Baseball umpires upset over inquiry

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball umpires are upset over background checks being conducted by MLB that some umps say are questionable and inappropriate.

Three umpires recently eported their neighbors said they were asked by investigators if they had any knowledge of drug use, spousal abuse or membership in the Ku Klux Klan by umpires, USA Today reported Thursday.

Union spokesman Lamell McMorris said the union has evidence of such questioning despite MLB's denial, the report said.

MLB proposed conducting background checks on umpires after last year's scandal involving National Basketball Association referee Tim Donaghy, who admitted betting on games.