Umpires to Begin Work Sunday After Settling With Management

Major league umpires say they will return to work Sunday under a new agreement that reimburses them for games canceled during the 32-day lockout and gives them three more vacation days during the regular season.

Lawyers for the umpires’ union and the leagues reached the out-of-court settlement Thursday, after U.S. District Judge Norma L. Shapiro reopened a hearing on baseball’s request for an order forcing the umpires back to work.

The agreement also calls for umpires to receive regular-season per diem payments beginning Saturday, and for the leagues to repay them for travel deposits made before Jan. 31, but forfeited because of the lockout.

The American and National Leagues will divide a $48,500 payment among all umpires.

The umpires boycotted the spring games, which started Monday, to protest not being consulted when regular-season games were rescheduled after the lockout ended.

“Fans are sick of squabbles, they’re sick of legal terms,” American League President Dr. Bobby Brown said. “Now opening day can take place without any clouds on the horizon.”