Umpires mess up their message, again

Apparently, Bud Selig and MLB want better background checks for their umpires in light of the NBA’s recent controversy with crooked ref Tim Donaghy.

The umpires union isn’t just against this, it doesn’t even see why it’s necessary.

In a letter that was obtained by ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, the umpires union wrote: “… (MLB) also has a responsibility to do what’s in the best interest of the sport and its fans — and that is to not engage in knee-jerk, misguided witch hunts against the umpires without fair negotiations”

Misguided witch hunts? I know it was a different sport, but this is an important issue right now. As a baseball fan, I’d want to be sure that none of the umpires who hold a lot of power during a game are crooked and involved with the wrong people.

Look, the umpires’ union has every right to ask for something in return for more extensive background checks. That’s how collective bargaining works. One side wants something, the other gets something else they want. The umpires should get something in return, whether it’s some more money, some more perks or something else. But to characterize this as misguided is wrong.

Background checks should be a part of officials for every major sport. And just because MLB dropped the ball originally by not having them doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have them now. The umpires need to realize that the public opinion that cares about this issue isn’t on their side — you think baseball fans want to know that even a small chance exists that baseball games are fixed?