where do the numbers come from ?

[actvii]

Okay here's my dumb question for today:smachhead:

Where do the numbers the umpires have on their gear come from? The umpire chief in the league I'm working says choose any number you like that's not being used by anybody in our system:shrug: what do you guy's say

[DirtyDawg]

As far as I understand, that's right. The number on an umpire's uniform is kind of like the number on the back of a player's jersey. Just an easier way to represent an umpire.

[BrianC14]

Okay here's my dumb question for today:smachhead:

Where do the numbers the umpires have on their gear come from? The umpire chief in the league I'm working says choose any number you like that's not being used by anybody in our system:shrug: what do you guy's say

That's the way our association works.

I wanted 14, but it was taken, so I chose 41, as it was available.

[slo8140]

I have only work in one association or state that required numbers. The first year I was 58. In that association, better more tenured umpires had lower numbers. They wanted me to change to a lower number, but I knew I would only be in the area a couple of years and did not want to have to pay to move or change my shirt numbers each year. That could get expensive...especially with all the colors we have in our arsenal now...back then it was only navy and powder with the r/w/b.

I did not like the number system...as soon as the umpires walked on the field the fans and teams knew or at least thought they knew the quality of umpire they had for a particular game.

[johneng]

Our association doesn't require numbers, but we are advised that if we want to put a number on our shirt we should use the last two on our ID. For example mine is M-2717 thus making my number 17.

[Aging_Arbiter]

It's purely local. I was in an association and my number was 47. When my Little League DUC wanted to go with numbers, I just kept 47 since I already had a few shirts with them sewn on.

[ump81]

Guys, Our association has about 130 guys, we only get numbers when we reach varsity High School status, its an honor to get that call after maybe 3-5 or more years of rec and sub-varsity ball, to go out and get numbers on your sleeve. When called I asked what was available, most were higher numbers but 81 was avail. It was a superstition thing for me, I was 81 in football as a receiver, I was 9 in youth and HS ball and 19 in college as a pitcher, I wore number 1 as goalie in hockey and soccer, so all my numbers were variations on the 1 and 9 theme, 9 being my favorite good luck number, so I figured 8 plus 1 is still 9! am I crazy or what. 81 has been good to me, I have worked up through the ranks and now am on a few Div I staffs, I would fight hard not to changed it now, its also a cheapness factor when a new assignor asks what number I always say 81, its usually never taken and I just use velcro to change out the conference or league patches on my already numbered shirts. So to answer your question I don't think there is any method to the number assigining, even in the Majors. We have a few second generation guys who have inherited their dads numbers, I think that is a nice gesture. We used to have that feeling also that the lower number the better the guy,but then they all got old slow, blind and retired! (kidding) and now we have recycled some the the older, lower numbers to newer guys, and the higher numbers now have the feeling as the better guys. Its all numerology and superstition as far as numbers go, pick one that is your favorite or lucky for you and wear it with pride. my take. ump 81

[mstaylor]

My assoc. doesn't require numbers but we track the numbers of any who wish to wear them. I was 23 originally but when I joined the college group I had to change numbers because of a conflict. We had another guy that wanted my 23 but I wouldn't let him have because I didn't want to buy all new shirts. When I changed he went from 17 to 23. Another guy wanted his 17 so he told him he could have it but he had to buy all his old shirts. It sucks to be the new guy.

[Don]

Over 100 in the assoc so numbers not required. However, my son picked 9 when he was in college because that assoc required numbers and it was the only single digit available, thus cost less to put on shirts.

[willv28]

No rhyme or reason to the numbers here. I was given 25 as they wanted to keep them grouped together. So, outside the older gent who has 11, we're 28, 27, 26 and 25. Though no numbers would be cheaper, I like that people know where we're from sometimes during all-stars, the numbering is district wide.

[Stan W.]

I never had numbers before, the PIAA does not use them, but got into another level association, that said you could have any number not taken already...

