Matching your partners pants shade isn’t easy even at the MLB level

[The Man in Blue]

1 hour ago, 834k3r said:

This appearance thread has my attention. Like @wolfe_man, I have a bit of OCD when it comes to appearance. Don't look the same as your partner? Have a faded black hat? Have faded pants? I think it's a terrible look.

Case in point, my son was playing in a Legion tournament this weekend and the umpires (two-man crew) couldn't match.

• PU:  Nasty faded High School Association hat, Smitty MLB Black shirt (with gray panels), charcoal pants
• BU:  Nasty faded Legion umpire hat, Smitty Flex shirt (double white stripes), heather gray pants.

Their on-field performance matched how they dressed.

I take my appearance seriously (perhaps a hold-over from my days in the military) and I find it frustrating how many of my peers don't care (one partner had the plate on back-to-back games and didn't clean his shoes between games).

 

They said "black shirts" ... what is your problem?  

I'll reiterate another piece that we touched on early in this thread but it may have been lost ... "faded High School Association hat" and "faded Legion umpire hat."  DO NOT WEAR LOGOS that are not part of the organization whose game you are calling.

Yes, we do not like spending money to buy more organization shirts and hats.  It is well worth the investment to have blanks though.

[The Man in Blue]

1 minute ago, Thunderheads said:

2 things, .... 1, I use those hangers and they're "ok" ...   2; I worked w/ a guy who used chip clips on those hangers for his pants and it did work, you just need to place the clips properly  

The problem is the weight imbalance from the waste side to the cuff side.  

I suppose the best answer is proper pants hangers.  🤷‍♂️ Preferably NOCSAE approved ones.

[BLWizzRanger]

I am not sure I am breaking any new ground here but for my Smitty Combo pants, after a wash I hang them by the lower leg pants cuff to let them air dry.  The weight of the water seems to dewrinkle the pants as they dry. Works well for me.

For the ones with OCD, how do you handle the difference in shades on a pair of pants, say behind the belt vice the pants leg?  or the under zipper and pants leg?  Do you get 5 games per pants before you start noticing one is lighter than the other and it drives you crazy?  lol

Those differences were the only way I noticed how bad my pants had faded as I don't really look at my partners pants colors (and hope I don't - lol).

[aaluck]

On 6/9/2023 at 4:42 PM, wolfe_man said:

Now, look closer at the trim on the sleeve and the neck and you'll see they are just a little different. 

Your diagnosis of OCD MIGHT be an understatement!!!  😀

[Marcus6]

On 6/10/2023 at 12:16 AM, The Man in Blue said:

One powder is worn with navy, one powder is worn with black.  Don’t EVER mix them up!
 

NEVER mix navy and black together.  Then you end up with the monstrosity I saw a few weeks ago.  Young kid (16) had a navy shirt that had a black collar and black sleeve piping.  Other than that, it looked like a navy shirt with red and white.  He said he got it on Amazon, but I can’t even find a picture of this thing …

 

Amazed by some of the clowns in my area who wear black based shirts (black, gray, Carolina blue with the black side panels) with blue ball bags and/or caps 

[BDad]

Curious why light blue shirts with black collars have switched from powder blue to Carolina blue the last two years. I have powder blue shirts from 3 years ago, but the ones I bought last year and this year are all showing up Carolina blue (Smitty Body Flex and Gerry Davis at least). Driving me nuts trying to match partners.

[Jimurray]

19 minutes ago, BDad said:

Curious why light blue shirts with black collars have switched from powder blue to Carolina blue the last two years. I have powder blue shirts from 3 years ago, but the ones I bought last year and this year are all showing up Carolina blue (Smitty Body Flex and Gerry Davis at least). Driving me nuts trying to match partners.

China, vendors need to agree on a Pantone color spec and quit using names for colors that vary with the same name.

[The Man in Blue]

Those "powder" blues that say they are Carolina blue are not Carolina blue.  They are slightly more vibrant than powder, but they certainly aren't Carolina blue.  The current blue with black side panels is closest, though I don't think it is truly Carolina blue either.

 

https://gardenandgun.com/articles/college-football-decoded-carolina-blue/

But still, the official shade was left to interpretation. For many years, different variations of so-called Carolina blue appeared around campus—powder blue, baby blue, aqua blue. The athletic uniforms, diploma ribbons, official publications, fans’ attire, and other Carolina memorabilia, didn’t match. The color even started to turn increasingly darker—almost teal-like—possibly due to efforts to make the team uniforms show up better on TV. 

