http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/business-beat/2009/267464.html
I know that minor league life is tough - but this article really illuminates how tough that life is when combined with this economy.
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good article - thanks for posting
This is reality, and it's not all that new. Imagine a young player out of HS with no work experience other than playing ball trying to find a job because he needs it.
It is much easier for the older players, but as you all read, jobs are hard to come by.
Spring training, you get two meals a day and 12 dollars for dinner. If you live away from the hotel you are given $25. I think that meal stipends should be awarded based on where you end up playing, here in Florida with rent so high, players are 5-6 to a 2 bedroom apartment (try concentrating on your career with that) and there is no such thing as host families or a cheap meal. My sons team offers breakfast and/or lunch in season, and one only gets meal money while on the road.
My opinion is and always will be college is a good place to begin, unless you have the funds needed to help sustain you through the lean years.
Some players are lucky that their families can sustain them during the off season. That's not so easy for some struggling families. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining, but this article is a real good idea of how tough milb life can be.
It is much easier for the older players, but as you all read, jobs are hard to come by.
Spring training, you get two meals a day and 12 dollars for dinner. If you live away from the hotel you are given $25. I think that meal stipends should be awarded based on where you end up playing, here in Florida with rent so high, players are 5-6 to a 2 bedroom apartment (try concentrating on your career with that) and there is no such thing as host families or a cheap meal. My sons team offers breakfast and/or lunch in season, and one only gets meal money while on the road.
My opinion is and always will be college is a good place to begin, unless you have the funds needed to help sustain you through the lean years.
Some players are lucky that their families can sustain them during the off season. That's not so easy for some struggling families. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining, but this article is a real good idea of how tough milb life can be.
Nice article. It makes me feel thankful
to be working.
to be working.
Wow,
That is brutal. Now I really understand why so many kids don't survive the minors. It makes college look better and better. At least you have room and board.
That is brutal. Now I really understand why so many kids don't survive the minors. It makes college look better and better. At least you have room and board.
Keep in mind that if they find a job (and sometimes they have to be selective with the truth in order to get one, as they would be short-term employees), they've got to prepare for ST while working.
All that running, weights, throwing, batting cage time, working out with other ballplayers if they're fortunate enough to have some nearby, has to fit in with the job. Ours here in Florida are lucky with the weather; not all ballplayers are.
That being said.....not many quit
All that running, weights, throwing, batting cage time, working out with other ballplayers if they're fortunate enough to have some nearby, has to fit in with the job. Ours here in Florida are lucky with the weather; not all ballplayers are.
That being said.....not many quit
The ones I have know here lived 5-6 in a house and din't seem too bothered. They still seemed to go to bars and have a good time. Some hsd too good a time.
If a player is not one of those "bonus babies", they are truly in for a rude awakening. This economy is certainly not a respector of persons right now.
As the rest of you have said it surely makes the college route much more attractive if the money (bonus) isn't there.
As the rest of you have said it surely makes the college route much more attractive if the money (bonus) isn't there.
Very good article. MLB doesn't seem to care about the minors, like turning down the meal raise. (keep them hungry to make it to the "show"??) 
Mine is actually working 3 jobs to stay afloat. He's got a permanent substitute teaching job until ST. Some evenings and weekends he works construction for the owner of a baseball facility where he also gives occasional lessons. When he's not working, he's working out. It's a tough haul but he has a dream. If he doesn't make it it won't be for lack of effort. He will have no regrets.
Mine is actually working 3 jobs to stay afloat. He's got a permanent substitute teaching job until ST. Some evenings and weekends he works construction for the owner of a baseball facility where he also gives occasional lessons. When he's not working, he's working out. It's a tough haul but he has a dream. If he doesn't make it it won't be for lack of effort. He will have no regrets.
quote:Originally posted by Orlando:
That being said.....not many quit
Not many quit because they have nothing else to do. It's easier to walk away with 4 years of college with a degree and broke than to face the possibility you have no other option at that moment and broke.
