Shorts

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Ok I wanted to get the opinion of some other umpires on this, I am considering buying the shorts in the link at the end of this post to use in hot 10U rec games where I work alone, honestly I have no clue if these are "ok" or not, I would never dare consider these for games where I work with another umpire or in a league with other "reputable" umpires working in it, but in this rec league normally they don't even get umpires for their games, nobody wants them normally. What is the opinion are these "ok" or not? I have no idea https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Clothing-Apparel/Pants-Shorts/K17-N_Dalco-Navy-Umpire-Shorts?id=236

[mbkcoach]

Will U wear shin guards with them?

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I was planning to, why? Seems wise to wear them

[mbkcoach]

Would u wear sunblock on your legs? If u got sunburned would leave some funny lines and marks!

[grayhawk]

If this happens and doesn't end up on YouTube, I will be sorely disappointed.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

What wearing shorts? or the sunburn?

[T-Rav]

If you want to umpire in shorts go do a slow pitch softball game. Suck it up and wear the proper uniform; you would be better off wearing a balloon and some polywools than looking like a dork umpiring in shorts.

 

If you are really that hot behind the plate than there are plenty of threads here that will give you great ideas to stay cool. 

 

And if you still are too hot for your comfort than I suppose you could always call it from behind the mound and you'll probably be much safer at the 10U rec level.... 

[BaltimoreUmpire]

If you want to umpire in shorts go do a slow pitch softball game. Suck it up and wear the proper uniform; you would be better of wearing a balloon and some polywools than looking like a dork umpiring in shorts.

 

If you are really that hot behind the plate than there are plenty of threads here that will give you great ideas to stay cool. 

 

And if you still are too hot for your comfort than I suppose you could always call it from behind the mound and you'll probably be much safer at the 10U rec level.... 

Thats why i asked, because I didnt know if it was ok or not cant really know this without asking

[Magic]

It is never ok to wear shorts.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

thanks, thats why i asked, I honestly didnt know its my first year in a uniformed association 

[Majordave]

Do NOT dump on this kid because he asks questions. He is smart to ask. He doesn't seem to have found a reliable local umpire mentor yet so he looks to us. If any member of this board busts his balls or takes unnecessary swipes at him ior asking us for our opinions and advice. So help me you will find yourself either warned or banned and start finding all your posts deleted summarily if I catch you.

This is the only warning.

[grayhawk]

What wearing shorts? or the sunburn?

The former, for sure. The latter, if necessary.

[Magic]

Do NOT dump on this kid because he asks questions. He is smart to ask. He doesn't seem to have found a reliable local umpire mentor yet so he looks to us. If any member of this board busts his balls or takes unnecessary swipes at him ior asking us for our opinions and advice. So help me you will find yourself either warned or banned and start finding all your posts deleted summarily if I catch you.

This is the only warning.

That's why I gave him a straight answer.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I think he was preventative moderating

[noumpere]

You will look like "more of an umpire" if you wear long pants.

 

But, depending on the area and what others wear, you might NOT look like "less of an umpire" if you wear shorts.

 

And, I can even see some coaches / fans wondering "who is this umpire who is trying to "big time' us by wearing pants?"

 

The lower the level, the more the "appropriate uniform" is league / area dependent.

[mbkcoach]

im no expert but I have never seen a baseball umpire wear shorts in my 35 years on this planet.  Have seen slow pitch umpires wear shorts cause they dont wear shins. I think these shorts are meant for slow pitch umpires.

[Stan W.]

im no expert but I have never seen a baseball umpire wear shorts in my 35 years on this planet.  Have seen slow pitch umpires wear shorts cause they dont wear shins. I think these shorts are meant for slow pitch umpires.

 

 

oh good, then you never saw me umpire in rural Georgia in the 80's........whew..........

 

the uniform was a T-shirt that said ........wait for it..........Umpire........blue 2 snap polyester coach shorts.........an Elmer Fudd foam snap back cap.....that said.........wait for it.......Umpire...you worked every night....6-8 was baseball and 9-11 was softball..........  (I knows what is smitty, cause I were one)

 

Here is the standard question to ask yourself to determine when its required to wear real umpire pants.........

