Judge Chides Both Sides in Continuing Umpire Feud

A federal judge today reopened a hearing on the stalled labor dispute involving major league umpires and chided baseball management and union officials for not being able to settle their differences.

Both sides had agreed Tuesday to end their dispute by arbitration, but on Wednesday the two sides still could not agree on an arbitrator.

The umpires were scheduled to begin working spring training games Friday, but that appeared impossible after the latest fallout. Judge Stanley Greenberg withdrew as the independent arbitrator at the request of management.

The umpires are boycotting spring training games to protest not being consulted when regular-season games were rescheduled after the 32-day lockout ended.

U.S. District Judge Norma L. Shapiro, who presided at Tuesday’s hearing on baseball’s request for a restraining order, gave both sides 10 minutes this morning to settle matters.

“There is an offer on the table,” she said. “The parties have had ample time to resolve this.” She told them they were welcome to try to negotiate an end to the dispute over a lunch break.

The judge opened the hearing with testimony from American League President Bobby Brown.

“It’s important that they (umpires) get some work in before the beginning of the regular championship season,” Brown said. He acknowledged that he had not contacted umpires’ union head Richie Phillips about the effect of the lockout settlement on umpires.

After Greenberg withdrew Wednesday, Shapiro proposed a number of other possible arbitrators, including former Baseball Commissioner Peter V. Ueberroth and former Vice President Walter F. Mondale.

In each case, one side or the other would not accept Shapiro’s suggestions, and the day ended with no agreement and management back to seeking the injunction.

That means that minor-league umpires, who have been working since exhibition play began Monday, will remain on the job as arguments before Shapiro resume.

“The umpires are disappointed in the owners,” Phillips said. “Nevertheless, we will continue to try our best to reach a resolution.”

Also in dispute are increased living expenses incurred by the umpires who gave up apartment leases when the lockout started and fewer days off during the season because of the compressed schedule.

“They will have to work the full season in a shorter period of time,” Phillips had said. However, he said the dispute is not over economics, but “an issue of respect for the umpires.”