BTW, no throwing yesterday, it was TOO COLD!
like grampy used to say,if it was easy your grandmother would be doing it.
i'm not so sure these guy's think it's that difficult.they have alway's worked hard, they are used to it.
i'm not so sure these guy's think it's that difficult.they have alway's worked hard, they are used to it.
.
I guess answering that contraption, the telephone, is just too grueling ...
quote:Originally posted by 20dad:
like grampy used to say,if it was easy your grandmother would be doing it.
I guess answering that contraption, the telephone, is just too grueling ...
quote:Originally posted by TPM:quote:Originally posted by Orlando:
That being said.....not many quit
Not many quit because they have nothing else to do. It's easier to walk away with 4 years of college with a degree and broke than to face the possibility you have no other option at that moment and broke.
BTW, no throwing yesterday, it was TOO COLD!
Son teammate left after 2 years. He bounced between high A and AA. He had a mechanical engineering degree and an oilfield job making $80K and a new wife waiting at home. It made the decision at the end of year 2 easier. He signed for $25K as a senior.
"Several major league farm directors said that they had not heard of players having a difficult time finding work and suffering financial hardship".
-an amusing statement considering they earn $5,000 a year in their chosen field.
Great article but aggravates me nonetheless. People are paid for time and results. Results gets you the bigger paycheck but time should get you something. You ask for $25 a day, when you're giving your whole day, where is justification in denying the pay raise?
No doubt it's a life full of challenges and tough times but it sure beats the heck out of going to work everyday.
Going to work is far easier in my opinion.
ST is 7 days a week about 7AM -4PM.
Breakfast and lunch is usually served at the fields.
Dinner out if they feel like it.
The $20 per day is really meal money, or expense reimbursement.
Usually pick up some fast food on the way to the hotel.
Or, whatever restaurant is close enough to walk.
They don't have time to spend any money.
Stepping up the pace now.
Rehab on shoulder, play catch, or catch some pens for pitchers in the morning, workout a couple of hours from about 1-3, then hit, or throw sometime in the evening.
The pay starts when the season starts, but they don't have time so spend any. They have year round health care and are covered by workers compensation. So, my son received his salary for the remainder of the season after his shoulder surgery. They paid all the medical bills including rehab 5 days a week.
They usually have a meal in the clubhouse about 12 to 1 when the season starts, maybe another light snack an hour or two before the game, and then eat after the game.
They get a meal reimbursement during the season, too.
It's an awesome opportunity that not many get.
No way to really compare a baseball career to a normal career.
A baseball career is really a lifestyle.
ST is 7 days a week about 7AM -4PM.
Breakfast and lunch is usually served at the fields.
Dinner out if they feel like it.
The $20 per day is really meal money, or expense reimbursement.
Usually pick up some fast food on the way to the hotel.
Or, whatever restaurant is close enough to walk.
They don't have time to spend any money.
Stepping up the pace now.
Rehab on shoulder, play catch, or catch some pens for pitchers in the morning, workout a couple of hours from about 1-3, then hit, or throw sometime in the evening.
The pay starts when the season starts, but they don't have time so spend any. They have year round health care and are covered by workers compensation. So, my son received his salary for the remainder of the season after his shoulder surgery. They paid all the medical bills including rehab 5 days a week.
They usually have a meal in the clubhouse about 12 to 1 when the season starts, maybe another light snack an hour or two before the game, and then eat after the game.
They get a meal reimbursement during the season, too.
It's an awesome opportunity that not many get.
No way to really compare a baseball career to a normal career.
A baseball career is really a lifestyle.
quote:Originally posted by FormerObserver:
Going to work is far easier in my opinion.
ST is 7 days a week about 7AM -4PM.
FO, very good point.
Those are the hours if you are putting in the minimum.
Milb is a place you need to do your job better nearly every day you arrive. Not many of us come to work with those types of expectations.
In Milb, if your performance review is a "meets" or "average" you are getting yourself a visit to learn of your release.
