New Smitty Shirts

[kcfan102]

I knew it would happen eventually, and I'm sure many on here won't even think about buying this. But for sake of equipment news, here it is:

Smitty now offeres the Majestic style polos they wear in the bigs. They are $26 compared to the $35 of the majestic. They claim it's the same "100% polyester pebble knit" that the majestics have. I might buy a pair just to have.

Purchase Officials also has a pink alternative that was posted on eBay a few weeks ago.

Purchase Officials

They also have new thermal jackets...

I'm always looking for a deal. They are $70 compared to the Majestic $90. I'm wondering two things:

1. Are they the same quality, only Majestic charges more because they are "official"

Or 2. The Majestics are higher quality, that's why they are more expensive.

Either way, this has been Brandon reporting for U-E news...

...Stay tuned for the weather.

[Umpy]

Why is that shirt pictured with brown pants?

[Stretch]

It looks like the old "sage" grey pants from a few years back.

[Kevin Finnerty]

That's great to know, if we have to include those in the rotation, that we don't have to pay full pop for a Majestic, or (I'll try to restrain myself) give that Official's Choice clown another dime, helping him stay around another year.

I would buy the black shirt---despite its bizarre design---but the polo blue one is positively the worst-looking thing I've ever even imagined. As for both designs: What's with the broken trim stripe on the sleeves, and what's with the piping on the sides? Good grief; couldn't they have simply made a clean-looking all-black shirt?

I would bet that the shirt and the jacket are of comparable quality to the main ones, and could be a worthwhile alternative. Nice catch, Brandon! This should be a fun topic.

[kcfan102]

My dad bought a majestic thermabase and I plan on buying a smitty thermal and compare them.

[sdix00]

I already bought the blue and black shirts from The OC at $12 each. I feel good knowing he didn't make any money off of me. In fact, I have probably bought 12-15 shirts from him to fill out my kids and my wardrobes so I have a matching shirts for any partner. Never spent more than $17 on any shirt from OC. His 2011 MLB copies are actually not that bad, pretty comfortable and cool/breathable, but they don't yet make up for all the sub-standard stuff I have bought from him over the last couple years as a new ill-informed umpire. He actually called me and argued at me (not "with", "at") for posting my negative experiences with his product. I try not to buy from him, but at $12, I got mines.

As far as the stripes go, I can't stand them on shirts, let alone jackets, shoes, anything. But you can't have a solid black polo, because then I could buy my shirts at Target for $15. Then I would get to keep some of my own money instead of giving it to Majestic or Smitty, or whatever.

This whole change in design reminds me of a story I read as a kid:

Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars.

The Plain-Belly Sneetches had none upon thars.

. . .

When the Star-Belly children went out to play ball,

Could a Plain Belly get in the game? Not at all.

[sdix00]

Smitty needs to start using mannequins with 38" waists so I can see how this stuff is gonna look on me.

These 28" mannequins are no help.

[Kevin Finnerty]

You're a funny man!

[zm1283]

I wish Smitty would have brought these out last year. I would have bought their black jacket with the white stripes instead of the MLB version from Majestic with the blue. I also bought a new lightweight black/white jacket from Honigs this year....crap.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I just ordered my shirt.

I'll let you guys know how it goes when I black out or remove that ridiculous sleeve trim stripe. I'll live with the piping. Smiity: can you make a knock-off in the long-sleeve? No sleeve trim to black out.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I meant Smitty. That was a typo. That's the second time this month!

[kcfan102]

You're slippin' Kevin!

[Kevin Finnerty]

I no ... I mean, know.

[Thunderheads]

My dad bought a majestic thermabase and I plan on buying a smitty thermal and compare them.

Yes Brandon, please do!!! Thanks! I love the Smitty shirts .......

[Thunderheads]

I just ordered my shirt.

I'll let you guys know how it goes when I black out or remove that ridiculous sleeve trim stripe. I'll live with the piping. Smiity: can you make a knock-off in the long-sleeve? No sleeve trim to black out.

Kevin,

I know you have other Smitty shirts, so , when it comes in, please let me know your analysis on this shirt. Hopefully it's the same quality, and fabric as their others. Also want to know if their sizing is the same as the others as well....

[Umpire in Chief]

I've been pleased with Smitty with the exception of the first pair of plate & base pants I bought from them where the clasps on both went out within weeks. I nearly completely wrote them off as a company.

After hearing from many of you about how their quality has improved, last year I ordered new pants from them and have been very plaesed. I also ordered several shirts I like a lot when someone here posted that someone had them on clearance for like $9.00 each.

I also have the standard pullover which is nice.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I've been pleased with Smitty with the exception of the first pair of plate & base pants I bought from them where the clasps on both went out within weeks. I nearly completely wrote them off as a company.

