19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

GRUMPY UMPS
Sir:
Regarding your article Odd Man Out on the Diamond (Aug. 20), I have been a member of two unions (the American Federation of Musicians and the Newspaper Guild), and I have a comment or two. The umpires were underpaid. No question about that. But they, or their agent, did sign a contract. Perhaps it was foolish, but a contract was signed.

The rookie umps are not scabs in the real sense because it wasn't a real strike. The umpires made a bad deal and then tried to put the onus on everybody else. Why not hang the scab label on the players, food-and-drink vendors, ticket-window people, security personnel and anybody else who kept on working while the umps were out?

Let's put things in perspective.
WHIT HILLYER
Evanston, Ill.

Sir:
It's hard to believe the umps E. M. Swift described are the same ones so many fans felt sympathy for when they went on "strike." When Swift wrote that the more obstinate veterans "are hurting the game they are paid to uphold," he couldn't have been more correct. I just hope the fans will remember this lesson the next time the umpires decide to walk out.
TOM SHELTON
Grand Island , Neb.

Sir:
Veteran Umpire Paul Runge defined the word scab correctly, but in my opinion he failed to look up the word professional. If all of these acts against the rookie umps continue, I hope baseball fans across America start hounding the senior umps for more than just their bad calls.
NORMAN SMITH
Madison , Ind.

Sir:
I support the umpires' right to strike, but they should be willing to take the risks that go along with a strike. While they have the right to walk off their jobs, others have the right to attempt to replace them.
KEN BRYANT
Jacksonville Beach , Fla.

Sir
My grandfather was an American League umpire for 19 seasons. I grew up in and around baseball and, more specifically, around umpires. I have never known a major league umpire who would consciously do anything to undermine the integrity of the game. Hence, I feel obliged to dispute E. M. Swift 's statement that the regular umpires are hurting the game by failing to work together with the "new" umpires.

I have attended many American League games this season, have spoken to a number of the umpires and have observed that the veteran umpires do indeed work with the scabs on the field. More important, one umpire told me—and he was echoing the sentiments of his colleagues—that although he refuses to associate with the scabs off the field, "Between those white lines I bust my tail and work with them, because that's my job. I'm a major league umpire and take pride in my work."

The new umpires undermined the position of the 51 veterans during the latter's spring walkout, and I can understand the bitterness felt by the older umpires toward the scabs. In my estimation, the true men of courage were the young umpires who, knowing they may never get a second chance at working in the majors, said no to the baseball establishment and supported their fellow umpires.
EDWIN H. HURLEY III
Wilbraham, Mass.

Sir:
Concerning the hazing incident involving rookie umpire Dave Pallone , National League supervisor Blake Cullen said that because none of the veteran crew members would admit to having done the hazing, he couldn't fine them all. Why not? A few fines might put a quick end to such incidents.
PETE WORTHINGTON
Charleston AFB, S.C.