It is also important to know that if you stop at 4pm, those players who do extra work, whether in the cages or in the weight room are just that far ahead tomorrow.
The other aspect is that those days in ST are unpaid. Not many places in the US where you go to work at 7am, work at least until 4pm and many times later, do it at the highest level at which you can perform, do it 7 days per week...and don't get paid.
For every other employer in our country, this would be called "illegal."
On this site, we call it a "dream."
quote:Originally posted by FrankF:
Very good article. MLB doesn't seem to care about the minors, like turning down the meal raise. (keep them hungry to make it to the "show"??)
Real good article
Through life we see parallel situations and after reading that article I can't help but think about the 8 Engineering grad students that work for me while they are finishing school. I underpay them, no benis, they work when I need them, but when all is said and done they are learning on the job as an underpaid intern and none complain because they are doing what they want, it is their choice. I need them....they need me, and in this case I call the shots. Sound familiar to the baseball scenario? I'll bet we can equate that in almost any field, from Med school to the kitchen chef.
I started to feel a little guilty for my kid. But then I thought he's making it work, followed the right path in regard to education, and biggest of all, his dream is still in reach. I'll help him through this because anyone at that age who still has a childhood dream in sight is not going to give up because he has to make some short term sacrifices, and I want a good seat to watch. Very seldom in our lives do we come close to those dreams. If nothing else the sacrifices will make you stronger and more willing to pass those traits on.
I'm kind of embarrassed to say so because my son is part of the equation, but, be careful in blaming MLB for the MILB status because I see a correlation between that and the general business structures of America today.
JMO
I'm not real sure how to take the two replies to my post about being in the minors beats going to work everyday by formerobserver and infielddad. I'm very sure they are not attacking me but I am taking the feeling they are telling me I am wrong in what I said. Now I'm not mad or upset over it but I also feel I need to post what I am about to post. I just wanted this little disclaimer ahead of time to show I'm not intending this to be an attack of them. I have never seen the point in creating "drama" on message boards but I have been around long enough to know that people will take things and run with them if there isn't an explanation.
I'm standing by my statement that playing MiLB is better than going to work. Now I didn't say it was easier but that it would be better. I love teaching. I love that I get a pretty good salary doing it. I love that I pretty much have the summer off. I love that in the winter I get to go home at 3:30 and have weekends off. But trust me when I say I would give it all up in less than a heartbeat to be able to play ball.
Now you could say that is a young kid's dream and not realistic now for someone who is out of shape and way too old. But if the opportunity came up for me to coach in MiLB right now my letter of resignation would be turned in tomorrow. If I got the opportunity to coach college ball - which is another long hour, low paying job - I would do it in a heartbeat.
It's true I have no actual experience in the MiLB lifestyle but I'm not a complete stranger to it. I know guys who lived it and we have talked at length about it. None of them tried to romanticize it and make it sound better than what it was so I do understand how tough it is. I would do it at the drop of a hat and I would give it everything I got - just like I do teaching and coaching now.
This next part probably won't go over very well but I'm going to put it anyway. One of you mentioned about going to work at 7 am and ginishing at 4 pm or later is not something lost on me either. After I graduated college I had to earn a living and pay bills. I would leave my apartment (that I shared with my best friend) at 6:50 am and drive a school bus, 4 or 5 times a week I would substitute until about 3 pm, then I would drive the evening route, then I would go back to school and drive some team (football, basketball, drama, band, mock trial etc...) somewhere, then I would get back to school around 10:30 and then back to my apartment around 11 pm. Get up and do it the next day and almost every Saturday was a trip somewhere for some kind of team as well. During the spring I had to give up the driving trips that paid me money in order to coach baseball which didn't pay me money. Now before you say it's not the same let me say that overall I agree. Take ground balls is a lot different than driving a bus and sitting in a classroom babysitting but I bring it up because a job is a job and you do what you have to do in order to make it to the highest level. To me the highest level is my own classroom and my own team. I wasn't going to achieve that without putting some ground work in. I'm in the position I am now because I worked for it and if I didn't work for it there would be another guy who was. If you can't see the parallels of this to baseball and every other job under the sun then I don't know what to tell you.
