Getting Dressed at the field

[goody14]

Usually dress at the field out of necessity.

 

My joke is I have spent more time pantless in vehicle backseats in my 30s compared to my teens - a statement both true and sad

[MRG9999]

I get fully dressed at home when on the bases.  When on the plate, I get to the field dressed in the slacks and undershirt and put on the equipment at a secluded part of the parking lot.  Luckly, 75% of my games are within 15-20 min drive time.  I will be traveling more this year, so that may change.    

[JaxRolo]

O I think I still don a pair of heather Grey's every once and awhile

Sidebar

SAD

[Rulekeep]

O I think I still don a pair of heather Grey's every once and awhile

Sidebar

SAD

Sidebar

"You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so."

[MidAmUmp]

@Majordave

Dress in press boxes. That's what I've done. I WILL NOT dress out of my car...I'll find a place somewhere.

[Hawkman]

I always dress at the site which is usually a parking lot. HS ball in Iowa is all doubleheaders and runs mid/late May until mid July which means it's usually hot and humid. I sometimes drive as much as an hour each way to games; I'm not going to drive back home in the soaking wet uniform I just wore while working the plate on a 95 degree day. Nor am I going to wear that soaking wet uniform for the 2nd game of my doubleheader if I had plate the first game. I change before the games, sometimes between, and after games. 

 

I've probably worked at 30 different high schools over the years and a grand total of three have provided me a private, secure place to change. Believe it or not the best of those three is a very small class 1A school in the sticks with a very nice little ball diamond sitting on the edge of a cornfield. Their coach puts us in the teachers lounge of the school that is adjacent to the field. There is a fridge fully stocked with gatorade, water, candy bars, ice cream bars etc. After the game, win or lose, he comes in to thank us for coming out and BS for a few minutes, then dispatches a couple of his players to run to the concession stand and get us whatever we want to eat (they have great sloppy joes). Very much the exception rather than the rule around here. Oh yeah, this little school has absolutely no problem getting umpires.

[Richvee]

Undergarments go on at work or home before I leave. I'll find a spot in the farthest corner of the parking lot and put the uniform on either behind the car or between two open doors of the car. I've got more clothes on with with compression shorts and knee high socks than 90% of the people at a public pool. And if I'm changing a shirt in between of after a game I'm bare chested for less than 15 seconds. Again, you'll see more at the beach. If an AD ever says "we have a changing facility for you" I'll gladly take him up on it. Especially in early spring. 

[bds53]

Most of the guys I've worked with dress in the parking lot.  I dress at home.  If doing the dish, I'll don the equipment there, but show up dressed.  I think it's just my paranoia.  With my luck, I'll be just about ready to slip on my heathers when and elderly lady, first time at the park, walks by, points at me & screams.  There's enough other issues to deal with when it comes to the fans....

That happens to me as well...every time I place my nutty buddy into my jock strap a grandma walks by my car and pretends not to look. If she smiles, I'm not sure if that's good or bad (I've never had the courage to ask). Then the girls tennis team goes by as well. I'm gonna wind up on u-tube one of these days.

Get one of those "official's locker rooms" from Honigs. I'm on my second one and it has saved me from the girls track team, softball team, etc. on numerous occasions.

[Majordave]

@MidAmUmp

Actually I do when they have one. Some don't. I've used bathrooms too. If they aren't too nasty. They usually are.

It's actually a pretty sad state of affairs when you think about it. College and high school Basketball and football officials don't have to dress in parking lots. Sad but true.

[conbo61]

I was working a game that had a field in the middle of a residential neighborhood.  You had to park on the local streets (no lot).  My partner had just come from work and was changing at the back of his SUV and was wearing a t-shirt and pair of basketball shorts.  No sooner did he pull up his jock/cup combo then this elderly lady came to her front door screaming at him how she was "sick and tired of seeing bare-a$$ed baseball players changing in front of her house."

 

We could see her point, but it was still pretty comical as my partner was dressed the same as if he were walking by her house going to the town pool.

 

Later that night at our association meeting, the chapter secretary made an announcement that they had received several complaints from various fields about officials changing in "public."

