Need help with plate pants

[IABlue]

I am having some serious mental anguish. I have a good pair of plate pants, Feccheimer legit plate pants. In my opinion they have the proper look when I am standing straight up. The back of my pant leg is about an inch or so from touching the ground. There are a couple of inches of “slack†or “break†material on the front on my shoe top (Reebok plate shoes). I have low-profile shinguards that show no apparent bulging.

However, when I place my legs in a wide base and get to a comfortable position in my Gerry Davis stance, the pants noticeably ride up and several inches of shinguard are clearly visible. I think it looks like crap.

I was so worried about this last year that I bought a pair of pants a size bigger and had them hemmed 2-3 inches longer. They looked fine when I was in my stance but looked horribly sloppy when standing normally. The material was under my heel, just terrible. So bad that I went back to my old pants.

I am seriously obsessed with this. I have thought about maybe combo pants for the plate. I know people make fun of them, but I have a short, stocky build and it seems like I have almost too much room in the legs and it’s not doing me any good if it’s just going to ride up anyway. Maybe something that will fit closer to my leg is the way to go.

Any help please?

[spiritump]

I am having some serious mental anguish. I have a good pair of plate pants, Feccheimer legit plate pants. In my opinion they have the proper look when I am standing straight up. The back of my pant leg is about an inch or so from touching the ground. There are a couple of inches of “slack†or “break†material on the front on my shoe top (Reebok plate shoes). I have low-profile shinguards that show no apparent bulging.

However, when I place my legs in a wide base and get to a comfortable position in my Gerry Davis stance, the pants noticeably ride up and several inches of shinguard are clearly visible. I think it looks like crap.

I was so worried about this last year that I bought a pair of pants a size bigger and had them hemmed 2-3 inches longer. They looked fine when I was in my stance but looked horribly sloppy when standing normally. The material was under my heel, just terrible. So bad that I went back to my old pants.

I am seriously obsessed with this. I have thought about maybe combo pants for the plate. I know people make fun of them, but I have a short, stocky build and it seems like I have almost too much room in the legs and it’s not doing me any good if it’s just going to ride up anyway. Maybe something that will fit closer to my leg is the way to go.

Any help please?

walk around in you Gerry Davis stance--you will look funny but your pants will look GREAT

[jnazz]

I get my pants hemmed by a local seamstress and she does a great job. I get them hemmed just barely off the ground at the back (when standing) and the hem angles to the front of my shoe. So the hem is about a 1/2 inch or so different from front to back of the leg. I hope this kinda makes sense.

By the way, I'm also short and stocky (5'6") and also had the same problem. I don't recommend sizing up since your pants are just getting bigger.

[sdix00]

I am having some serious mental anguish. I have a good pair of plate pants, Feccheimer legit plate pants. In my opinion they have the proper look when I am standing straight up. The back of my pant leg is about an inch or so from touching the ground. There are a couple of inches of “slack†or “break†material on the front on my shoe top (Reebok plate shoes). I have low-profile shinguards that show no apparent bulging.

However, when I place my legs in a wide base and get to a comfortable position in my Gerry Davis stance, the pants noticeably ride up and several inches of shinguard are clearly visible. I think it looks like crap.

I was so worried about this last year that I bought a pair of pants a size bigger and had them hemmed 2-3 inches longer. They looked fine when I was in my stance but looked horribly sloppy when standing normally. The material was under my heel, just terrible. So bad that I went back to my old pants.

I am seriously obsessed with this. I have thought about maybe combo pants for the plate. I know people make fun of them, but I have a short, stocky build and it seems like I have almost too much room in the legs and it’s not doing me any good if it’s just going to ride up anyway. Maybe something that will fit closer to my leg is the way to go.

Any help please?

walk around in you Gerry Davis stance--you will look funny but your pants will look GREAT

Spirit-

Very funny, but his question is a legitimate one and deserves a serious answer.

IABlue -

Have special charcoal socks made from the Fechheimer material. Also, glue some scrap Fechheimer material to your leg guards and straps. No one will know if your pants are down to your ankles or knees. Wait a minute, I think I just came up with an awesome product idea for Jim. Patent pending.

Another option is to call the game from the mound.

Kidding of course. Welcome to the forums!!

[Aging_Arbiter]

Work more games on the bases. On a serious note, I too have the same question. My only resolve is that they are not staring at the hem on my pants when the pitch is coming in.

[tjthresh]

Same issue here bro. I'm buying different shin guards because of it.

[amarillo]

The problem is not just reserved to short stocky folks. I have the smae problem and I am tall and skinny. I elected to go with the stacked look. A little sloppy when just standing there but everything is covered when in my stance or moving into position.

[amarillo]

The problem is not just reserved to short stocky folks. I have the smae problem and I am tall and skinny. I elected to go with the stacked look. A little sloppy when just standing there but everything is covered when in my stance or moving into position.

[amarillo]

Sorry for the double post

[amarillo]

even at the tailored level they have to stack em a little

[Umpire in Chief]

Here's what I do...

When taking them to the seamstress I wear my shins and plate shoes.

Then when she's measuring I don't stand up straight. and have a bit of flex in my knee & stand in a wide stance. I then have her let them down to just above the floor.

I don't have the problem you mention, they even look good in my stance.

BTW while at the seamstress I also have her sew a permanent crease in the front of my pants looks great and also only costs about $5 more.

[midmoump]

Warren has the best advice. You will feel absolutely ridiculous doing it, but if you want to look sharp, have your plate pants tailored while you are wearing your guards.

Pete

[kylejt]

Your plate pants will always look too long when you're standing upright. So don't lose any more sleep over it.

My pants get hemmed, with my shin guards on, and in my box stance. And yes the hem is angled when you do that .

One more trick. Have them turn up about four inches of material, to add some weight to it. That weight will help pull the pants down naturally, instead of getting caught on your shin guards. Plus it helps in resale down the road, as they'll fit more people.

[IABlue]

And I think we have a solution.

Stopped by the local sporting goods store and tried on a pair of "combo" pants that they had in-stock. Tried on my regular waist size and there seemed to be plenty of room. Just enough extra space in the knee and lower leg that there wasn't any bulge showing with the Diamond shin guards that were sitting on the shelf next to the pants. Not nearly as much "extra" or "baggy" room that does me no good with a short, stocky build. I will try to get these hemmed using a few of the ideas presented in this thread.

Thanks to all.

[kylejt]

Combo pants can work perfectly well for vertically challenged folks, as those pants taper as they lengthen. Take out a lot of that taper, and you may have found the right pants for you.

Everybody's different. Some more than others.

[semperfiguy]

I too have a permanent crease sewed into my pants. Makes them look ultra-sharp, and always pressed. Well worth the short money.

Balls and strikes baby!!!!