I made up a list of numbers I would be happy with.....

My number in HS was 55 for football and 5 for baseball......my dad was 21, my son was 5 or 18....my brother was 36...Butkus was my hero as a kid so 51 was in the mix...

so 5, 18, 21, 36, 51 or 55...submitted my list.....

I got #55....couldnt be happier...

Edited October 23, 2009 by Stan W.

[Umpire in Chief]

I got my number because I'm a cheapskate. My buddy Sundevil#71 moved up to Maine and sold me all of his shirts really cheap. Up there they don't use numbers or association patches. He left this spring and I earned my numbers this fall so it was a smooth transition. I then ordered numbers for all of my other shirts and had them sewn on. So I'm now #71.

[Aging_Arbiter]

Okay here's my dumb question for today:smachhead:

Where do the numbers the umpires have on their gear come from? The umpire chief in the league I'm working says choose any number you like that's not being used by anybody in our system:shrug: what do you guy's say

So after seeing some responses........did you choose??

[actvii]

I'm gonna go with #37 it's always been a lucky number for me

[mazzamouth]

I choose #40 to wear in honor of Pat Tillman... I know it sounds weird, but a guy who gave up Millions and playing in the NFL to go fight a war... of course I could have pick Teddy ball game, Joe D..and a list of other during WWII....

[Umpire in Chief]

I choose #40 to wear in honor of Pat Tillman... I know it sounds weird, but a guy who gave up Millions and playing in the NFL to go fight a war... of course I could have pick Teddy ball game, Joe D..and a list of other during WWII....

Tilman was a great man.

[zm1283]

For number placement, is 1 inch above the cuff on a short sleeve shirt correct? How about on a long sleeve shirt or jacket? I have heard 2 1/2 inches from the shoulder seam. Is that correct also?

[Fittske24]

In my association the number is used to identify the official. You may visit a school once or twice in a season, so the number gives the HC an easy way to identify you to the association. If the coach wants to give you praise or a complaint, he does so by your uniform number.

[Mike Prince]

For number placement, is 1 inch above the cuff on a short sleeve shirt correct? How about on a long sleeve shirt or jacket? I have heard 2 1/2 inches from the shoulder seam. Is that correct also?

I would just line up the shoulder seams of the SS and LS jerseys and place the number on the LS using the SS as a guide.

I picked 6 for my number because it was available, it saved me 50% vs. double digits, and our head umpire was number 3 and he might be about 5'7", I am 6"4" so as a joke of sorts I doubled his number.

[Fittske24]

For number placement, is 1 inch above the cuff on a short sleeve shirt correct? How about on a long sleeve shirt or jacket? I have heard 2 1/2 inches from the shoulder seam. Is that correct also?

Honigs has agreat guide for number placement:

http://www.honigs.com/pdf/numberplacement.pdf

[Umpire in Chief]

Honigs has agreat guide for number placement:

http://www.honigs.com/pdf/numberplacement.pdf

Good find.

I have my mother sew my numbers on. And told her 1" from the cuff for my short sleeve shirst then she overlayed the long sleeve shirt and placed my other numbers.

[yawetag]

I have my mother sew my numbers on.

Nothing wrong with that. My grandmother stitched my original shirts.

[mazzamouth]

I never asked , just put them on..LOL I picked 40 for Pat Tillman, Since he gave up alot ( I know, I know he is not the only), but the only one in my era..

[Umpire in Chief]

Nothing wrong with that. My grandmother stitched my original shirts.

It's funny my mother lives 8 hours away and when I go to see her I have a handfull of things I need sewed and she has things which need to be moved to/from the attic or other heavy lifting.

I win out every other Thanksgiving as I get to go to the Clemson vs SC game! That's worth all the work.

[TX-UIC]

The two states I worked in Ohio and Texas (OHSAA and TASO) do not allow numbers for School ball... so why waste the money on #'s.. but I did get a few B) shirts for the summer a long time ago with 74 but never again.