11.   For one, the umpires have a formidable union and a contentious leader in Richie Phillips.

12.   However, the umpires have wide discretionary power to deal with issues not covered in the rule book.

13.   If for no other reason than perception alone, the leagues should strip away some of the power the umpires have.

14.   If plate umpire Jeff Nelson had some knowledge of Scott Elarton, he would have realized the big righthander has no room for error these days.

15.   If the court were to grant that request, the umpires would have until that date to decide if they really wanted to resign.

16.   In reality, the umpires have no leverage.

17.   Individual umpires do have different strike zones.

18.   It is already accepted fact that umpires have different strike zones.

19.   It was his belief that taller umpires called more high strikes and shorter umpires had a lower strike zone.

20.   It was suggested that umpires would have to agreed to accountability, like the players.