Shorts

[BaltimoreUmpire]

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.In rec ball i get that alot, normally a parent has to do the games from behind the mound because the league has no gear, when i show up in a real umpire shirt and real pants, and wearing hear UNDER my clothing they seem to be oddly impressed, i get alot of "good game blue" from them even if i thought i sucked, i guess my poor games are still good compared to what they normally get

[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

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?I think almost everyone in baseball is getting away from heather. Check with high school umps in your area. Find your state assoc. website. Should have approved uniform details.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I'l find out, or just go one of each if i have to, use whichever isnt the standard in solo games

[BaltimoreUmpire]

PIAA says "light grey" i assume that means heather grey, im not in piaa but they set the standard for pa, also(although this doesnt matter i can wear this for my league) they dont allow black shirts(again i can wear them im not piaa)

[Stan W.]

PIAA says "light grey" i assume that means heather grey, im not in piaa but they set the standard for pa, also(although this doesnt matter i can wear this for my league) they dont allow black shirts(again i can wear them im not piaa)

 PIAA says just "Grey"......but the default is charcoal grey........dont buy heather although its still partially acceptable to some to be worn......Our chapter edict is that if you still presently wear heather that when you replace the pants that they are to be charcoal in color.

 

Of course this is one of my pet peeves..... we have still have guys in the HS chapter that think their heather grey, (faded to purple), Fecheimers that they bought in 1985 are still ok to wear.........

Edited July 25, 2014 by Stan W.
clarity

[StrikeDavis]

Our PIAA HS chapter is supposed to go to charcoal only for the 2015 season.  This was stated last year but I have a feeling some members will complain next year and we will be given the option between heather or charcoal again.  This is one of my pet peeves as well.  Last year I think I worked with one guy who had legit heather grey pants.  Everyone else who claimed to only own heather grey was actually wearing greyish-purple pants originally purchased in 1985.  The charcoal will last longer and I think it looks better.  You should be able to find a decent deal on charcoal grey later in the summer as some suppliers may be looking to dump their baseball inventory for the season.  

[Stan W.]

Our PIAA HS chapter is supposed to go to charcoal only for the 2015 season.  This was stated last year but I have a feeling some members will complain next year and we will be given the option between heather or charcoal again.  This is one of my pet peeves as well.  Last year I think I worked with one guy who had legit heather grey pants.  Everyone else who claimed to only own heather grey was actually wearing greyish-purple pants originally purchased in 1985.  The charcoal will last longer and I think it looks better.  You should be able to find a decent deal on charcoal grey later in the summer as some suppliers may be looking to dump their baseball inventory for the season.  

 

And in PIAA dont expect the navy or light blue shirt to ever be eliminated as the mandatory PIAA patch is blue/gold......

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Well I talked to the guy who assigns all games 13 and over around here and he said "baseball grey" anyone know which that would be?

[Jocko]

Charcoal

[Majordave]

^^^

What he said!

[DVA7130]

@noumpere

Never had anyone complain that we are acting too professional and should smitty it down for them.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Ok thanks guys

[Bkesler24]

It is never ok to wear shorts.

So if it is never ok to wear shorts... Then Why do they sale them? Just Wondering

[Jocko]

@Bkesler24 - slow pitch coed church league softball

[Bkesler24]

I know I was saying that as they wouldn't sale them if they are never worn

[Magic]

I know I was saying that as they wouldn't sale them if they are never worn

Let me rephrase this so you understand. It is never ok to wear shorts, as an umpire, on a baseball field.

I am sorry if my previous post was confusing to you.

[afaber12]

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

 

Unless it gets stupidly hot, I wouldn't have thought you'd have that much of an issue with pants instead of shorts from a comfort perspective. I've done a couple of doubleheaders in about 35^oC (95^oF), with Smitty Combo Pants (in heather grey, but charcoal will be my next purchase) and the Shock Doctor long compression tights. Heat's never been an issue for me with those on, and in fact I tend to be more comfortable with the tights on than not, particularly if its humid. I also find it more comfortable on the plate with tights on so my shin guards aren't rubbing on bare skin, and pinching/rubbing/plucking leg hairs involuntarily.

 

As others have said, if you wear shorts, unless you're especially hirsute you're going to have to put sunscreen on your legs to avoid nasty awkward burns. Depending on the sunscreen and the length of games you may still get burned, but if you're doing games from behind the plate you'll be getting the sunscreen gunk on your shin guards, which is less than ideal. Also if your shin guards are more used than pristine, pants don't show that you're using older gear like shorts do.

 

When you look like an umpire you're that much more likely to be treated like an umpire rather than just the guy who is umpiring. From experience as a player, when we've had a "real" umpire or two umpires instead of one, we've tended to play that much better, take the game that much more seriously, and both sides tend to have better games. If a minor difference in look can avoid an error or three in the game, get pitchers throwing a few more strikes, why wouldn't you want that? And even if its "only" a rec league, for some people that's going to be their big time.

[rjt6]

How about we just end this now? No shorts.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I've already drawn that conclusion  

[Jocko]

@afaber12

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

 

Unless it gets stupidly hot, I wouldn't have thought you'd have that much of an issue with pants instead of shorts from a comfort perspective. I've done a couple of doubleheaders in about 35^oC (95^oF), with Smitty Combo Pants (in heather grey, but charcoal will be my next purchase) and the Shock Doctor long compression tights. Heat's never been an issue for me with those on, and in fact I tend to be more comfortable with the tights on than not, particularly if its humid. I also find it more comfortable on the plate with tights on so my shin guards aren't rubbing on bare skin, and pinching/rubbing/plucking leg hairs involuntarily.

 

As others have said, if you wear shorts, unless you're especially hirsute you're going to have to put sunscreen on your legs to avoid nasty awkward burns. Depending on the sunscreen and the length of games you may still get burned, but if you're doing games from behind the plate you'll be getting the sunscreen gunk on your shin guards, which is less than ideal. Also if your shin guards are more used than pristine, pants don't show that you're using older gear like shorts do.

 

When you look like an umpire you're that much more likely to be treated like an umpire rather than just the guy who is umpiring. From experience as a player, when we've had a "real" umpire or two umpires instead of one, we've tended to play that much better, take the game that much more seriously, and both sides tend to have better games. If a minor difference in look can avoid an error or three in the game, get pitchers throwing a few more strikes, why wouldn't you want that? And even if its "only" a rec league, for some people that's going to be their big time.great post.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Yea, getting 2 pairs of Smitty Charcoal pants, either 1 plate and 1 base or 2 Combos, not sure yet

[Jocko]

Attaboy

[mbkcoach]

@baltimoreump NO TO COMBO PANTS! You need to get plate and base pants the poly wools that need to be dry cleaned after every time you wear them!!! (I'm just kidding lol)

[BigUmpire]

New bumper sticker from @afaber12

 

"When you look like an umpire you're that much more likely to be treated like an umpire"--afaber12

 

This is a noSH*#ter!

[Pete Peterson Sr]