MLB wants background investigations on Umpires

Major Legue Baseball (MLB) wants background investigations conducted on all of its umpires. In a fitting case of "after the fact politics," MLB has realized that complete background investigations need to be done on its umpire ranks. The World Umpires Association (WUA) is adamant that background investigations be closely tied to an enhanced umpire situation for post season play. The WUA says it will not help commissioner Bud Selig's office conduct background investigations of its members, claiming the investigations are a "knee-jerk, misguided" response to the NBA referee betting scandal, in which official Tim Donaghy is under investigation for allegedly betting on games - including ones in which he officiated - and providing inside information to gamblers.

WUA spokesman Lamell McMorris said his union's members want to negotiate how background information will be gathered and used. He said he is concerned that confidential data might not remain so private.

"We understand the need for security and thorough background investigations," McMorris said. "But we are not going to give a green light to a knee-jerk, misguided witch hunt."

But Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations, said the union is using the background checks as a bargaining chip to pressure baseball into adding a seventh official to postseason umpiring crews, which MLB says is unnecessary. Tyra Hearns of the background investigation firm Pebi Services ( wwww.Pebiservices.com ) says that the need for background investigations far exceeds the limits of the playing field. "Aside from the obvious, the umpires themselves are traveling from city to city representing the league. Without a complete background investigation how do you know that an umpire transitioning from one place to another has not been arrested or charged with a crime and then moved on to their home city without the league knowing it?"

During a meeting with WUA officials, Manfred told union leaders that MLB wanted to conduct background investigations on its umpires in response to the news that Donaghy, a 13-year NBA referee, is under investigation by the FBI. But Manfred said the union is trying to create an unnecessary job by holding the integrity of the game hostage.