Remind me how much college players make?  And high school players.

MotherJones.com, named after a radical Socialist.

Mother Jones focuses heavily on the evils of capitalism and the alleged desirability of government control over business. On a global level, the magazine reserves its harshest condemnations for the U.S. and Israel, and is staunchly supportive of Marxist regimes like Fidel Castro's Cuba.

Interesting info on Mother Jones. What's your source on that?

 

And is USA today also a Marxist publication in your view?

 

And are you not aware that MILB players are professionals (IOW their play is how they earn their living) and that HS and college students are amateurs?

 

(not saying I know enough about MILB compensation to have an opinion on what if anything needs to be done about it.)

This is a topic discussed here often.  I feel Minor League Players should make more money.

 

That said, I will never feel sorry for any minor league player.  What would they choose given the opportunity to play professional baseball with a chance to become a multi millionaire or given the opportunity to start at the bottom at a fast food chain with a even slighter chance at reaching the top.

 

Once again I wish they would make more money, but they all have that choice of doing something different. Millions of young men are hoping for that opportunity to "play" the "game". Lets see, I can make twice as much money flipping burgers or I can "play" the "game" I "love" for less money and have a chance of making it real big.

 

Guess I don't know that much about other sports. How much do golfers, tennis players, Stock car drivers, D League Basketball players, taxi squad football players, or any other sport pay at the start up level? How much do actors and musicians get paid when they start out? It's not always easy to start out making a lot of money at the things you love doing.

 

I have a lot of respect for anyone trying hard in the minor leagues.  It sure isn't easy, but they are doing exactly what they want to do. Don't pity them, go out to a game and cheer for them. I feel much more sorry for those that want it so badly, but never get that opportunity.

Kind of off topic, but what is independent league lifestyle like? Is the pay and lifestyle very similar to the affiliated minor league levels? Or does it vary league to league? I watched at TV show on the Pecos League and they only make $50 a week or something like that. Gotta imagine that's way way tougher than affiliated minor leagues.

First I definitely agree with PG.  absolutely believe that milb, they should get paid more money, but then just like any "job" they have the ability to turn it down and do something else.

 

My son plays Independent ball in the Atlantic league. I do beleive the monthly salary is about 2000 a month for first year players, but may vary per team. Many of these players are older and former ML players that dont really need the money b ut want back in the game.  One guy on sons team has made about 12M in his career. These guys are pretty good to the players and treat them often to lunch, dinners, etc.   He gets transportation (2 cars to share)  and a house to live in, shared by 5 other players.  He pays clubby dues and gets 2 meals a day when at home and on the road gets 25 per diem. The team also holds camps, players have the choice to work 4 hours per camp, and son has done every camp, earning nice extra cash. I have too say that they do make a huge effort to treat them just like they were in affiliated ball.

 

A few players from the frontier league have had their contracts purchased and on sons team. They are very happy and grateful and doing quite well.

 

Please do not take this the wrong way, but if my son was getting paid 50 dollars a week to play in the ANY league, I would strongly encourage him to consider other options.  

 

The problem I have with the conclusion that they can leave if not liking the pay is this: they have to leave their profession; not just change employers.

 

I don't think the players are asking for anything more than minimum wage. (I think they earn roughly half that in the low levels.)

The big issue I see is inflation has increased 400% since 1976. Yet minor league baseball salaries have only increased 75%. Therefore, the minor league players aren't making even close to what players made over thirty-five years ago. Salaries should be adjusted for inflation.

Players do get raises from their organization each season.
Their healthcare is paid for.
While I agree 100% that they should make more its amazing how they manage to keep an affiliate afloat.

Most teams have 5-6 affiliates. Thats a lot of ball players to move around.

I think the minor league system currently in place needs a significant overhauling…one that would impact salaries but would also address many other issues pertaining to inefficient aspects of player procurement and development. There are many, many issues involved with the current system that need addressing, with player salaries falling under that umbrella.

 

With that being said, players should be paid what the market dictates they're worth. What that specific figure is…I don't know.

 

Almost for sure that figure is less than it is now, probably much less.

The problem is, there is no market. There is one choice, take it or leave it I'm not a union guy, but when there is basically one organization, ie monopoly, something should be done. The question is, who's going to stand up and do it. Sounds like this lawsuit is the start.

Ever hear of the Screen Actors Guild?   

 

From Wikipedia:

 

"The Guild was founded in 1933 in an effort to eliminate exploitation of actors in Hollywood who were being forced into oppressive multi-year contracts with the major movie studios that did not include restrictions on work hours or minimum rest periods, and often had clauses that automatically renewed at the studios' discretion. These contracts were notorious for allowing the studios to dictate the public and private lives of the performers who signed them, and most did not have provisions to allow the performer to end the deal."

 

Kinda sounds familiar?

 

Exactly.  A labor "market" requires labor mobility -- the right to sell one's labor to the highest bidder.  But there is no -- or hardly any -- labor mobility in minor league ball -- even less than there is in major league ball. 

The way to create a market is eliminate the draft.

I actually agree with this. The draft is an abomination and rewards stupidity and incompetence.

I agree, but only to the extent by which it is currently constructed.  I feel the draft can work just fine and be much more fair and equitable with a major overhaul.  

It might also help if they had independent collective bargaining rights.

Agreed.

They do provide a cobra insurance after player is released for 18 months for less than 100.00 a month. It is blue cross/blue shield PPO. It helps while player is starting a career in something besides baseball.

 

It is tough especially on the kids who got little to no bonus. I don't feel sorry for them, and yes they wanted to do it, but those kids in the minors fill up seats for the affilates and a lot of money is made. I think they should make more money.1200 a month for a 7 days a week more than 8 hours with no overtime is wrong.