5 retired MLB umpires — including Joe West — sue benefit plan, alleging they are owed more money

NEW YORK (AP) – Five retired umpires have sued their retirement plan from their work for Major League Baseball and the plan's retirement committee, alleging they are owed extra capital.

Key points

• Joe West, Tom Hallion, Gerry Davis, Larry Vanover and Jerry Layne filed the lawsuit on Sept.
• They asserted their benefits were not correctly calculated and alleged they should receive further funds under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
• "Does Steve Gonzalez not know my history with dealing with lawsuits?" West remarked.
• According to West, when he brought up the problem to the retirement committee, he was offered a relatively small sum.

Joe West, Tom Hallion, Gerry Davis, Larry Vanover and Jerry Layne filed the lawsuit on Sept. 29 in federal court in New York.

They asserted their benefits were not correctly calculated and alleged they should receive further funds under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Their lawyer, Paul B. Holmes, remarked Thursday the amount owed the five is in excess of $2 million.

According to West, when he brought up the problem to the retirement committee, he was offered a relatively small sum. West remarked MLB senior vice president and chief employment counsel Steven Gonzalez informed him: "If you don't like the number, sue us."

In short, 5 retired MLB umpires – including Joe West – sue benefit plan, is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.