Umpires Say Lockout by Owners Is Planned

Major league umpires filed an unfair labor practices charge against the American and National leagues Tuesday, claiming the leagues plan to lock out umpires from opening-day games unless they reach a contract agreement.

Six days before the start of the regular season, umpires’ union chief Richie Phillips called an agreement unlikely “if baseball maintains its present posture.”

Phillips’ filing said the leagues were withholding April pay from the 60 umpires.

Robert Kheel, the negotiator for the two leagues, acknowledged the umpires had not been paid, saying that was because the leagues “were waiting to see what will happen.”

In the event of a strike or lockout, the major leagues would use amateur umpires, Kheel said.