Looking back at it now I really miss those days because they were fun. They weren't easy because I had to manage my money and make sure I was working everyday somewhere but it was fun.
Like I said before I love what I do, I am glad I do it and I work hard to do it but I would trade it all to be around baseball. When you look back at what you had to do in order to be where you are in life now and all the hard work that entailed how many of you would still choose it over playing baseball?
Like I said I'm not upset but the two responses just didn't quite sit too well with me. Maybe I'm just being a little too thin skinned about it and if I am then I apologize.
I'm standing by my statement that playing MiLB is better than going to work. Now I didn't say it was easier but that it would be better. I love teaching. I love that I get a pretty good salary doing it. I love that I pretty much have the summer off. I love that in the winter I get to go home at 3:30 and have weekends off. But trust me when I say I would give it all up in less than a heartbeat to be able to play ball.
Now you could say that is a young kid's dream and not realistic now for someone who is out of shape and way too old. But if the opportunity came up for me to coach in MiLB right now my letter of resignation would be turned in tomorrow. If I got the opportunity to coach college ball - which is another long hour, low paying job - I would do it in a heartbeat.
It's true I have no actual experience in the MiLB lifestyle but I'm not a complete stranger to it. I know guys who lived it and we have talked at length about it. None of them tried to romanticize it and make it sound better than what it was so I do understand how tough it is. I would do it at the drop of a hat and I would give it everything I got - just like I do teaching and coaching now.
This next part probably won't go over very well but I'm going to put it anyway. One of you mentioned about going to work at 7 am and ginishing at 4 pm or later is not something lost on me either. After I graduated college I had to earn a living and pay bills. I would leave my apartment (that I shared with my best friend) at 6:50 am and drive a school bus, 4 or 5 times a week I would substitute until about 3 pm, then I would drive the evening route, then I would go back to school and drive some team (football, basketball, drama, band, mock trial etc...) somewhere, then I would get back to school around 10:30 and then back to my apartment around 11 pm. Get up and do it the next day and almost every Saturday was a trip somewhere for some kind of team as well. During the spring I had to give up the driving trips that paid me money in order to coach baseball which didn't pay me money. Now before you say it's not the same let me say that overall I agree. Take ground balls is a lot different than driving a bus and sitting in a classroom babysitting but I bring it up because a job is a job and you do what you have to do in order to make it to the highest level. To me the highest level is my own classroom and my own team. I wasn't going to achieve that without putting some ground work in. I'm in the position I am now because I worked for it and if I didn't work for it there would be another guy who was. If you can't see the parallels of this to baseball and every other job under the sun then I don't know what to tell you.
Looking back at it now I really miss those days because they were fun. They weren't easy because I had to manage my money and make sure I was working everyday somewhere but it was fun.
Like I said before I love what I do, I am glad I do it and I work hard to do it but I would trade it all to be around baseball. When you look back at what you had to do in order to be where you are in life now and all the hard work that entailed how many of you would still choose it over playing baseball?
Like I said I'm not upset but the two responses just didn't quite sit too well with me. Maybe I'm just being a little too thin skinned about it and if I am then I apologize.
It always takes two to tango, but if MLB could get the kids to pay to play that would be the business model. Unfortunately, MLB has a long and illustrious history of abusing labor. Why are they exempt from minimum wage laws?quote:be careful in blaming MLB for the MILB status because I see a correlation between that and the general business structures of America today.
coach2709,
I guess your post might have influenced my thoughts, but honestly, I never thought of you specifically while I wrote my post at all.
I offered my perspective because I have been to work and I have been to my son's work.
I never could have done what he does.
That's why my opinion is that work is easier than baseball.
I do think it is true that a bad day at the ballfield is better than a good day at the office.
But that is because I am sitting and watching.
I don't like to post to make a baseball career sound more glamorous than it is, or make it seem worse than what it really is.
