Tattoos

[Brutius]

I found a topic on this subject here from a few years ago, but wanted to ask an updated question. Are any of you umpires successfully umpiring (at the HS or lower levels) with visible tattoos? Do any associations make you cover them up? I don't mind wearing a cover up sleeve, but am just curious about others experiences.

 

Please no "I don't get tattoos" bashing type responses.

 

Thanks!

[Tksjewelry]

I don't have any visible tattoos but a lot of guys in our association do. There is no requirement to cover them up. One guy I worked with did wear a compression sleeve over his, I didn't see it, but he said he didn't feel his tattoo was appropriate for the atmosphere on a kids ball field so he self imposed a cover up policy.

[Brutius]

TKSjewelry my tattoos are all animals that my children picked out, so I don't have any issues with the appropriate nature. I am more worried about the "old school" guys (and gals) I guess. I should have brought this to the attention of my association sooner, but I guess it is what it is at this point.

[maven]

Our HS association has never discussed the topic. Facial hair, yes; tats, no.

 

As with officiating other sports, lower levels look for warm bodies. Moving up, visible tats could hinder you, depending on your assigner or coordinator.

 

Around here, my sense is that having tats would not prevent you from working HS varsity regular season, but might prevent you moving past 1st round games in the tournament.

 

Of course, since (odds are) you don't live around here, that doesn't make much difference. The people to ask are your local honchos, not the internet. Who cares what the internet thinks?

[Tksjewelry]

TKSjewelry my tattoos are all animals that my children picked out, so I don't have any issues with the appropriate nature. I am more worried about the "old school" guys (and gals) I guess. I should have brought this to the attention of my association sooner, but I guess it is what it is at this point.

It's mostly the older guys in ours that have them. Lots of old school military type tattoos. Although there is one or two sleeved guys. If your association ends up taking issue with them, Kat Von whatsherface makes a good sweat proof cover-up. I moderate a wedding site and tattoo cover up is a regular topic of discussion and reviews.

I've never heard any comments from anyone about tattoos. I think as long as your hustling, getting good angles, know the rules, and making the right calls, that's all they really care about.

[Brutius]

Yes Maven, I understand that. I just wanted to get an idea of what other people are seeing even if they aren't in my local area. I have no aspirations to do anything higher than HS, and as a first year official I won't be doing any post season games anytime soon. In this case I do care what the internet thinks since you guys are seasoned officials who have seen these sorts of things before.

[Stan W.]

Over the years we have debated these sort of things (internet and local assoc) and the consensus usually comes out that the only issues that come up is when extreme expressions of "personal individuality" are being discussed... I have not had an experience with a tattoo causing any concern.....now that being said, I'm sure that there would be if those tattoos were of an offensive nature, or placement on the neck or face.........

 

I do think full sleeves would be limiting if higher baseball would be your goal. But to be honest we have more trouble with basic items than any regarding tattoos.....as maven stated, clearly facial hair has been an issue for higher associations for years.......I cut off my mustache years ago when being told that the assoc I wanted to join had a no facial hair policy.....

 

I'd have to put Tattoos way down the "limiting" list behind:

 

Grizzly Adams Beards

Ponytails

Mulletts

unshaved

body odor

bad uniforms

general unhygenic 

Tobacco use

[maven]

Interesting list, Stan. Where do you place these?

 

Fashion impairment

Track marks

Sexual predator convictions

No sense of humor

Morbidly obese

Rules knowledge of a cat

Visible weaponry

Crappy ride

Mommy issues

[Brutius]

Over the years we have debated these sort of things (internet and local assoc) and the consensus usually comes out that the only issues that come up is when extreme expressions of "personal individuality" are being discussed... I have not had an experience with a tattoo causing any concern.....now that being said, I'm sure that there would be if those tattoos were of an offensive nature, or placement on the neck or face.........

 

I do think full sleeves would be limiting if higher baseball would be your goal. But to be honest we have more trouble with basic items than any regarding tattoos.....as maven stated, clearly facial hair has been an issue for higher associations for years.......I cut off my mustache years ago when being told that the assoc I wanted to join had a no facial hair policy.....

