Umpire on a budget

[cearle23]

I've been working on borrowed time with some of my gear, I've got a good mask and chest protector, but my lower half is a bit vulnerable with the equipment I currently have. I have some very small (childrens) shinguards that I've been using that leave the inside and outside of my shins exposed, fortunately no injuries to report yet, but as I move up in the level that I am working I know my time is coming.  As a former catcher I have a couple sets of shinguards that I can use until I'm ready to purchase some umpire leg guards.  I would like to purchase some plate or combo pants in the meantime to fit over those guards, currently my regular charcoal gray pants fit over the smaller guards just fine so that is why I have been using them up to this point, but they will not fit over the bulkier catchers gear.  Have any of you used a pair of "regular" shin guards with combo or plate pants?  Main concern is that there be enough room in the knee area for the added bulkiness of the guards....  Smitty pants have either a 24" or 25" so wanted to know if there was any feedback available.

 

I know it's a stubborn argument, but I'd rather continue to take some short hops off the shin than ever consider putting the guards outside my pants!  One day I'll be ready to upgrade it all but until then I need to keep a professional look at the lowest cost possible.... Any advice is appreciated...Thanks in advance.

[Mike Prince]

My first year I used a modified set of catcher's shins with both combo and plate pants.  If you already have base pants, I would take the plunge and get plate pants (vs. combo pants), IMO they project a bit more of the professional appearance you are after.  Combos can have their advantages but I am not a big fan of wearing the same sweaty dirty pants I just wore on the plate when I do bases in back to back games.

 

I've got several pair of Smitty plate pants and they fit fine over every shin guard I've ever worn including the bulky catcher's model.

 

Kudos to you for wanting to keep the shins under the pants!

[semper_fi_72]

I only wear Smitty Combo pants.

Been wearing Pro 9 shins for 4 years under them without a problem.

Unlike Prince, I either don't have the time or facilities to change pants between games, so combo's are my choice and I have never gotten a complaint about appearance.

I also have not had a partner, that I can ever remember wear anything but combo pants when working multiple games.

HS Varsity games etc., when you only work one game is a different story.

[plateumpire]

I use combo pants. They work really well with my shin guards.  I have these shin guards. They work well.

http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Sports-Umpires-Ultralite-17-Inch/dp/B0041GUOP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371142305&sr=8-1&keywords=umpire+shin+guards

[FearNot]

I wear combos for HS games and tourneys. I wear Wilson platinum guards which are the on bulkier side and I have big legs. The work great for me.

[catsbackr]

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's!

 

They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one.

 

Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants.  And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

[BRUMP]

IMO shin guards are the one piece of equipment where you should look for a bargain

[scrounge]

I've never really had a problem at all with combos

[KLAH316]

I wear combos all the time..... no issues with them.

[semper_fi_72]

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's!

 

They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one.

 

Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants.  And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

Really weird they have always worked for me and apparently others.

[BRUMP]

 

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's!

 

They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one.

 

Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants.  And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

Really weird they have always worked for me and apparently others.

 

 

 

 

my .02  combos have their rightful place in the umpire world, granted that place is probably at most no higher that JV, but for those 6 a dayers, they can be a nice time saver

[scrounge]

I don't understand the animus against combos, really....mine fit easily over my shin guards and don't look bunched or tight. How can you even tell they're combos vs. plate pants? And I don't think I look like a sailor on bases, though I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just not as perceptive but I see little difference in them to be honest.

[Mike Prince]

Combo vs. plate/base, like a lot of equipment, is a personal choice.  For me it doesn't work, for others it does.  I applaud the OP for wanting to keep a professional look.

 

Agree that shin guards (as long as they are the right size) are one area where you can go less than pro-level and money.  For me it wasn't that easy and I had to get 20" shin guards, which were not cheap.

[Mike Prince]

 

 

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's!

 

They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one.

 

Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants.  And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

Really weird they have always worked for me and apparently others.

 

 

 

 

my .02  combos have their rightful place in the umpire world, granted that place is probably at most no higher that JV, but for those 6 a dayers, they can be a nice time saver

 

 

No need to turn it into a condescending discussion.  I've umpired with many fine umpires at above JV level who wear combo pants.

 

On the flip side, I've worked with more than one guy who for some reason has worn plate pants on the bases - now that is a disaster!

[BRUMP]

 

 

 

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's!