I think the 'work' is far more difficult than most realize.
The pay is certainly an issue, but it is not impossible.
Please forgive me, but that is a glamorous thought that everyone has at one time or another.
And, after about two weeks of ST your thinking kinda switches over to:
Coach, I'm not beating on you, but I hope the irony of your words, with some italicized twisting on my part, conveys some of my perspective on my son's baseball career............
I guess your post might have influenced my thoughts, but honestly, I never thought of you specifically while I wrote my post at all.
I offered my perspective because I have been to work and I have been to my son's work.
I never could have done what he does.
That's why my opinion is that work is easier than baseball.
I do think it is true that a bad day at the ballfield is better than a good day at the office.
But that is because I am sitting and watching.
I don't like to post to make a baseball career sound more glamorous than it is, or make it seem worse than what it really is.
I think the 'work' is far more difficult than most realize.
The pay is certainly an issue, but it is not impossible.
quote:But trust me when I say I would give it all up in less than a heartbeat to be able to play ball.
Please forgive me, but that is a glamorous thought that everyone has at one time or another.
And, after about two weeks of ST your thinking kinda switches over to:
quote:I wasn't going to achieve that without putting some ground work in. I'm in the position I am now because I worked for it and if I didn't work for it there would be another guy who was.
quote:If you can't see the parallels of this to every other job under the sun and baseball then I don't know what to tell you
Coach, I'm not beating on you, but I hope the irony of your words, with some italicized twisting on my part, conveys some of my perspective on my son's baseball career............
Please forgive my ignorance but I don't understand anything you put after you edited it. I understand the first part about the work required is harder than people realize. I realize that and not saying it's not but after that I have no idea what you are saying.
It's easy to say that you would give up everything in a heartbeat to play baseball.
After about two weeks of spring training, you begin to realize how much work has been put into getting there and how much work it is to stay.
That is not easy to do.
Reality begins to set in after about two weeks and takes a full seat about July the 5th.
After about two weeks of spring training, you begin to realize how much work has been put into getting there and how much work it is to stay.
That is not easy to do.
Reality begins to set in after about two weeks and takes a full seat about July the 5th.
Ok I understand what you are getting at now. But could you be saying that because of what you said earlier...
Now I don't know why you said that but just because it turns into work doesn't always diminish the desire to be there. Some guys realize it is work and it is a job and they don't want to do it. I went to high school with a guy who was in the Reds organization. At the time he was the 7th fastest (or something close to that) in the entire organization. He quit and came home. When we talked to him about it that is exactly what he said - it was hard work.
But I have talked to guys who were either still playing or done playing who said they loved every day of it.
I can't say for sure which I would be but I would be willing to bet I would be the latter.
quote:I never could have done what he does.
Now I don't know why you said that but just because it turns into work doesn't always diminish the desire to be there. Some guys realize it is work and it is a job and they don't want to do it. I went to high school with a guy who was in the Reds organization. At the time he was the 7th fastest (or something close to that) in the entire organization. He quit and came home. When we talked to him about it that is exactly what he said - it was hard work.
But I have talked to guys who were either still playing or done playing who said they loved every day of it.
I can't say for sure which I would be but I would be willing to bet I would be the latter.
I think most of us on this site works for a living.... but pro ball is not a job, its a lifestyle and I think thats what makes it different than most jobs.
Players don't come home after work, You leave in Feb. you get home in Sept.
There are no friends during the season out side of team mates.
There are no family events, (reunions,weddings,graduations,holidays,bithdays etc.) during the season.
There are no sick days,you have a fever... you MAY sit out a game but your in the dug out.
You put in your time, learn your trade,work very hard for VERY little money and know matter how hard you work you have a very good chance of having nothing to show for it, but a life time of memories.
Players don't come home after work, You leave in Feb. you get home in Sept.
There are no friends during the season out side of team mates.
There are no family events, (reunions,weddings,graduations,holidays,bithdays etc.) during the season.
