Calhoun County in Alabama – Alabama high schools umpires raise proposal but it won’t take effect until next season; umpire associations have to decide whether or not they will play ball in the ’23.
Joe Medley
On Thursday, the possibility of a mass strike by Alabama high school baseball umpires was put on hold. They presented a proposal that included a $25-per game raise. But there is a caveat. The caveat?
Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board of Control will have to approve the raise at its April quarterly meeting. The proposal will be accepted by various umpire associations throughout the state. The East Alabama Baseball Umpires Association would vote at its weekly meeting on Wednesday February 1.
Cecil Garrison, president of East Alabama Baseball Umpires Association, consulted the board regarding the raise proposal. It was a result of Thursday’s meeting between five baseball officials representatives, Alvin Briggs, AHSAA executive Director, and Ken Washington, AHSAA director, officials. Garrison stated that officials received a promise to keep their salaries current with those of their Mississippi peers. A proposal was made to create a committee of retired and current officials that would report to the Board of Control.
What was the East Alabama board’s response? Garrison stated, “We’re going work, but we really don’t know whether we’re going be able to have the members this season to cover the games that we’ve got.” “We are down around 20% in membership so we will work the games that we can. “There is no guarantee that there won’t be cancellations in the season due to a shortage umpires.” [ …]
Al Muskewitz contributed information.
