Uniform Police

[Thunderheads]

FWIW .........Laz Diaz no longer has facial hair.......

[Dragon29]

I find it absolutely amazing that facial hair is still a topic of conversation.

I thought most people outgrew their fear of beards by the time they were 6 or 7 years old. Are there really people out there that are narrow-minded enough to allow a beard to sway how they feel about someone?

If my neatly trimmed beard & moustache offends a prospective client, screw 'em! I have a day job.

(& BTW almost no-one wears a goatee anymore; about 95% of the people who say they are wearing a goatee are actually sporting what's known as a Van Dyke)

[kylejt]

It been proven in study after study, that men with facial hair are perceived to be not as trustworthy are their clean shaven counterparts. It's been that way since the middle fifties. There are severaly theories why.

Think about it. How many modern poiticians can you think of with facial hair? Not that many. They got the memo long ago.

[MidAmUmp]

You find modern politicians trustworty???

[mstaylor]

Not a good analogy, Kyle. :cheers:

[poppyfor3]

I have no problem with facial hair except on female umpires.

[boyinr]

I have what is known as a "van dyke" and I do not think that this is a big deal. But, I will say I have a issue with someone that is typically clean shaven on M-F showing up to a Sunday game with a 2 day growth. If you have facial hair keep it trimmed, if you do not keep it shaven. Either way if you don't it doesn't look good.

[UmpPhil]

He should be wearing a white t-shirt under the black umpire shirt. At least in SC DYB.

What's wrong with this picture? Also in this guys association numbers are NOT used.

1.) Wrist Watch

2.) Rubber Band

3.) Non-Umpire Belt

4.) It's ticky tack but I would like to see his lineup cards in a sleeve

5.) Wrinkles on the front of his shirt...This can be fixed by pulling the sides back towards you

6.) And hold your mask under your arm, don't dangle it behind you

7.) And numbers on his shirt

One or two ball bags doesn't really make a difference for me. I consider it a personal preference.

[Austex]

I don't think Kylejt was attempting to weigh into the trustworthiness of modern politicians, rather the idea that Perception IS Reality. Regardless of what the reality is it matters only how people perceive it.

PS I go clean shaven since my day job says I can't have a beard.

[stl_ump]

Well if I don't wear my watch, how am I going to manipulate the clock so the game gets done sooner?

And just a couple more "what's wrong with this picture?" photo ops.

[sdix00]

Well if I don't wear my watch, how am I going to manipulate the clock so the game gets done sooner?

And just a couple more "what's wrong with this picture?" photo ops.

FOR. THE. WIN.

[BretMan]

Oh, I see what's wrong there. He's not wearing a hat!

A few years ago, just for fun, I started compiling a list of "Umpire Depictions in the Media". (I've since lost the list, but it would be easy enough to start another one.)

Depictions of umpires pop up fairly often in television, movies and print. And more often than not, these "media blues" bear little resemblence to "real life" umpires- or, at least, what real life umpires should look like. The most common gaffes:

- Hats worn backwards.

- Equipment (chest protectors or shin guards) worn on the outside of the uniform.

- A loud verbal "Strike!" call on swinging strikes.

- Using a "thumb pump" (like a thumbs-up sign, while jerking the hand overhead) to signal outs.

With all the glaring flaws in media depictions of umpires...it's no wonder that the general public hates us!

[ukce1861]

Alright, serious question. You're the umpire above. You only have one pair of pants with you (the ones you're wearing) and they split in the 2nd inning of a game. What do you do?

[noumpere]

Depictions of umpires pop up fairly often in television, movies and print. And more often than not, these "media blues" bear little resemblence to "real life" umpires- or, at least, what real life umpires should look like. The most common gaffes:

- Hats worn backwards.

- Equipment (chest protectors or shin guards) worn on the outside of the uniform.

- A loud verbal "Strike!" call on swinging strikes.

- Using a "thumb pump" (like a thumbs-up sign, while jerking the hand overhead) to signal outs.

With all the glaring flaws in media depictions of umpires...it's no wonder that the general public hates us!

Most of those are at the direction of director involved as I once tried to do it right but was told to do it the way they wanted and they didnt want to hear my reasonings (and no it didnt make the cut so you cant see it on TV).

[sdix00]

Alright, serious question. You're the umpire above. You only have one pair of pants with you (the ones you're wearing) and they split in the 2nd inning of a game. What do you do?

I reject the premise of your question.

Carry a copy of everything. Period.

__

OR - Wear Charcoal underwear. (Or whatever color those Dickies are)

[JaxRolo]

Alright, serious question. You're the umpire above. You only have one pair of pants with you (the ones you're wearing) and they split in the 2nd inning of a game. What do you do?