After hearing from many of you about how their quality has improved, last year I ordered new pants from them and have been very plaesed. I also ordered several shirts I like a lot when someone here posted that someone had them on clearance for like $9.00 each.

I also have the standard pullover which is nice.

A little history on Smitty and their slacks in particular:

I got stuck with two pairs of their original charcoal entry (2008-09), when they were putting out Sansabelt-type umpire slacks in the new, soon-to-be standard shade. Like your experience, the clasps were an immediate and glaring problem. And the waistband would bunch up after their very first cold water washing. It would do so in a way that couldn't be ironed out. They were comfortable, and the fabric was attractive, but the construction and other components were simply awful and the waistband issues made for a terrible look..

I was pretty disgusted, because of the failure of the product, but also because the fiasco resulted in my replacing them with two pairs of Honig's Ultimates, which, of course, are not charcoal gray. Did I ever mention that you should NEVER BUY HONIG'S ULTIMATES! I have? Okay, good.

Back to the Smitty slacks experience. I contacted the Smitty company, and they were quite evasive. I had legitimate concerns: I had two pairs of slacks and they were both defective. That's unacceptable. They referred me---pawned me off, really---to the company from which I obtained them, Purchase Officials Supply.

Well, that company readily accepted responsibility for their main supplier's inadequate products. Not only that, the main man, Mike Shields, called me personally to hear my concerns and handle my remedy. This guy was so professional and so accommodating, that I was ready to swallow the whole thing rather than make him get stuck with this useless crap. I first had to hear him fully assure me that Smitty was going to make good on this fiasco with him, or I was going to go back and deal with them. I would not accept that he would get stuck refunding money and losing out because that company was putting out this crap. He assured me that he was going to be fully credited, and what's more, he offered me my $100 credit toward anything in his store. We both laughed at how quickly and easily I could drop a bill at an umpire gear supply store, even on stuff I didn't really need. I wound up ordering some Smitty shirts, which is how I wound up trying those (they are excellent, by the way--especially the long-sleeve black one). Mike even sent me more than I was entitled to. That's what a class operator he is.

So, the result is that Smitty changed the way they were doing things, and resolved those quality issues with their slacks. After making the belt loops wider on their latest edition, they have become the No. 1 cost-effective alternative to the Honig's polywools in appearance.

[Thunderheads]

.... I wound up ordering some Smitty shirts, which is how I wound up trying those (they are excellent, by the way--especially the long-sleeve black one).......

Actually, among others, I had my most in depth and informative conversation regarding Smitty shirts with Kevin. Their sizing, how to care for them (not much to talk about, ...wash cold, tumble low,...boom-perfect!) They're my favorite by far ...and VERY reasonably priced!

[Kevin Finnerty]

I worked a college scrimmage on Saturday. My partners wear Honig's jackets; I wear a Honig's long-sleeve plate shirt. (It's good form to wear Honig's around some guys and these two guys are two of those guys.)

The shirt looks and feels good, but the fabric is unforgiving. When you pull it on or off--especially off--it puts a lot of stress on this shirt. Surely enough, the armpit area tore getting it off---the second such occurrence with a Honig's long-sleeve. It may be the third or fourth wearing of this particular shirt and already it has its first tear. I have worn the same size Smitty long-sleeve---the one that Mike sent me over two years ago---on what must be four dozen men's league and high school plate jobs, maybe five dozen. The very forgiving fabric on the Smitty makes it a breeze to pull on or off, without the straining to get it over the Gold, and without the risk of tearing open any seams. I wear it for every cold weather plate where I do not need to be seen wearing a Honig's. I may go through three or four Honig's (did I mention that the collars unravel?) in the time it takes to wear out this Smitty.

It really is the most durable and easy to care for of them all--certainly all of the ones I've tried.

[hckyosgood30]

" but the fabric is unforgiving. When you pull it on or off--especially off"

This sounds indicative to the older Honigs shirt material (circa 08/09). I wear almost exclusively Honigs and their new material is much the same as the smitty you described and the UA shirts as well. Very forgiving and looks and feels great. It maybe time to call Honigs and see whats available. This is of course if you want to keep a shirt for more than 3 uses? And still look "acceptable" to your college buddies.

[Thunderheads]

" but the fabric is unforgiving. When you pull it on or off--especially off"

This sounds indicative to the older Honigs shirt material (circa 08/09). I wear almost exclusively Honigs and their new material is much the same as the smitty you described and the UA shirts as well. Very forgiving and looks and feels great. It maybe time to call Honigs and see whats available. This is of course if you want to keep a shirt for more than 3 uses? And still look "acceptable" to your college buddies.