After more than 200 years and countless shades of blue, the university decided to officially define their signature color. In 2010, UNC alumnus and fashion designer Alexander Julian redesigned Carolina’s graduation gowns and in 2015, Nike standardized the school’s athletic uniforms and logos. Julian once claimed that true Carolina blue is the color of the sky on a clear day in Chapel Hill. The university and Nike said it was Pantone 542—now, the official Carolina blue.

 

[noumpere]

9 hours ago, BDad said:

Curious why light blue shirts with black collars have switched from powder blue to Carolina blue the last two years. I have powder blue shirts from 3 years ago, but the ones I bought last year and this year are all showing up Carolina blue (Smitty Body Flex and Gerry Davis at least). Driving me nuts trying to match partners.

Even when I first started wearing the "light" blue 15 (?) years ago, there were various shades (powder and carolina), with various trims designs -- not only color, but the order and number of stripes.

 

It's not a new issue..

 

On the OP -- I wonder if someone's luggage just didn't show up, or if the clubbie in the previous city failed to pack the pants, and someone was wearing the spare pair at the new location.

[MadMax]

14 hours ago, FranklinT said:

Amazed by some of the clowns in my area who wear black based shirts (black, gray, Carolina blue with the black side panels) with blue ball bags and/or caps

Two guesses – 

1. Are you in a “Fed navy” state (such as Ohio)? 
2. Do said clowns do softball, too? 🥎 

19 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

to buy more organization shirts and hats.

If (any) organization is yanking fees / dues off of us (“pay to play”), then why isn’t it providing uniform pieces??? Hats, patches, etc… 

[The Man in Blue]

Honest question(s) ... and maybe the exception to the rules we are trying to preach ...

Why are the MLB guys consistently wearing the pullover instead of shirts?  (Theory: It is actually more comfortable with just a t-shirt under it when it is hotter since it is a baggier fit.)

Even when the plate umpire wears blue, the field crew is wearing the black pullovers.  Is this the exception to matching?

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

Honest question(s) ... and maybe the exception to the rules we are trying to preach ...

Why are the MLB guys consistently wearing the pullover instead of shirts?  (Theory: It is actually more comfortable with just a t-shirt under it when it is hotter since it is a baggier fit.)

Even when the plate umpire wears blue, the field crew is wearing the black pullovers.  Is this the exception to matching?

An old PBUC I have allowed the plate to differ in color and type of shirt from the bases but the bases had to be identical, I think even to all in shirts or all in pullovers

[ArchAngel72]

On 6/10/2023 at 3:05 PM, MadMax said:

Got any grey ones?

 

YES  and I love them.  I just wish Ump Life would make those bags in charcoal grey

 

[concertman1971]

On 6/12/2023 at 12:35 PM, The Man in Blue said:

Their on-field performance matched how they dressed.

@The Man in Blue  I think it is the other way around. "they way they dress matches their on-field performance". One can typically (not ALWAYS) tell by how an umpire is dressed how much attention to the game/rules/mechanics he will be paying. 

I was watching an IG page the other day from a "five tools" type of account that showcases talented players. All i could see was the plate guy in a black shirt with grey panels, and his partner in what appeared to be an old powder blue softball shirt. He was in what must be a new ready stance....HOH Hands on Hips

[Thatsnotyou]

As a HS umpire, I don’t care about trying to match the brand of pants with my partner. There are too many brands and materials. If we both have charcoal, in my book we’re good. We can’t be expected to own every pant type out there. I’m all for appearance, but the pants thing, to me, just isn’t a big deal unless someone is rocking heather.

[Marcus6]

On 6/13/2023 at 9:33 AM, MadMax said:

Two guesses – 

1. Are you in a “Fed navy” state (such as Ohio)? 
2. Do said clowns do softball, too? 🥎 

If (any) organization is yanking fees / dues off of us (“pay to play”), then why isn’t it providing uniform pieces??? Hats, patches, etc… 

1) Yep

2) Yes, most do but not all of them.  Its a mentality thing.  I argue optics matter and if you strolled out for a big game in an Elbeco shirt with a balloon protector, you might get a lot of calls right, but the optics would kill you before you walked onto the field.  I work with a lot of guys who seem to take pride in not buying new stuff.

[Marcus6]

On 6/13/2023 at 10:40 AM, The Man in Blue said:

Honest question(s) ... and maybe the exception to the rules we are trying to preach ...