I don't know what I would do since I have 3-4 pants in my car at all times. Even during the off season. :rolleyes:

[Dragon29]

Alright, serious question. You're the umpire above. You only have one pair of pants with you (the ones you're wearing) and they split in the 2nd inning of a game. What do you do?

Alright, Ill go w/your premise (though I do always have a spare - not 3 or 4 like some guys, but I do have one)

I'd switch w/my partner and do the bases in my street pants. I know it would take time, but I'd rather do that than deal w/the distraction of my shiny white @$$ hanging out all game.

[Dragon29]

Depictions of umpires pop up fairly often in television, movies and print. And more often than not, these "media blues" bear little resemblence to "real life" umpires- or, at least, what real life umpires should look like. The most common gaffes:

- Hats worn backwards.

- Equipment (chest protectors or shin guards) worn on the outside of the uniform.

- A loud verbal "Strike!" call on swinging strikes.

- Using a "thumb pump" (like a thumbs-up sign, while jerking the hand overhead) to signal outs.

With all the glaring flaws in media depictions of umpires...it's no wonder that the general public hates us!

Most of those are at the direction of director involved as I once tried to do it right but was told to do it the way they wanted and they didnt want to hear my reasonings (and no it didnt make the cut so you cant see it on TV).

We did a local TV commercial for the LL I was UIC of a few years ago and one of the scenes was an umpiring calling a kid out @ 1B. So, we shot it a few times the way it would really happen in life and then the director re-staged it so that I was calling the out just past and from the foul side of 1B. Fortunately, he didn't try to have me change my mechanics (other than getting a bit lower to call the out so the framing was right - I'm 6'5") While it felt realy wrong, when it aired it looked OK. You'd really have to be looking carefully to see, in that 1-2 second clip, that I was in the wrong place.

[MidAmUmp]

Alright, serious question. You're the umpire above. You only have one pair of pants with you (the ones you're wearing) and they split in the 2nd inning of a game. What do you do?

Alright, Ill go w/your premise (though I do always have a spare - not 3 or 4 like some guys, but I do have one)

I'd switch w/my partner and do the bases in my street pants. I know it would take time, but I'd rather do that than deal w/the distraction of my shiny white @$ hanging out all game.

I guess maybe you could start with wearing underwear that also doesn't have a hole in them...

Buy plate pants that fit properly. Also gray or black compression pants, that way if the unfortunate does happen it's not as noticeable.

[BretMan]

I'd move my ball bag around so it's hanging directly in the back. :shrug:

[kylejt]

I'd move my ball bag around so it's hanging directly in the back.

Ah, the Tarzan look.

[Chris Hickman]

I remember when I first started umpiring back in 97. I bought pants and shirts from the Goodwill. I has one of those plastic ball bags. I wore a beanie. We can laugh at these guys but think about this; We were all "there" at one point in our umpiring careers. Hell, even some of you are still there. I am convinced that these umpires just need a little guidance and some education. I didn't know a West Vest from a hole in the head 14 years ago. Now I am the GEAR KING!! And my wife hates me for it!! lol

[johnnyg08]

I think there is something to appearance like what Kyle is saying...politicians are all about appearance...I mean ALL about appearance...it's not reality, it's about perception. If facial hair was looked upon as being favorable and trustworthy, we'd see it in Washington. Remember, in many cases, perception is reality. Like it or not.

[Texarkana]

I think appearance is important and people allow things to slide that probably should not. It does not matter if I am calling a ten year old game or a HS game, I try to look and act professional and to use proper mechanics. If I were to see an umpire not following the standards that should be followed, I would try and coach him toward the right way. Clean, pressed pants (newer ones they are selling now are a darker grey, not sure what they call them) Polished shoes, shirt that is wrinkle free, nice "official" black belt. Wearing what you are supposed to wear and in the right places. I know that I would not go on a sight and post a guys picture. I would talk to him and if that did not work talk to our chapter head. I am not so sure facial hair is an issue as long as it is neat. I have not heard that one in awhile. There is a guy that calls in our chapter that wears a beard early in the year and it looks just fine (he also does a great job) I called a playoff series with him this year and he is very good at what he does. What is a big one for me is a guy that is really out of shape. I am not sure how good they can get around a field and the appearance sometimes does not transfer over to the coaches what we are about.

I just have a bit of a problem with people putting pics out there. We have enough people that question what we do that I believe that each other is all that we have on a ball field.

[plateumpire29]

I agree with Chris. When I started in '87, about the only thing I got right was the cap. I had no idea who Honig's was. Took me a couple of years, but eventually I figured it out on my own. Count me in, much to my wife's consternation, as one of the Kings of Gear. We've got guys in our association who think its a badge of honor that they can show up at a field looking as though they're homeless. We've started a system of evaluation which has gotten the attention of some, but not all.