Rutgers Law–Camden Takes Second Place in National Baseball Arbitration Competition

Just talking about baseball promises the nearness of spring. But, before professional teams can play ball, another high-stakes “game” must be played: salary arbitration.

A team of Rutgers Law–Camden students stepped up to compete with more than 100 participants from law schools across the country in the Tulane University Law School’s National Baseball Arbitration Competition in New Orleans last week.

Not only did the Rutgers Law students get the chance to compete with peers and showcase their skills in front of baseball professionals and lawyers in the field, they came back to Camden with a large trophy.

Led by team advisor Rutgers Law–Camden Associate Dean of Enrollment Camille Andrews, law students Rich Rieders, Robert Banas, Brandon Theiss, Amanda McGrath, and Gregory DiSipio came in second place overall, losing just to the University of Ottawa in the finals. Their written briefs were also ranked third overall in their category.

"It is especially gratifying and exciting to see our law school place so highly in only our third year of national competition," said Andrews. "I'm very proud of all five members of this team. They worked extremely hard to prepare for this prestigious competition, practicing many nights and weekends to quickly develop final offer arbitration skills, and they represented Rutgers, exceptionally well. Many of the professional lawyers and sports insiders judging the competition told our team members that seasoned professionals would be served by emulating their style and thoroughness.”

Sponsored by the Tulane Sports Law Society, this simulated salary arbitration competition models Major League Baseball (MLB)’s procedures.  Teams and players who file for arbitration typically present offers in January and if a settlement isn’t reached, a hearing takes place in February. During the hearing, the player’s side must argue for a salary $1 above the “midpoint,” while the team must present on how the player should be paid $1 less than the midpoint. According to ESPN, the financial stakes can vary based on individual player's service time and on-field achievements.

What impressed third-year law student Greg DiSipio the most about the competition were the arbitrators.  Industry professionals serve as judges or participate in a panel discussion at the close of the competition. This year, representatives came from the Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds, as well as attorneys from the MLB and its players association.  

“The arbitrators all gave us valuable feedback about baseball arbitration, arbitration in general, and about the legal careers ahead of us,” says DiSipio. “I think over the past couple of years Rutgers has begun forging a great reputation down at the competition, and I'm hopeful that the trend will continue.”

Teammate Robert Banas, equally impressed with the experience and his team’s performance, is calling his shot, professionally:

“I have always loved baseball, and so this competition has opened up the possibility of combining that passion with my legal experience,” he says.  “I hope to one day become part of the legal team for the New York Yankees.”

To learn more about other moot court opportunities available at Rutgers Law–Camden, visit http://camlaw.rutgers.edu/moot-court-competitions.