Why are the MLB guys consistently wearing the pullover instead of shirts?  (Theory: It is actually more comfortable with just a t-shirt under it when it is hotter since it is a baggier fit.)

Even when the plate umpire wears blue, the field crew is wearing the black pullovers.  Is this the exception to matching?

Jimurray is correct as there is an old philopsphy that the plate guy can wear whatever he wants and the base umpires all need to match.  You could take this to an extreme and have the base guys wearing a different color shirt, but thats pretty extreme.  The same logic technically applies when PU is wearing a plate coat.  I recall Joe West wearing a plate coat for evening summer games a long time ago and the base umpires wearing short sleeve shirts.  MLB spring training is exhibition but I believe I have seen instances where the PU and BUs were wearing different shirts (black & polo blue).

I find myself going to the convertible jacket (with the sleeves zipped off) on the bases quite a bit.  I think there are a few reasons MLB guys rock it a lot.  One is just that its something newer/different.  There can be a perception if you are a bigger guy, it looks better on TV than a short sleeve shirt.  Although not related, some guys wear black no matter what because it looks better on TV, is more slimming, and doesn't show sweat.

 

[TheRockawayKid]

On 6/12/2023 at 11:14 AM, Thunderheads said:

....and good luck keeping them on a hanger in the first place!  Very hard to get them situated neatly, and staying there!

Oh yeah! Driving on the highway, not hitting any speed bumps, and all of a sudden they just fall! 

[The Man in Blue]

24 minutes ago, FranklinT said:

I find myself going to the convertible jacket (with the sleeves zipped off) on the bases quite a bit.  I think there are a few reasons MLB guys rock it a lot.  One is just that its something newer/different.  There can be a perception if you are a bigger guy, it looks better on TV than a short sleeve shirt.  Although not related, some guys wear black no matter what because it looks better on TV, is more slimming, and doesn't show sweat.

I love, co-sign, and condone this line of thought.  I appreciate the endorsement.

I also think it can be cooler (temperature-wise) since it is baggier.

Do you only go this route when your partner is wearing black?

 

[Marcus6]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

I love, co-sign, and condone this line of thought.  I appreciate the endorsement.

I also think it can be cooler (temperature-wise) since it is baggier.

Do you only go this route when your partner is wearing black?

 

I find it funny because when these came out (a precursor to the convertible jackets) I thought they were ridiculous.  Then I got one of the navy Honig's convertible jackets (with the white stripe that ran around the stomach area) and loved it.

I do tend to wear the black convertible when my partner is wearing black but I would wear it if I wanted to and they were wearing polo blue.  For some reason the convertible jacket seems cooler, I agree.

Crew working the Standford/Texas Super Regional the other night was wearing the Smitty black jackets with the gray trim (which haven't really taken off) and the plate umpire was wearing the polo blue short sleeve shirt with the black side panels.  Seemed odd but.....

[Thunderheads]

2 minutes ago, FranklinT said:

Crew working the Standford/Texas Super Regional the other night was wearing the Smitty black jackets with the gray trim (which haven't really taken off) and the plate umpire was wearing the polo blue short sleeve shirt with the black side panels.  Seemed odd but.....

Not really, when you think about it ... it's the same on the pro field .... if PU is wearing the sky blue shirt, and BUs are wearing a black pullover, or convertible, ... they're accents/striping/panels won't match either.

[Marcus6]

10 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

Not really, when you think about it ... it's the same on the pro field .... if PU is wearing the sky blue shirt, and BUs are wearing a black pullover, or convertible, ... they're accents/striping/panels won't match either.

I can’t stand the new Smitty style jackets 😂

[Thunderheads]

4 minutes ago, FranklinT said:

I can’t stand the new Smitty style jackets 😂

Oh man, I agree for sure, but I do like the "windbreaker" 3/4 zip convertibles though, and there's a full zip that's a touch heavier that they use as well that's pretty nice.

This one ..... below; this one was never made available to the public, but I've seen this (felt it) first hand when Nic Lentz comes to our pre-season camp every February ...he's always wearing this one

[TheRockawayKid]

18 hours ago, FranklinT said:

 

Crew working the Standford/Texas Super Regional the other night was wearing the Smitty black jackets with the gray trim (which haven't really taken off) and the plate umpire was wearing the polo blue short sleeve shirt with the black side panels.  Seemed odd but.....

As an aside, it's really interesting that NCAA gave some crews different styles than some others for pullovers. Some had the gray panels, some had the white stripes. 

[The Man in Blue]

Leftovers?