There are no sick days,you have a fever... you MAY sit out a game but your in the dug out.
You put in your time, learn your trade,work very hard for VERY little money and know matter how hard you work you have a very good chance of having nothing to show for it, but a life time of memories.
quote:Originally posted by Dad04:
It always takes two to tango, but if MLB could get the kids to pay to play that would be the business model. Unfortunately, MLB has a long and illustrious history of abusing labor. Why are they exempt from minimum wage laws?
Good point.
I think it has been stated on this and every other site that fans look at playing baseball as a privilege and many having that privilege (MLB) are overpaid to do so. When you have such a wide disparity on payday the public focus is usually shifted to the high end and the low end suffers. MLB is the headliner and MILB is a revolving door where it's members main concern is getting to the big stage and will sacrifice the "pain" in order to get there. It's tough to get "buy-in" of labor abuse when the employees don't complain and everytime you turn around a new guy is at the locker next door. If you're moving up, you keep your mouth shut.....If your moving down, you keep your mouth shut.
Obama's "to do" list has now added 1
1- Fix Football BCS
2- Adjust World Baseball schedule
3- MiLB pay increase
quote:MLB is the headliner and MILB is a revolving door where it's members main concern is getting to the big stage and will sacrifice the "pain" in order to get there. It's tough to get "buy-in" when the employees don't complain and every time you turn around a new guy is at the locker next door.
I may be off base in this next thought, but part of what I hear from parents of MiLB players (whether in posts here or talking offline), is that aside from the hard work, long hours, low pay, and bus trips, the toughest part of being a minor league player is that you never know when you will get called into the office and told that all of it has just ended for you!
Now I can relate to that part of it, because of the "real job" I have chosen. I'm a freelance "contract consultant" in the Web development field, and as a contractor my assignment could end any day, with no notice. I won't bore you with all the details of why I choose this instead of being someone's regular employee (interesting projects, flexibility in schedule, higher pay). But like a minor league player, freelance "contract consultants" have no job security. That has to weigh heavily at times on the minds of MiLB players...and their parents!
I just hope and pray that all of "our" sons, the MiLB players of HS Baseball Web members, will have terrific, successful seasons. Spring Training is just around the corner!
Julie
quote:just because it turns into work doesn't always diminish the desire to be there.
An excellent point, and, I think those players chances of making it are much higher.
quote:quote:
MLB is the headliner and MILB is a revolving door where it's members main concern is getting to the big stage and will sacrifice the "pain" in order to get there. It's tough to get "buy-in" when the employees don't complain and every time you turn around a new guy is at the locker next door.
I may be off base in this next thought, but part of what I hear from parents of MiLB players (whether in posts here or talking offline), is that aside from the hard work, long hours, low pay, and bus trips, the toughest part of being a minor league player is that you never know when you will get called into the office and told that all of it has just ended for you!
Both great quotes.
The players know there is no guarantee of anything yet because of the love of the game they do it. That said, reality sets in and the boys are smart enough to see the writing on the wall. I know this is my sons "make or break" season.
One of my sons friends was let go just last week. Completely out of the blue and a shock to all.
You just never know what tomorrow brings and that goes for life as well as baseball.
I echo Julie's well wishes for all our boys this season.
It is a roller coaster ride... and the highs and lows can be very stressful on the player and his family
It is a make or break job, there are very few 2nd chances
It is a make or break job, there are very few 2nd chances
quote:rz posted: It's tough to get "buy-in" of labor abuse when the employees don't complain and everytime you turn around a new guy is at the locker next door. If you're moving up, you keep your mouth shut.....If your moving down, you keep your mouth shut.
PUHLEEEZE!!! If that was the case everywhere we would still have 8 year old kids fixing those old timey weaving machines getting their hands chopped off for $0.25 a day. The government got involved in labor and is involved today because of the horrible abuses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Just because an 18 year old kid wants to work for a billionaire for basically free, that doesn't make it right all in my humble opinion. It strikes me as feudal in nature. What keeps Walmart from holding out the carrot of an Assistant Managers badge as the dream worth starting at $3.00 an hour? There are alot of reasons there are 50 rounds of the draft. Pay is one.
