Umps Call Foul on Background Check Plan MLB talks break off over Donaghy-inspired 'integrity' probes By Max Brallier Posted Aug 7, 2007 4:34 AM CDT Copied Home plate umpire Brian Runge wipes sweat off his forehead during a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-3. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) (Associated Press) Major League Baseball is planning a series of detailed background checks for all umpires, spurred by the NBA's referee gambling scandal. But the umps aren't pleased: Discussions with their new union drifted foul when the league balked at their compromise request to add a 7th ump to postseason games. MLB says it won't make an "economic concession in return for the members being forthcoming on what we regard to be an integrity issue." A union spokesman replied: "We understand the need in light of what's taken place. But we feel we just don't need to have a knee-jerk reaction and a witch hunt." Read These Next Report zeroes in on some sadistic Russian commanders. Man wakes from coma, says girlfriend crashed car on purpose. Poll reveals what we really think about DST. Andrew Windsor has an uncertain future as a commoner. Report an error