[Jeff C.]

In the last 6 years I have had exactly one dressing room.  And that's only because it was so cold, the AD/coach felt sorry for us.  Other than that, I dress in the parking lot.  No one has ever offered a place to dress.

[Tksjewelry]

In this day and age, the age of lawsuits, I'm shocked some of you go down to your skivies in parking lots. Being a female with male partners, I find it extremely awkward, inappropriate, and unprofessional to have someone drop trou in front of me, not to mention the kids and bystanders in the parking lots. Now, I'm Never going to say anything to my partners that do this, I simply turn my back as this isn't my problem to deal with. It always amazes me, though, that the same umpires that talk and talk about being and looking like pros on the field are the first to walk around in the skivies in the parking lot. If you know that you are going to have a lot of situations that involve changing between games or after games, maybe it might be smart to invest in one of those changing screens, they are tax deductible. I show up to every game in my Grey slacks and a white t-shirt. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that prudish standpoint but remember, there are a whole lot of helicopter parents that would take a far more more extreme and actionable view of it.

[conbo61]

I have stopped and used a stall at a convenience store on the way to a game.

[JaxRolo]

In this day and age, the age of lawsuits, I'm shocked some of you go down to your skivies in parking lots. Being a female with male partners, I find it extremely awkward, inappropriate, and unprofessional to have someone drop trou in front of me, not to mention the kids and bystanders in the parking lots. Now, I'm Never going to say anything to my partners that do this, I simply turn my back as this isn't my problem to deal with. It always amazes me, though, that the same umpires that talk and talk about being and looking like pros on the field are the first to walk around in the skivies in the parking lot. If you know that you are going to have a lot of situations that involve changing between games or after games, maybe it might be smart to invest in one of those changing screens, they are tax deductible. I show up to every game in my Grey slacks and a white t-shirt. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that prudish standpoint but remember, there are a whole lot of helicopter parents that would take a far more more extreme and actionable view of it.

Well said!!!

[midtnump]

I usually have everything on when I leave my house. Several fields have gutted some old bathrooms and made them into umpire changing rooms. If nothing is available,  I usually try to find a parking space by some trees so I can limit the exposure even if its just a shirt tuck after putting on the cp. I have heard that one school I work at has added a brand new large consession stand to handle multiple field games and that they added a huge 2nd story changing room for umpires and referees, complete with hvac. Looking forward to that one.

[scrounge]

In this day and age, the age of lawsuits, I'm shocked some of you go down to your skivies in parking lots. Being a female with male partners, I find it extremely awkward, inappropriate, and unprofessional to have someone drop trou in front of me, not to mention the kids and bystanders in the parking lots. Now, I'm Never going to say anything to my partners that do this, I simply turn my back as this isn't my problem to deal with. It always amazes me, though, that the same umpires that talk and talk about being and looking like pros on the field are the first to walk around in the skivies in the parking lot. If you know that you are going to have a lot of situations that involve changing between games or after games, maybe it might be smart to invest in one of those changing screens, they are tax deductible. I show up to every game in my Grey slacks and a white t-shirt. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that prudish standpoint but remember, there are a whole lot of helicopter parents that would take a far more more extreme and actionable view of it.

 

I generally agree but still usually have to change at the field. I work in business casual attire and leave work at 4:00 for a 5:00 game. I do try to be as absolutely discreet as possible, though. I'll usually park next to my partner or another car if I get there first, open both front and rear door and stand between them, making a field-expedient closet. A quick look around to make sure no one is about to walk near and quickly change as fast as possible. It seems the best of the few, bad options.

[Tksjewelry]

In this day and age, the age of lawsuits, I'm shocked some of you go down to your skivies in parking lots. Being a female with male partners, I find it extremely awkward, inappropriate, and unprofessional to have someone drop trou in front of me, not to mention the kids and bystanders in the parking lots. Now, I'm Never going to say anything to my partners that do this, I simply turn my back as this isn't my problem to deal with. It always amazes me, though, that the same umpires that talk and talk about being and looking like pros on the field are the first to walk around in the skivies in the parking lot. If you know that you are going to have a lot of situations that involve changing between games or after games, maybe it might be smart to invest in one of those changing screens, they are tax deductible. I show up to every game in my Grey slacks and a white t-shirt. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that prudish standpoint but remember, there are a whole lot of helicopter parents that would take a far more more extreme and actionable view of it.

