PG and Truman have nailed it!
Here is one more nugget of information: spearheaded by professional sports, including MLB, California greatly restricted professional athletes ability to collect workers compensation for injuries incurred while working (And the same is true in many other states. http://scholarship.law.marquet...mp;context=sportslaw .) The restrictions are so great that an individual would get worn out trying to collect what all other employees can collect with little effort.
Workers compensation has two complements: health and disability. Players are now covered by outside private health insurance; but, the disability component is basically unavailable. Typically most injuries are transitory; but some are not and leave the worker with some degree of permanent disability. If a player wants that protection - which every employee in all other industries has on the employers dime - the player now must purchase a private policy (an expensive and usually wasteful expense - unless and until it's needed).
It's really not hard to understand how this basic protection (which my business, PG's business, and all other businesses MUST buy) was stripped specifically from players. In California, the law slipped through the legislature almost unanimously - supported by large campaign contributions from MLB to legislators. When a narrowly focused special interest group (baseball) takes aim against a diffuse group (players), baseball gets it's way.
I cannot fathom how a disastrous injury (think permanent disability) does not result in the player receiving a payment ALL other employees (including front office staff of clubs) are entitled to receive. The way the laws play out, MLb has off loaded this cost to ALL taxpayers (who pay for state and federal disability payments).
Would or should this stop a player from choosing pro ball? Of course not. But shining light on this (and all the other unfair practices [e.g., minimum wage]) can only help Improve the conditions of these employees chasing a dream coveted by many.
As trite as this sounds, if any one has the chance speak to your elected representatives, the press, etc., tell them about these issues. While it may seem futile, while it may take forever to successfully change the system, if we don't do it, who will?