The kids drafted into "professional" ball are the best in the world. That fact alone should earn them an income above the fry cook at Wendy's, or at least equal.
Minor League hockey guys are paid like everyone else. That is barely a major sport with zero TV revenue. Baseball players should be also. I'll never understand why they aren't unionized. It is a situation that screams for organization.
quote:But I have talked to guys who were either still playing or done playing who said they loved every day of it.
Coach, I don't doubt that is true when they talk about "playing." It sure is with every MILB and former MILB player with whom I have spoken.
Where we diverge is when the discussions turn to the experience in Milb when you are not "playing." I am very careful on this board. I recognize the dream.
But, there can be a time when far too many minor leaguers are no longer players. They transition to a commodity; a liability on a balance sheet. The reason is they have sustained a serious, career threatening injury.
They transition from talking with coaches to hearing from risk managers. These are the people who manage money. They are entrusted with the obligation to address and meet MLB and Milb's legal responsibilities to the player for things like baseball related injuries that result in serious disabilities, some impacting the player for the rest of their work life.
The transition from player and prospect to commodity and liability occurs in ways that are unknown to the player.
That process can impact young men to their very core. It can strip them of their pride, integrity, and sense of decency.
It is, for me, a troubling side of Milb.
It is a deeply sobering experience to speak with these young men.
The last time I checked MLB didn't put a gun to anyone's head.
there are lots of businesses that don't even pay their interns at all.
I was around MiLB for about 13 years. I attended practices etc and I didn't hear anyone complain. They actually were quite happy. Lots of girls hanging around and trips to the local roadhouses. Most players with bonuses were locked in for 4 years unless released. One Aussie tried backing out after his 3rd year and was threatened with a lawsuit for the balance of his $500,000 bonus. He finished his term but was not the player he was.
The real hard part was getting released after 3-4 years and having nothing to fall back on. Of the hundreds of great players there were only a few who made it to MLB as an everyday player. Not only do you have to survive MiLB but you have to be good enough to be an everyday player. Lots of guys released after injuries when they couldn't get back to their former level of play.
You also have to remember that MiLB teams are often money losers. That is why our team left and the 3 others that came after them.
We look at the peanuts they get paid but forget that for every guy who makes it there are least 4 or 5 they carry who don't. Also drafting HS players is usually a huge risk and costs a ton to sign and developer.
there are lots of businesses that don't even pay their interns at all.
I was around MiLB for about 13 years. I attended practices etc and I didn't hear anyone complain. They actually were quite happy. Lots of girls hanging around and trips to the local roadhouses. Most players with bonuses were locked in for 4 years unless released. One Aussie tried backing out after his 3rd year and was threatened with a lawsuit for the balance of his $500,000 bonus. He finished his term but was not the player he was.
The real hard part was getting released after 3-4 years and having nothing to fall back on. Of the hundreds of great players there were only a few who made it to MLB as an everyday player. Not only do you have to survive MiLB but you have to be good enough to be an everyday player. Lots of guys released after injuries when they couldn't get back to their former level of play.
You also have to remember that MiLB teams are often money losers. That is why our team left and the 3 others that came after them.
We look at the peanuts they get paid but forget that for every guy who makes it there are least 4 or 5 they carry who don't. Also drafting HS players is usually a huge risk and costs a ton to sign and developer.
The prospects need organizational players to play with. The prospects got paid money to sign. The organizational players signed for a happy meal. At least pay everybody what the guy gets paid to make the happy meal. They charge less admission to watch AA players than a D2 ball game. That's whack.
When I start feeling bad for my kid 'cause he's 2,500 miles from home enduring low pay, 15 hour bus rides, and elusive feelings of success...
...I remember how many US families have a similar-aged son sitting in a fox-hole 6,000 miles away wondering if they'll ever see him again.
