Investigators

Deleted

Emerald City,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:00:37

MLB is sending investigators into the hometowns of umpires and they are asking their freinds, etc... if these umpires are members of the KKK.

Even J.Jackson has chastised MLB over KKK questions.

What is MLB looking for? Why now? What is MLB doing looking under these rocks!

Government Hooker

Moderator

London, United Kingdom

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:06:09

what the bloody hell?

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:12:01

MLB isn't going around investigating about the KKK specifically.

The KKK questions are just one part of an expanded background checking procedure. MLB has always done pretty serious background checks on officials.

Edited: January 31, 2008 @ 19:12

darklife144

Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:13:25

Who knows what MlB wants

Deleted

Emerald City,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:17:33

https://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7739258/Jackson-chastises-MLB-over-KKK-questions

Government Hooker

Moderator

London, United Kingdom

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:18:07

well i would want to know if i was a player in a major sports league and if i was a black woman if any officials held any prejudices that way, umpires must be completely impartial.

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:19:47

"Baseball stepped up background checks last August, after it became public that the FBI was investigating NBA referee Tim Donaghy for betting on games."

"We did not anticipate that they would approach neighbors posing as a close colleague and friend of the umpire's and asking them questions such as: Do you know if umpire 'X' is a member of the Ku Klux Klan? Does he grow marijuana plants? Does he beat his wife? Have you seen the police at his home? Does he throw wild parties?" McMorris said

It's not just "KKK." They're conducting checks to see if the umpires are involved in anything untoward or illegal.

There was a huge scandal last year about an NBA referee 'fixing' game scores and betting on games. MLB really doesn't need another controversy so they're trying to cover their bases (ha ha).

Edited: January 31, 2008 @ 19:20

Deleted

Emerald City,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:20:34

@treebee Said
well i would want to know if i was a player in a major sports league and if i was a black woman if any officials held any prejudices that way, umpires must be completely impartial.

Okay, shouldn't the black umps be asked if they are members of the any hate groups?

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:20:57

@treetopflyer Said
Okay, shouldn't the black umps be asked if they are members of the any hate groups?

No doubt they are. Look at the list of questions one person got asked.

Government Hooker

Moderator

London, United Kingdom

#10

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:21:09

@treetopflyer Said
Okay, shouldn't the black umps be asked if they are members of the any hate groups?

sure why not?

Government Hooker

Moderator

London, United Kingdom

#11

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:22:05

@jonnythan Said
"Baseball stepped up background checks last August, after it became public that the FBI was investigating NBA referee Tim Donaghy for betting on games."

"We did not anticipate that they would approach neighbors posing as a close colleague and friend of the umpire's and asking them questions such as: Do you know if umpire 'X' is a member of the Ku Klux Klan? Does he grow marijuana plants? Does he beat his wife? Have you seen the police at his home? Does he throw wild parties?" McMorris said

It's not just "KKK." They're conducting checks to see if the umpires are involved in anything untoward or illegal.

There was a huge scandal last year about an NBA referee 'fixing' game scores and betting on games. MLB really doesn't need another controversy so they're trying to cover their bases (ha ha).

LOL like trying to get into the USA, we are asked "are you a member of a terrorist organisation?"

I guess the question has to be asked so we cant later say "well nobody asked me"

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#12

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:23:10

@treebee Said
LOL like trying to get into the USA, we are asked "are you a member of a terrorist organisation?"

I guess the question has to be asked so we cant later say "well nobody asked me"

Yes.

They are asking neighbors and associates, though, not the umpires themselves. So that gets them a *little* more credit for the obvious questions

Deleted

Emerald City,

#13

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:26:29

World Umpires Association president John Hirschbeck said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

"You get someone from security, shows his credentials and starts asking these kind of questions, and right away what's the neighbor going to think other than the umpire is in trouble, he's done something wrong and he's going to lose his job."

Bringer of rad mirth

Deleted

Here and there,

#14

Jan 31, 2008 @ 19:30:01

Valid concern. The obvious solution (which I'm sure the background checkers have implemented) is to make the situation clear before you start asking questions.

"Hello, ma'am. As part of a league-wide increase in umpire background checks, we'd like to ask you some questions about Josh Billings. Do you have a minute?"