem.

Put their pay up against MLB umpires pay and there is a huge disparity. MiLB umpires working at the highest level AAA make only $25,000 a year while the minimum annual salary for an MLB umpire is well over $90,000, with guys like Tim McClelland and Jerry Crawford making over $350,000 per year.

I realize that on the surface that it might look life they are living the life of Brian, but that's just not the case.


Tim.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by (BigUmp56 @ Apr 1, 2006 3:39 PM)

The problem is that minor league umpires are paid less per game than the average high school umpire who umpires as a hobby. They have not received a raise of any kind in nearly 10 years. That's unheard of in the professional world. They have to pay for their own transportation to their games, sometimes driving 8 hours at a clip just to sleep in their car before they step out onto the field. They're paid on avarage, depending on the league they're working, only $25.00 a day per diem.

Put their pay up against MLB umpires pay and there is a huge disparity. MiLB umpires working at the highest level AAA make only $25,000 a year while the minimum annual salary for an MLB umpire is well over $90,000, with guys like Tim McClelland and Jerry Crawford making over $350,000 per year.

I realize that on the surface that it might look life they are living the life of Brian, but that's just not the case.
Tim.

I misunderstood your post. I thought you were talking MLB. I agree. The life of a minor legue umpire is tough.

I would think it will be a tough walkout though since there are probably a ton of guys who would step in to pick up the experience and extra cash.

[volinasheville]

There was a great deal of bitterness last time they walked out and the other guys took over. Are any of the replacements still in the bigs?

[dan4vols]

A job where you give yopur opinion, it in most cases cant be objected to and if it is you have the power to toss em outta the game. You have apparently no visible chain of command responsibility, you travel well...eat well apparently....and they get paid huge...whats the beef?

[vols2345]

350,000 a year??? Im totally pursuing the wrong career here.....