 

"If the game is played with a white ball with red stitches, you should wear real umpire pants..............".

[Mr Ump]

No to the shorts

[Rulekeep]

im no expert but I have never seen a baseball umpire wear shorts in my 35 years on this planet. Have seen slow pitch umpires wear shorts cause they dont wear shins. I think these shorts are meant for slow pitch umpires.

All but one of the slo-pitch guys in my area wear navy blue shorts, even when it's raining, and they're all mid-adult, overweight men and it's just kind of sad to see it. (See Rainball 2014 photos I uploaded.) I'm not against shorts but shorts don't look fantastic.

[umpstu]

im no expert but I have never seen a baseball umpire wear shorts in my 35 years on this planet. Have seen slow pitch umpires wear shorts cause they dont wear shins. I think these shorts are meant for slow pitch umpires.

All but one of the slo-pitch guys in my area wear navy blue shorts, even when it's raining, and they're all mid-adult, overweight men and it's just kind of sad to see it. (See Rainball 2014 photos I uploaded.) I'm not against shorts but shorts don't look fantastic.

No mention of man boobs? lol Even sadder. lol

[LMSANS]

The blue shorts are the standard for ASA slow pitch.  I bought them when I joined ASA, but never worked a slo-pitch game.

[Jocko]

@BaltimoreUmpire - this is just one umpire's opinion, but my recommendation would be to wear pants. If you want to truly become a legitimate umpire....if you want to truly get good/better.....if you want to grow and advance....the very first step is to look the part. When/if you call softball, by all means wear shorts that match your partners. But, when you call baseball, you need to look like a BASEBALL umpire. If you can't afford actual umpire pants, go to JC Penny's and get some charcoal grey slacks. Go to Academy sports and buy Rawlings shirts and Nike Air Diamond Trainers for your shoes. They also sell plain caps. But, please promise yourself that you will endeavor to invest in real uniforms in the future. Kudos for asking here before taking that step. Please don't hesitate in the future to ask anything you need to know.

@Majordave - good call

[Rulekeep]

im no expert but I have never seen a baseball umpire wear shorts in my 35 years on this planet. Have seen slow pitch umpires wear shorts cause they dont wear shins. I think these shorts are meant for slow pitch umpires.

All but one of the slo-pitch guys in my area wear navy blue shorts, even when it's raining, and they're all mid-adult, overweight men and it's just kind of sad to see it. (See Rainball 2014 photos I uploaded.) I'm not against shorts but shorts don't look fantastic.No mention of man boobs? lol Even sadder. lol Their two-sizes too big shirts hide them. Most of those guys don't even have properly fitting shorts, either. There's one umpire who might as well wear jogging shorts. (His compression shorts are longer than the uniform shorts.)

[grayhawk]

 

And, I can even see some coaches / fans wondering "who is this umpire who is trying to "big time' us by wearing pants?"

 

 

I think it's more likely that they would say, "Look, we have a REAL umpire today!"  As has been said many times, looking professional helps you get through the first 2 or 3 innings - take advantage of that.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

@BaltimoreUmpire - this is just one umpire's opinion, but my recommendation would be to wear pants. If you want to truly become a legitimate umpire....if you want to truly get good/better.....if you want to grow and advance....the very first step is to look the part. When/if you call softball, by all means wear shorts that match your partners. But, when you call baseball, you need to look like a BASEBALL umpire. If you can't afford actual umpire pants, go to JC Penny's and get some charcoal grey slacks. Go to Academy sports and buy Rawlings shirts and Nike Air Diamond Trainers for your shoes. They also sell plain caps. But, please promise yourself that you will endeavor to invest in real uniforms in the future. Kudos for asking here before taking that step. Please don't hesitate in the future to ask anything you need to know.

@Majordave - good call

i will be buying "real uniforms" this winter i already have a light blue and a navy shirt, ill admit i had already bought the shorts but have yet to use them, saw them on umpattire so i thought they would be ok, but afterwards i decided to ask for opinions, thank goodness i never used um, ill probably just use them as normal shorts not umpire shorts, i am ordering umpire pants and more shirts soon. I thought heather grey was the standard color though?