I generally agree but still usually have to change at the field. I work in business casual attire and leave work at 4:00 for a 5:00 game. I do try to be as absolutely discreet as possible, though. I'll usually park next to my partner or another car if I get there first, open both front and rear door and stand between them, making a field-expedient closet. A quick look around to make sure no one is about to walk near and quickly change as fast as possible. It seems the best of the few, bad options.

I'll rebut that:

Do you change in the parking lot before you enter your regular job? I bet not, because that wouldn't be professional.

Wouldn't it be better, safer, and more professional to bring a small gym bag into work, containing your undergarments and slacks, to your regular job then stop by the bathroom on your way out of the building and change real quick? Wouldn't take up any more or less time but would definitely minimize any possible repercussions.

I'm not trying to come from a place of snark. I worked in high level politics for 20+ years and one of my specialties was risk evaluation/management and PR. I understand that changing in the parking lot may not have been thought about twice twenty or even ten years ago, but today's parents have instant access to twenty forms of communication that could instantaneously make your life a living (and possibly legal) hell, why would you think about putting yourself or your partner into that situation?

I'm hoping that all of you who chose to take the risk of changing outside of an officials locker room at the venues have some sort of officials legal insurance. I know many of you don't like the USSSA, but they do have a good, reasonably priced, legal policy available.

[scrounge]

 

 

In this day and age, the age of lawsuits, I'm shocked some of you go down to your skivies in parking lots. Being a female with male partners, I find it extremely awkward, inappropriate, and unprofessional to have someone drop trou in front of me, not to mention the kids and bystanders in the parking lots. Now, I'm Never going to say anything to my partners that do this, I simply turn my back as this isn't my problem to deal with. It always amazes me, though, that the same umpires that talk and talk about being and looking like pros on the field are the first to walk around in the skivies in the parking lot. If you know that you are going to have a lot of situations that involve changing between games or after games, maybe it might be smart to invest in one of those changing screens, they are tax deductible. I show up to every game in my Grey slacks and a white t-shirt. I'm sure I'll get flamed for that prudish standpoint but remember, there are a whole lot of helicopter parents that would take a far more more extreme and actionable view of it.

I generally agree but still usually have to change at the field. I work in business casual attire and leave work at 4:00 for a 5:00 game. I do try to be as absolutely discreet as possible, though. I'll usually park next to my partner or another car if I get there first, open both front and rear door and stand between them, making a field-expedient closet. A quick look around to make sure no one is about to walk near and quickly change as fast as possible. It seems the best of the few, bad options.

 

I'll rebut that:

Do you change in the parking lot before you enter your regular job? I bet not, because that wouldn't be professional.

Wouldn't it be better, safer, and more professional to bring a small gym bag into work, containing your undergarments and slacks, to your regular job then stop by the bathroom on your way out of the building and change real quick? Wouldn't take up any more or less time but would definitely minimize any possible repercussions.

I'm not trying to come from a place of snark. I worked in high level politics for 20+ years and one of my specialties was risk evaluation/management and PR. I understand that changing in the parking lot may not have been thought about twice twenty or even ten years ago, but today's parents have instant access to twenty forms of communication that could instantaneously make your life a living (and possibly legal) hell, why would you think about putting yourself or your partner into that situation?

I'm hoping that all of you who chose to take the risk of changing outside of an officials locker room at the venues have some sort of officials legal insurance. I know many of you don't like the USSSA, but they do have a good, reasonably priced, legal policy available.

 

 

Hmm, can't really say it would be any more difficult...certainly warmer for those early season games as well. I think I'll try that for the upcoming year.

[Rulekeep]

It's really weird how the person who could cause the most trouble by being changed in front of really has no issue with it.

