Angry Cards Fan Wants To Tax Umpires

[Valadius]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-umpiretax&prov=ap&type=lgns

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A state lawmaker and Cardinals fan says umpires should pay for what he sees as bad calls made during the playoff series in which St. Louis lost to the Houston Astros.

Rep. Jeff Roorda wants to expand the state athlete and entertainer tax to cover officials such as umpires and referees. The tax is charged to out-of-state residents who earn money in Missouri while performing in such events as baseball games and concerts. The revenues are supposed to go to the arts, public libraries and other cultural programs.

Roorda said his idea grew out of his frustration with umpires in the NL championship series. But he also contends that it is logical to tax the officials affecting a game's outcome, not just the athletes who play it.

``I think if they're not going to pay attention, they ought to at least pay taxes,'' Roorda said Wednesday. ``Seriously though, I think it's good public policy. Referees and umpires play a critical role in the outcome of this game and are part of the entertainment experience.''

Roorda said he doesn't know how much money would be generated by the tax but guessed it wouldn't reach the amount Missouri could have gained in tourism dollars if it hosted a World Series.

He plans to file the tax legislation in December for consideration during the legislative session that starts in January.

[metsmarathon]

that's just dumb. if my rep voted for that, i would make a point to not vote for him.

[Valadius]

Valadius wrote: Roorda said he doesn't know how much money would be generated by the tax but guessed it wouldn't reach the amount Missouri could have gained in tourism dollars if it hosted a World Series.

Can you say "bitter"?

[metirish]

I think Cards fans are still bitter over the blown call in 85,anyway this is dumb...the "best fans in baseball" should no better.

[Diamond Dad]

It is said that bad calls are part of the game.

I wonder -- and I've never heard of it -- whether in the long and storied history of the game, has there ever been a situation where a player or a manager "admitted" that the ump had blown a call, and agreed to reverse the call and let the other side get out from under the bad call?

Ever have a fielder tell the ump, "Na, I missed him, he was safe" after an out call?

Ever have a batter say, "Nope, I didn't foul tip it" after getting a reprieve from a swinging third strike?

Ever have a catcher or an outfielder say, "I trapped it" after an out call based on a clean catch?

I've never heard of it. Only in golf do the players call penalties on themselves, and voluntarily admit to rules violations, even if nobody else saw it.

Wonder whether the player or manager would be fined if they tried it??

[Guest Edgy DC]

I remember a soccer goaltender winning Eurpoean Sportsman of the Year or some such thing because he admitted to the ref that a shot had crossed the goal-line before he blocked it.

But no, I know of no such gesture in beisbol. I think players feel entitled to whatever good luck comes their way.

[nymr83]

Diamond Dad wrote: I wonder -- and I've never heard of it -- whether in the long and storied history of the game, has there ever been a situation where a player or a manager "admitted" that the ump had blown a call, and agreed to reverse the call and let the other side get out from under the bad call?

this only happens when theres no referee/umpire...though there are still going to be assholes who claim they were fouled when nobody touched them.

[HahnSolo]

Okay, this guy is obviously desperately trying to draw attention to himself, and I hate do add to it, or even make it seem like I agree with anything he said. But I do have a question: why aren't the umps subjected to the same "entertainment" tax as players?