In 1882 the American Association payed four regular umpires a $140 monthly salary, gave them $3 per diem and requested them to take an oath of honesty.

During the National Association (1871-1875) and early years of the National League umpires were hard to find as illustrated by this Al Spalding quote, "To secure the presence of intelligent, honest, unprejudiced, quick witted, courageous umpires at all contests in scheduled games has been one of the most vexatious problems confronting those in control of our national sport."

There were many early incidents where players literally attacked umpires. In 1927, Commissioner Landis required a ninety-day suspension for any such attack and in 1940 it was changed to a one year suspension.