As long as the guys I work with aren't making a big deal out of it, why should I? I don't gawk. They don't parade around half-dressed. Most of them dress in the woods behind the field or in the nearby high school if it's a weekday. Nudity isn't inherently sexual, especially not 5 seconds of bare-chestedness between shirts. Most people just need to calm down over it. I am of the opinion that if someone thinks they have to make a big deal about it, then they should push to have proper locker rooms installed in the parks. If you aren't trying to improve the situation, than you shouldn't be ranting and raving about it in parking lots whenever you see the umpires changing.

[MikeSafari]

As much as I'd love to use a locker room, they simply don't exist here for umpires outside of the very highest level of ball. Most of the parks my association uses are about as basic as they come--certainly nothing approaching being called a stadium. So I do my undergarments and possibly slacks at home, but the rest is done in the parking lot.

 

That being said, I did work a game at the Skydome (now the Rogers Centre... blech) years ago and those were some hella nice changerooms for the umps. Damn.

[grayhawk]

I change as quickly and inconspicuously as possible, but I do strip down to my boxer briefs (with a shirt on) for a few seconds. If that offends someone, then I suggest they go on a crusade to rid the streets of cyclists in their tight cycling shorts. Those are way more revealing.

Would I prefer having a locker room? Sure, but that's unlikely to change anytime soon.

[DVA7130]

I arrive to the field in slacks and undershirt.

 

Only twice have I had a changing room, oddly enough both have been big USSSA tournaments. Boy is it nice to role up the gear and a cooler and strip between games.

[Recontra]

After one of the high schools we service reported that they had received complaints about indecent umpires in the parking lot, I went and purchased an Official's Locker Room before my first game there.  Sorry, but the thing was totally "gay" (in a South Park sense).  It was flimsy, any bit of breeze blew it everywhere, and after later spending 14 hours with my wife at home trying to figure out how to fold it back up, I took it back for a full refund. If you like it, great, it just didn't work for me.  I'm often arriving in the parking lot in a suit and tie, and get dressed in the back of my vehicle--at least until I've got my undergarmets, leggings, and undershirt on.  However, what others have stated above about risk management and how times have changed is very pertinent.  I also wouldn't want to give the appearance of disrespect if I had a female partner, regardless of whether she were uncomfortable or not. The risk that we face is substantial, and it gets worse every year.

 

Don't be that guy.  Don't be the guy who is eventually shown on the 11 o'clock news after being video taped by some mother (however briefly) looking allegedly indecent in a school parking lot as some teenage female athletes walk by.  Don't be the guy who is eventually charged with indecent exposure who has to defend himself in court by claiming that while he might have been briefly exposed, he didn't do it to incite lustful thoughts in the teenage high school girls who were walking by, so he's technically not guilty of indecent exposure. Don't be that guy. There is eventually going to be that guy.  But it ain't gonna be me, and I pray he doesn't have my association's hat on when he's eventually video taped.  Then I'd have to admit that I know that guy.

 

I get what you're saying above, Rulekeep, and I know your sentiments are shared by many.  But I respectfully think you're wrong on this issue (or perhaps just naive--and I apologize for using that word).  I wholeheartedly agree nudity is not inherently sexual. Unfortunately, guys like us won't be the ones deciding whether or not an umpire's alleged nudity was sexual. That's a fact question for the jury to decide. Last time I saw a jury, there were lots of moms and dads with teenage daughters on it. If you still doubt, let me pose this question:  If you heard that your daughter's high school teacher was caught allegedly disrobing and allegedly videotaped nude in her high school parking lot when there were allegedly some teenage girls walking by, would you be surprised to learn that he was immediately fired?  Are we really any different? Just sayin'.

[Rulekeep]

Eh, maybe. Alaska's a special place. But I get what you're saying. Besides, I don't have a teenage daughter and never will so I couldn't make that call with complete certainty. But again, I get what you're saying.

[CricketChapman]

Other than my undershirt, I dress on-site (and that means in the parking lot 95% of the time).  I'd say 75% of the umpires in my association do the same, while the other 25% arrive already wearing the appropriate pants.