What to bring and wear to association clinic

[pl8ump1012]

Fellow blues,

As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, I'm getting back into umpiring after a 12-year hiatus. While I'm primarily excited about it, I'm also anxious to make a good impression, both on and off the field.

My association's spring clinic is coming up, and I'm wondering what I should be wearing and bringing to it.

To bring, I know I definitely want a notebook, pen, mask (they're offering cage work). Anything else?

No idea what I should be wearing. Full uni? Jeans and a polo? Association cap?

Any other advice for making a good impression at the clinic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Thunderheads]

24 minutes ago, pl8ump1012 said:

Fellow blues,

As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, I'm getting back into umpiring after a 12-year hiatus. While I'm primarily excited about it, I'm also anxious to make a good impression, both on and off the field.

My association's spring clinic is coming up, and I'm wondering what I should be wearing and bringing to it.

To bring, I know I definitely want a notebook, pen, mask (they're offering cage work). Anything else?

No idea what I should be wearing. Full uni? Jeans and a polo? Association cap?

Any other advice for making a good impression at the clinic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

The clinic should let you know what they expect. If not, ... ask someone.  Typically a clinic or camp has their own t-shirt that you get when you register.  That's your best and easiest way to know.   The camps I've attended have been 'camp shirts' and umpire pants, and base shoes.   If there will be "live pitching" they'll ask us to bring our gear or some of it.  It all depends.   Don't be nervous, ..just be a sponge and take it all in!

Good impressions?  Be on time.  Don't be "that guy" that asks 100 questions about any and every situation (play 'stump the ump' kind of thing).  Don't look like a frumpy umpire. Whatever you're wearing, make sure it's clean and pressed and you look tidy.  Listen, take direction, don't argue with an instructor if they tell you to do something because they'll explain why.  Just listen to them and think about it, and do it.   You'll learn a LOT more that way  

[GreyhoundAggie]

Most of my camps have asked us to show up in base uniform and either bring just your mask, or your plate gear and uniform if you will be working games, etc.

But I concur with Thunder. Ask someone, and otherwise just learn as much as you can. 

[Thatsnotyou]

I’d go with jeans (if you feel comfortable bending and doing plate work in them) or base pants (which look like regular slacks anyway), athletic material quarter zip, base shoes or other athletic shoes. Also wear a hat of some sort so it feels/fits/looks right with the mask on.

If it’s just your association’s clinic with mostly classroom stuff outside the plate work, I wouldn’t wear an umpire shirt to it - I think at that point you’ll stand out as the trying too hard new guy.

[MadMax]

I’m with @Thatsnotyou on the advice on everything except jeans. I’d rather see a guy at an umpire’s meeting in track pants or sweatpants than jeans. Jeans get problematic because of (potential) physical activity, and that jeans come in a variety of… fits… and conditions. I myself advocate for wearing base pants if we’re going to be physically active during the meeting; or, if we’re going to be in predominantly the classroom, and/or I’m leading a breakout session or station (which I’m doing increasingly more), I’ll favor golf slacks. 

You can never go wrong with a polo shirt. 

Alternatively, if it’s a little chilly out (or the bozos haven’t turned up the heat in the field house / auditorium/ gymnasium), a clean t-shirt and a 1/4-zip / 1/2-zip pullover is a good option. 

If you do arrive in full uniform, you best be sure you have all the proper components in place; if you arrive in full uniform, and it is navy that you’re wearing… well, you’ve just demonstrated that you’re part of “the problem”. 

If the class or meeting is going to perform any kind of exercises, actions, or rotations, you should bring a hat and a mask. Anything involving a Plate Umpire needs to be done with a mask on and/or in (left) hand. Soft-toss cage work only requires a hat & mask. Real-speed hardball? I’d advise full gear. 

As a gear expert, I also encourage guys – especially new guys – to bring all their gear so I or one of my colleagues can fit it properly to them.

[Thunderheads]

4 minutes ago, MadMax said:

 

If you do arrive in full uniform, you best be sure you have all the proper components in place; if you arrive in full uniform, and it is navy that you’re wearing… well, you’ve just demonstrated that you’re part of “the problem”. 

 

Not if you're in a 'navy required state', you're not part of ANY problem at all.   Kidding or not @MadMax, try not to perpetuate an issue that isn't there   No one is a "bad umpire" or "part of the problem" because they wear, or REQUIRED to wear Navy.   In certain situations, YES, ... you could be labeled as "that guy" or a "problem" but ....it's not a broad brush stroke by any stretch ......

[MadMax]

39 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

No one is a "bad umpire" or "part of the problem" because they wear, or REQUIRED to wear Navy. 

You misunderstood my point… that you’re required to wear navy isn’t the issue, or the problem; that you show up – in full navy uniform – for a meeting or class, as some kind of virtue signal that you wholeheartedly embrace & endorse stubborn traditionalism, is the issue. 

It’s like attending a simple meeting for Disney employees in full costume, or a veteran’s reunion (reunion, not a honorary event or funeral) in dress blues. Ya just look… well… completely over the top, and if you are in a state that (clings to) requires navy, and a majority of your colleagues have been trying to get the state / association to loosen up and modernize… you can expect to get some odd stares. 

[Thatsnotyou]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

I’m with @Thatsnotyou on the advice on everything except jeans. I’d rather see a guy at an umpire’s meeting in track pants or sweatpants than jeans. Jeans get problematic because of (potential) physical activity, and that jeans come in a variety of… fits… and conditions. I myself advocate for wearing base pants if we’re going to be physically active during the meeting; or, if we’re going to be in predominantly the classroom, and/or I’m leading a breakout session or station (which I’m doing increasingly more), I’ll favor golf slacks. 

You can never go wrong with a polo shirt. 

Alternatively, if it’s a little chilly out (or the bozos haven’t turned up the heat in the field house / auditorium/ gymnasium), a clean t-shirt and a 1/4-zip / 1/2-zip pullover is a good option. 

If you do arrive in full uniform, you best be sure you have all the proper components in place; if you arrive in full uniform, and it is navy that you’re wearing… well, you’ve just demonstrated that you’re part of “the problem”. 

If the class or meeting is going to perform any kind of exercises, actions, or rotations, you should bring a hat and a mask. Anything involving a Plate Umpire needs to be done with a mask on and/or in (left) hand. Soft-toss cage work only requires a hat & mask. Real-speed hardball? I’d advise full gear. 

As a gear expert, I also encourage guys – especially new guys – to bring all their gear so I or one of my colleagues can fit it properly to them.

I hear you on the jeans. Depends how much work you’re going to do. First impression? Nice jeans and the quarter zip will look great compared to sweat pants (just my opinion, but those guys always strike me as sloppy). I can call a few pitches in jeans if that’s all I’ve got. If I’m running around, base pants or track pants or golf pants would work better. 
 

I think the sweet spot is base pants or golf slacks. Look put together but more mobility built in. 
 

I err on the quarter zip because every clinic/meeting in February/March has always been cold. Gym, classroom, auditorium, doesn’t matter. Can always take it off anyway. 

[dumbdumb]

what did joe west say - you never get a second chance to make a first impression. remember that hindsight is always 20/20.

call around and ask, although i have no expert advice. i would let the vets go more out of whatever normal might be and newbies more towards polo and base pants. i would tend to not wear jeans with that first impression. i would let the vets wear jeans if they (vets know that is acceptable), and then at next years go with it if that seems all right.