By some measures, MiLB is a cakewalk and college is an extended umbilical cord.
...I remember how many US families have a similar-aged son sitting in a fox-hole 6,000 miles away wondering if they'll ever see him again.
By some measures, MiLB is a cakewalk and college is an extended umbilical cord.
quote:Lots of guys released after injuries when they couldn't get back to their former level of play.
BHD, the fact that Milb teams lose money has nothing to do with Milb players. They don't pay the players, they just reap the appreciation in franchise value from having the kids or they move to another location where they get better deals from a City and more appreciation for their franchise.
On your post above, I recently talked with young man who experienced what you describe. He had multiple shoulder surgeries and a back surgery from playing Milb.
When I talked with him, he was being told the team had no more liability for his medical care. He was told he got an injury settlement. The total was less than $5,000.
Seem right to you from your years hanging around MLB and Milb?
Infield I know this is a sore point with you but BB at all levels past HS is a brutal business. Do I( agree or like what I have seen ? Probably not in most cases. That is hwy I never want my son to play pro ball. Been around it and know what it can be like. At some point you have to move on. I prefer sooner than later.
I especially understand the capital appreciation part of the MiLB equation. The owners sold the last franchise for 3-4 million profit after only a few years. Not all get so lucky. The new city offered a new ball park and cheap rent.
I especially understand the capital appreciation part of the MiLB equation. The owners sold the last franchise for 3-4 million profit after only a few years. Not all get so lucky. The new city offered a new ball park and cheap rent.
quote:Been around it and know what it can be like. At some point you have to move on. I prefer sooner than later.
Your advice and position is exactly what MLB wants players to do. It is what has happened for many players.
There are other options. The one I am choosing is to take a stand on what is, in my view, right and wrong. I have chosen to take a stand and insist or make sure, whenever I can or am asked, that injured players receive what the laws require for employees who get hurt at work. What disabled players are entitled to receive is often times vastly different/greater than what MLB provides in the standard Milb contract.
My view is that a $6,000,000,000 per year industry should not require disabled minor league players to absorb that lifetime impact on their ability to work.
Laws governing what is to be paid to injured employees provide some social and political balance. While they are not perfect, they are preferable to what happens to some players who never learn of their rights under those laws or may not receive what the law requires of their employer.
In these situations, it is my opinion that just because it is in the Milb contract does not make it right or acceptable.
I am not sure I agree but I can understand how you feel.
quote:If that was the case everywhere we would still have 8 year old kids fixing those old timey weaving machines getting their hands chopped off for $0.25 a day.
Lets not say that too loud as my twins, limbs attached, thought I'd gotten them great jobs
On a serious note. Many of our kids are walking this MiLB tightrope hoping for the best in the end, some have have hit the end of their professional careers uninjured and moved on, some unfortunately are realizing the pitfalls of the MiLB "sweatshops". In the end everyone, whether we have kids involved or not, understands that the next level has bumps in the road also. I'll admit I knock on wood every day for my families health because I know many things are out of my control, justifiably or not.
I can only wonder.....
If my sons TJ surgery was a complete failure, what would have happened to his scholarship in college, Could it have been rescinded by the school? Is that fair?
Is the scholarship system set up by the NCAA fair to the athletes?
Does the government in general rip us all off one way or the other in our regular day life.
We all know the answers, and we all know there is injustice that surrounds every faction of our lives. The NCAA, insurance industry, medical field, taxes, retirement systems, social security, and the list goes on, all of which we have opinions, few of which are acted on successfully. MiLB baseball is low on the totem pole and as long there is lawyer around and few litigation's, there will be a stalemate. IMHO
I have a dog in the fight, and I agree with every comment on the injustice. However, I'm a glass half full guy and IMO the empty half is not something I don't want to dwell on. I've gotten some great advice from friends on how to prepare and what to do a in case of "issues" but until then I would rather look at the full half where the kid is living a dream few get to see.
MiLB is such short part of ones life that I want to enjoy those minutes in the sun rather than think of the alternatives that we can't control.