Combo Pants?

[Jeff C.]

Hey All,

I need to purchase pants. I don't want to look smitty, but I do want to try and save some cash. So, are combo pants considered smitty? I'm just getting started and my uniforms are currently limited. I have a hat, a couple of navy shirts, plate shoes. I just need some advice on the pants. Thanks.

[Umpire in Chief]

IMO, combo pants are not smitty. I wore combo pants for my first few years.

I had to stop wearing combo pants when I switched over to the WV shin guards. The combo pants wouldn't fit over them well. So if you have larger legs and/ or triple knee guards they may not fit well.

Just keep them clean and well pressed and there will be nothing smitty about them.

Great to have you back StockbridgeUmp.

[Stan W.]

Combo pants in and of themselves are not smitty..IMHO.......it just really comes down to looking professional.........Plenty of umpires who are upgrading in appearance opt to go with combo pants due to costs....It is a world of difference between the walmart grey pants that they traditionally have worn......You will find that the upgrade from grey pants to official umpire pants will do wonder for your professional appearance......No one except another umpire will know they are combo pants.....

Like I said it really comes down to looking professional..Its about your body type and your gear clearance needs.....I have seen umpires in plate pants that look like circus clowns with those super sized legs flapping in the breeze.....On the other hand worse than the flapping legs of too large plate pants is the guy who tries to stretch base pants over his shin guards and plate shoes......

Once you become serious it is important to have separate pants for base and plate .....Personally I wear combo pants AS my plate pants....I am short and plate pants legs are far too wide for my legs even with shin guards on. I wear base pants on the bases...

One last thought....With the new color change in NFHS...check with your local association to make sure what color that they will be going with.....Charcoal or the current Heather grey..

I have the charcoal color already that the NFHS is going to, but will also carry my heather as I am sure it will take many of my chapter mates years to get on board......

Edited November 20, 2008 by Stan W.
organization of thoughts......

[Jeff C.]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I kinda thought they weren't smitty. I just wanted some confirmation. By the way, I'm getting registered soon and joining an association. And attending a local clinic in Feb.

[MCLEOD36]

I like the combo pants (darker grey) from Honigs, they are a tad heavier then the ones from Gerry Davis. The only issue is, the Gerry Davis ones dont have side hooks for expansion that can snap, they just have elastic. I usually bring the combo pants, cause in a double header, we sometimes switch. Yes, i get them pressed, every other washing and they hold up great.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

Like was said before, there is nothing wrong with combo pants as long as the aren't too tight over the shin guards.

I personally wear plate pants behind the plate and combos on the bases since base pants seem to fit me a little tighter in the legs than a tight pair of slacks from the 70's:wow:

Bigdog:cool:

[LMSANS]

I wear combos for the plate or if I'm working a dh and will work the plate and the bases with no opportunity to change.