 

I'd have to put Tattoos way down the "limiting" list behind:

 

Grizzly Adams Beards

Ponytails

Mulletts

unshaved

body odor

bad uniforms

general unhygenic 

Tobacco use

I couldn't grow a grizzly adams beard if I didnt shave for 3 years. And my mullet days are long gone. I also have never used tobacco and I hate smelling bad. So I guess I am good.

[Stan W.]

Interesting list, Stan. Where do you place these?

 

Fashion impairment

Track marks

Sexual predator convictions

No sense of humor

Morbidly obese

Rules knowledge of a cat

Visible weaponry

Crappy ride

Mommy issues

 

I think we have had most of these ......let me give it a shot...

 

Fashion impairment- bad uniforms/wrong uniforms/shorts/wrinkled/torn/smelly= No games- there are associations who need warm bodies, point them in that direction

Track marks- OUT.....we cut loose the nephew of our biggest dog for rolling up to a game stoned....

Sexual predator convictions- we require background checks- No pass, No go......

No sense of humor- got a few of these, they stay, but they don't seem to advance...

Morbidly obese- if you cant do your 90'  responsibilities, you cant do games up here......

Rules knowledge of a cat- we offer training and clinics, you might get through your probationary year, but not much further....

Visible weaponry- visible is a red flag...we have peace officers and concealed carry members...we advise rules and regs....carrying weapons on school property etc....brandishing?.........OUT

Crappy ride- Cant depend on you getting to your game assignments?. sorry no game.....and those who "need a ride" need not apply as our territory is large...we dont hire "hometown only" umpires....

Mommy issues- Hey...leave my mom out of this!

[Replacematt]

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

[Umpire in Chief]

Tattoos are becoming more generally accepted. I would imagine umpire associations will probably be behind the curve in their acceptance of them. 

 

Do tattoos make you any worse (or better ) of an umpire? No, so lets move on..

Are the images inappropriate? If so require them to be covered. 

[BFP]

I went through this issue a few years back on my Football crew. My umpire over the course of the summer got an entire arm mural on his left arm. He did two tours of Afghanistan in the Marine Corps. All of the graphics have some meaning to him and are symbolic of his time in country. I will admit, I had some question regarding the tats. He brought up the issue and said he would wear a sleeve if I wanted him to. Personally I don't care, but my question was how would he/we, we are a team be perceived when coaches and administrators saw his tats. Keeping in mind in Indiana our postseason depends pretty much on our vote from the coaches. I inquired with some administrators and coaches I know, and got mixed results. 

 

In the end, I told him not to cover them up. He's part of the crew and we took him, so the tats come with him. I don't think it has had any effect on our coaches vote. He's becoming a pretty good official, and in the end, I think that's all anyone is really interested in.

[johnnyg08]

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

 

I've seen Matt's tattoos and they're the best looking thing about him.  

[Replacematt]

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

 

I've seen Matt's tattoos and they're the best looking thing about him.

That's because we still have that pesky "mandatory pants" rule.

[Rulekeep]

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

I've seen Matt's tattoos and they're the best looking thing about him. That's because we still have that pesky "mandatory pants" rule. "DAYYYYUUUUMMM BOY DAT TIBIA DOE."

[Thunderheads]

 

 

 

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

I've seen Matt's tattoos and they're the best looking thing about him. That's because we still have that pesky "mandatory pants" rule. "DAYYYYUUUUMMM BOY DAT TIBIA DOE."

 

English, please.....

[Rulekeep]

I do a mostly collegiate-level schedule with two large visible tattoos. If you are in an association that trains and develops, the issue of the tattoo will go away...it will either not be a issue at all, or they'll guide you to a solution acceptable for the baseball climate in which you work. Where I am, tattoos are common, and the general population is younger, so I've never heard anything derogatory about mine.

I've seen Matt's tattoos and they're the best looking thing about him.That's because we still have that pesky "mandatory pants" rule."DAYYYYUUUUMMM BOY DAT TIBIA DOE."