 

They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one.

 

Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants.  And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

Really weird they have always worked for me and apparently others.

 

 

 

 

my .02  combos have their rightful place in the umpire world, granted that place is probably at most no higher that JV, but for those 6 a dayers, they can be a nice time saver

 

 

No need to turn it into a condescending discussion.  I've umpired with many fine umpires at above JV level who wear combo pants.

 

On the flip side, I've worked with more than one guy who for some reason has worn plate pants on the bases - now that is a disaster!

 

 

didnt mean it in a condescending way....from all that ive heard on the site that just seems to be a general consensus

[cearle23]

I appreciate all the feedback fellas! I'm going to go with some combo's for now, a lot of the games I'm doing are on a time limit, with start times backed up so that there is little to no time in between games, so that does not allow a lot of time for changing so that seems like the best route for the time being.  

[RingEmUp918]

I wear combos every game, and love them.  And like most I typically dont have time to change pants between games.  If your going with the Smittys (they have a 2 inch expandable waist band), go with the smaller size.  I'm typically a 33-34 waist and ordered the 32 in the Smittys and they fit perfect. Best price you will find on them is here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBS375-SMITTY-UMPIRE-PLEATED-COMBO-PANTS-NEW-/330873894512?pt=US_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel&var=&hash=item4d099ef670#ht_235wt_934

 

 

As for shin guards, check your local used sporting goods store or craigslist. 

 

I found a pair of All Star catcher's shin guards at my local  Play it Again Sports for 9.99! and have found no reason to upgrade, they look very similiar to the All Star System 7 shins (minus the additional foam padding and the $129 price tag. And they provide adequate protection. 

[catsbackr]

The primary problem with combo's is when they are worn on the bases.  If you think they look OK on the bases, you are wrong.  They look terrible.

 

Wear what you want to, look the way you want to, give the impression you want to.  Combo's are made for neither the plate or the bases.  They look like crap, but JMHO.

[gnhbua93]

The primary problem with combo's is when they are worn on the bases.  If you think they look OK on the bases, you are wrong.  They look terrible.

 

Wear what you want to, look the way you want to, give the impression you want to.  Combo's are made for neither the plate or the bases.  They look like crap, but JMHO.

Is your opinion and you're entitled to it.  The same way everybody else is entitled to theirs.

[th3]

i proudly wear my combos to the field every game

[VAUmp]

I wear Smitty base pants on the bases and Smitty Combo pants behind the plate.  No issues on either side.

[kylejt]

Everybody is different. Wear what looks good on you. But, some guy's only taste is in their mouth, so always get a second, honest opinion, from someone you trust. ("Do these pants make me look fat?")

 

Combo pants, on me, look like 7 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag. 

[MPLSMatt]

I ordered a pair of Smitty combos last year and they fit so tight over my Diamond Double knees that I look like I'm wearing hockey socks.  They are so tight that when I get into my plate stance for few pitches they ride up my shin guard (leaving like a foot of shin guard exposed) or get so twisted that the inseam is facing forward (literally, the seem is where the pleat is).  After using them twice behind the dish I decided to use them only on the bases and they look great there.  I had assumed the Smitty just made tight combos but after hearing that you guys like them, I'm wondering if they didn't actually send me base pants.  

[law_reb]

For high school games I wear UA polywool plate pants behind the plate and UA polywool base pants on the bases.  I have base and plate Smittys to wear if the weather is bad and I don't want to mess up my "nice" pants.  For USSSA games I wear Gerry Davis combos almost exclusively.  Why?  For high school games I can usually wear my pants for multiple games between cleanings and they look great.  For USSSA games I am calling 3 or 4 games in the same day.  Some behind the plate and some on the bases.  I will be dirty and sweaty by the end of the day.  The Gerry Davis pants are the pant of choice at our complex and they don't seem to wear out.  I have two pairs that have been used for at least 75 games each and they look as good as new out of the washer/dryer.  They are roomy enough to comfortably wear my shinguards under them and on the bases the extra room lets the summer breeze in more freely.            

[JaxRolo]

Please, please, please get rid of the combo's! They market them as good for either plate or base when in truth they are good for neither one. Two game fees will buy you a pair of plate pants and a pair of base pants. And as far as the OP, I would scrimp on the the shins before anything else.

Really weird they have always worked for me and apparently others. Work fine for me!