I have to agree, one of my partners just picked up a few of the versions for this past season and they're MUCH better than before, ....very similar to the Smitty's fabric

[BretMan]

Well, that company (Purchase Officials Supply) readily accepted responsibility for their main supplier's inadequate products. Not only that, the main man, Mike Shields, called me personally to hear my concerns and handle my remedy. This guy was so professional and so accommodating, that I was ready to swallow the whole thing rather than make him get stuck with this useless crap.

I had a different problem- and was presented with a different, unsatisfying solution- when buying Smitty pants through this company.

Having worn the charcoal grey Smitty's (purchased after the well-documented first-year quality issues) and liking them, I was glad when they began offering them in navy blue (yes, I also work softball). The Purchase Officials website advertised that the navy pants came with the same adjustable waistband as the the grey. The greys fit great, so I ordered the exact same size in navy blue.

When the navy pants arrived, they did NOT have the adjustable waistband. Not only that, but they were cut so small in the waist that I couldn't even button them. I don't know if that was a function of them being cut/sized differently than the greys, or if it was from the lack of the adjustable band.

I called Purchase to express my disatisfaction with regards to the waistband, which was really the selling point that spurred me to buy these pants versus others on the market. The customer rep I spoke with told me that he wanted to contact the supplier (Smitty) to see why their literature did not match their actual product. He assured me that he would get back to me. So far, so good.

He did contact me a couple of days later. His explanation was that Smitty had intended to produce these pants with the adjustable waist, which was why their advertising literature reflected that feature. But it seems that once the pants went into production- and after their advertising had already been distributed- there was a problem with the manufacturer that prevented them from producing these pants with the adjustable waistband. This change was not passed along to the retailers, so they were using the incorrect info supplied to them by Smitty to advertise these pants.

The rep was actually quite thankful to me for pointing this out. They changed the description on their website immediately, probably saving their company even more headaches from unsatisfied customers who might be mislead by their advertising. But I wasn't too thrilled with the solution offered to me to remedy the problem. I could send the pants back, at my own expense, for a refund. Why should I have to pay anything to correct a problem caused by incorrect advertising on their website? I pleaded my case, but they would not bend. Screw that. I wound up donating these size 36" pants that fit like size 34" to a slightly thinner umpire than myself.

They did offer one other even less satisfying solution. The customer rep noticed that I was in Ohio and told me that I could stop in the store during regular business hours for my refund to avoid the shipping fee. It is almost a five hour round trip from Columbus to Akron!

The next year, the local "brick and mortar" umpire supply store in Columbus began carrying the Smitty brand. It is so much nicer to be able to try on umpire gear before buying it!

[Kevin Finnerty]

" but the fabric is unforgiving. When you pull it on or off--especially off"

This sounds indicative to the older Honigs shirt material (circa 08/09). I wear almost exclusively Honigs and their new material is much the same as the smitty you described and the UA shirts as well. Very forgiving and looks and feels great. It maybe time to call Honigs and see whats available. This is of course if you want to keep a shirt for more than 3 uses? And still look "acceptable" to your college buddies.

Okay, I get the touch of sarcasm, but you know exactly what I mean about having to wear Honig's at certain times, right? I'm trying to get picked up. I've even heard post-game pizza and beer talk about why this guy didn't get picked up, or that guy didn't get picked up and it gets mentioned that they weren't wearing Honig's polywools and shirts. So when I'm trying to get looked at or just trying to fit in, I wear a Honig's shirt with the polywools I always wear. I have enough perception problems with my age, which I try to allay by being faster and more agile than the other old guys. I can control the brand of uniform I wear, so I conform when I think its needed to avoid any extra attention.

(And the reason I have that old unforgiving fabric is that I bought the $13.00 2009-10 closeouts. That's almost three-for-one, so I got four and I'll get some good use alternating them.)

And Bret, I guess the difference is that I called Smitty and lodged my complaint, and they called POS and they were very responsive.

[ukce1861]

I've had sizing issues with the Smittys pants as well. I ordered plate pants sz. 38 and they fit well (like others, I don't see what others are talking about with Smittys being tight - if anything mine are baggy). My size 38 base pants are tight around the waist - go figure. That being said, I have no other issues with the pants and plan on adding a couple more pairs to my rotation soon.

[battlinblue]

I just received these shirts from Purchase Officials in a extra large and these shirts are HUGE! They measure 27 inches from seam to seam at the underarm and the sleeves are over 12 inches from the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve. The extra large is comparable to a XX. I'm happy with the quality of them, they're made of the pebble knit and seem to be very sturdy. My only complaint is that they're HUGE and I would of sent them back for a Large if I wouldn't have already washed them.