English, please..... "Danm boy, that tibia though." :no:

[alan2703]

I have ink both arms above the elbow and have never had a issue ,if I was asked to cover them I would ask why as one is in memory of a firefighter we lost in the line of duty of which there about 45 of us in the dept. that have some form of, the other tribute to family and life neither are offensive. What is old saying never judge the book by its cover.

[UmpJeff]

I have a tat on the inside of my right bicep.  About one letter of my daughter's first name is visible with a short-sleeved shirt on.  No one has said anything to me about it.  But, I do have large band aids in my bag should this ever be an issue. 

[Rich Ives]

"Hey boss - some guy named Lincoln wants to be an umpire"

 

"Tell him he needs to shave off that beard first"

[Rulekeep]

I don't see why tattoos are seen as a bad thing in any profession. Seriously. Like, as I'm sure every one of you guys who actually have them can tell anybody, it takes a lot of work to keep them cared for right after you get them-same with piercings. If some dude can take care of a permanent picture that was literally forced into his skin using a needle, I'm pretty sure he can take care of a ball game.

Piercings, self mutilation, tattoos, it doesn't matter to me. I would be much more comfortable calling a game with a totally tatted up guy who passed his rulings test than a guy who was ink-free and didn't. Maybe that's just me being a GenZ but it's the truth.

[Thunderheads]

I don't see why tattoos are seen as a bad thing in any profession. Seriously. Like, as I'm sure every one of you guys who actually have them can tell anybody, it takes a lot of work to keep them cared for right after you get them-same with piercings. If some dude can take care of a permanent picture that was literally forced into his skin using a needle, I'm pretty sure he can take care of a ball game.

Piercings, self mutilation, tattoos, it doesn't matter to me. I would be much more comfortable calling a game with a totally tatted up guy who passed his rulings test than a guy who was ink-free and didn't. Maybe that's just me being a GenZ but it's the truth.

It's not about the capability of a person, it's how they come across to others, ...perception, etc.

 

(And PLEASE, do NOT say anything to me about "slamming" people w/ tattoos, I'm not. I don't feel this way,  but I believe others do.

 

 I'm simply saying that I believe if there's an issue with umpires or anyone else w/ tattoos, the perception issue comes up.   Look at it like this .... much like perception would be viewed if someone showed up with an untucked shirt, dirty shoes, and wrinkled clothes. This would make people think that means he/she is a bad umpire.

 

 However, not as much anymore as 'ink' is more and more accepted.)

 

I could be wrong, but that's my .02

[JaxRolo]

I have a stamp on the top of my hands from the bars I go to before the game. Does that count as a tattoo?

[Rulekeep]

I don't see why tattoos are seen as a bad thing in any profession. Seriously. Like, as I'm sure every one of you guys who actually have them can tell anybody, it takes a lot of work to keep them cared for right after you get them-same with piercings. If some dude can take care of a permanent picture that was literally forced into his skin using a needle, I'm pretty sure he can take care of a ball game.

Piercings, self mutilation, tattoos, it doesn't matter to me. I would be much more comfortable calling a game with a totally tatted up guy who passed his rulings test than a guy who was ink-free and didn't. Maybe that's just me being a GenZ but it's the truth.

It's not about the capability of a person, it's how they come across to others, ...perception, etc.

(And PLEASE, do NOT say anything to me about "slamming" people w/ tattoos, I'm not. I don't feel this way, but I believe others do.

I'm simply saying that I believe if there's an issue with umpires or anyone else w/ tattoos, the perception issue comes up. Look at it like this .... much like perception would be viewed if someone showed up with an untucked shirt, dirty shoes, and wrinkled clothes. This would make people think that means he/she is a bad umpire.

However, not as much anymore as 'ink' is more and more accepted.)

I could be wrong, but that's my .02Well see that's what I mean. Tattoos get a bad rep and it's stupid. If an umpire was showing up on time in a clean uniform, I don't think I'd even really notice. Now that I think of it, the umpires in Juneau that don't have tattoos are the not so great ones. Coaches with tattoos are not in such a predicament. Frankly it's judgmental to ban visible tattoos on anybody. I mean obviously if you have a tattoo of something particularly lewd or gruesome you should cover it up because you're around kids but things like memorials, family members names, tribals, etc aren't harmful.

Just my thoughts.