It's called a uniform for a reason: a brief rant

[Kevin_K]

12 hours ago, Richvee said:

Around here, they not only getting varsity plates, they are getting some of the better varsity plates. That still doesn’t make them more than a sub varsity lifer. 

Some of them are also getting state tournament assignments while certain other umpires like @Richvee are sitting at home less than a mile from the game site.

*** Hijack alert! ***

The last two years in these parts have been fraught with head shaking assignments that include cadets (yes that says cadets) assigned to three man crews in HS tournament semi-finals, superb umpires blocked out of top tier assignments because a new assigner thought travel time was more of a consideration than matching umpires to game level, and umpires receiving consecutive years in the state finals despite a specific policy that is supposed to prohibit such practices.

I hope, but do not expect, the assignor(s) will begin to figure out how to match their stable of umpires with appropriate levels of ball rather than plugging holes in an attempt to satisfy the expectation of two umpires on every game.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[ArchAngel72]

Well I am stepping away.  Come spring next year I will be posting up a sale thread for about 2/3rds my gear.

 

I used to be a firm believer on matching down to collars.  SO because of that rather than push other guys usually younger kids to have more than navy, lightblue or powder blue and black.  I would carry extras of what I had.

I always in the back seat of my truck or my rolling wardrobe had 4 sets of every color shirt and collar combo I ever bought. 2 in Large 2 in XL. 

I also carried a light weight blue,and black jacket. As well as a heavy weight black and blue jacket

I had white with red white blue stripes 

powder blue with pb collar with red, white and blue striping

powder blue with wide dark blue collar

powder blue with thin blue collar 

light blue black stipe collar

light blue JD black stripe collar

navy blue red white blue collar ( I hated Navy Blue with a passion )

black with white stripes 

( multiples of these between Adams, Smitty , little league cursive (Honigs) and new JD little league (block letter)

I did have a few one offs from district and state games the notable odd ones were one cream which was more like yellow, as well as one light blue one that was just a hair off the "little league light blue" 

But anyway. I always made sure I had enough to make even a 4 man all have the same shirts

 

[JSam21]

I can match any partner as long as they have black or blue panel shirts. 

[Velho]

14 hours ago, Richvee said:

I dont even look at the player’s colors to decide what we should wear. I have worked with guys who do. I’m not sure why.

Not sure how rhetorical that statement is but I’ll take it at face value.
 

Thinking is there are three teams on the field. The less all three of those teams look the same all the better.

[grayhawk]

Here in SoCal, there are essentially 3 shirt colors, all with the panel: Black, Light Blue (pro), and Gray. Yes, some guys will pull out the American Flag shirt, or the pink shirt, or something like that on specific days, but most do not.

During the season, we wear black 99% of the time. In the off-season, you see more of gray and blue, but still not much. I donated every other style shirt I ever owned other than those with the panel. I'll likely be investing in the new MLB style shirts for next season.

Navy shirts simply do not exist. Period.

[The Man in Blue]

OK, I'll admit to being that OCD guy.  Wearing a general color that is vaguely the same color as your partner does not cut it in my book.  This is not difficult.  (Mismatching your hat/bags to the shirt does not cut it in my book, either.)

I just came back from a national (more regional, but whatever) softball tournament where the information was very clear: powder (softball) or navy.  I was one of the few umpires there in proper uniform.  It drove me up a wall that on a "national" championship game, my 3-person crew had 3 different shirts: softball powder, baseball powder, and retired powder (the short lived vertical stripe).  If it doesn't matter, why do we bother?  Why not just go ahead and wear shorts?  I get hot on the field, can I wear a sun visor instead of a hat?  Why not just buy $5 polos from Walmart?

Watching my son work a Prospect League game a few weeks ago and it looked as if his partner was wearing a black t-shirt on the bases while my son was properly uniformed (NCAA black).  Yes, I'm a nerd, so maybe I'm the only one who noticed.  Except I wasn't: as I moved around the park, I heard two other people notice.  Both were with somebody who responded, "Well, it's hot out."  I saw the guy up close at another game and saw that it was some kind of sport pullover with no collar.  Up close, it looked comfortable (I'd like one!).  From the stands, it did not look professional though, and yes, people noticed.  Did it matter?  I don't know, but it was noticed.

I try to contact my partners ahead of time to narrow down what I have to bring, but I run with:

• HS Black (two white stripes)
• NCAA Black (grey side panel)
• MLB Black (current MLB black w/ blue accents) -- only have found two other guys with this
• HS Softball Powder (navy and white stripes)
• Baseball Powder (black and white stripes)
• NCAA Blue (black side panel) -- sorry guys, stop calling this powder, it isn't powder
• MLB Blue (current MLB blue w/ black accents)
• HS Navy (red and white stripes)
• Cream with black stripes (learned to appreciate this one in Mississippi)
• Black MLB style pullover
• MLB style pullover in navy (thanks to a Smitty clearance sale, this "demo" piece is great!)
• Retired Black (single vertical white stripe)
• Retired Powder (single vertical black stripe)

I have never worn those last two, but picked them up for $10 from that Smitty clearance sale.  For that price, I'll have them on hand.

The ONLY thing I am looking to add is the legendary navy with red side panels, but I know I'll have to buy extra partner ones to go with it.  I no longer get my state association embroidered on my shirts, but I'm considering buying a few of these and getting it embroidered to encourage my partner to wear them.

It is interesting that navy is the only thing that doesn't have multiple variations . . . I wonder why that is?  

[Richvee]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Not sure how rhetorical that statement is but I’ll take it at face value.
 

Thinking is there are three teams on the field. The less all three of those teams look the same all the better.

It's OK to be in the "we should have different colors than the players" camp. I just don't see an issue. When a partner says, "Maybe we should wear light blue, the one team has black shirts" I just say "OK that's fine" and we wear blue.   Honestly, this post is the first time I've ever heard fans thinking we're "homers" because our shirts almost match the home team. Maybe it's a perception I just never noticed. 

What happens when you have a light blue team playing a black Jersey team? 

[Velho]

11 minutes ago, Richvee said:

What happens when you have a light blue team playing a black Jersey team? 

 

(too easy to pass up)

 

12 minutes ago, Richvee said:

first time I've ever heard fans thinking we're "homers" because our shirts almost match the home team. Maybe it's a perception I just never noticed. 

I'd never heard that before either. The world is in the "Tyson Zone" to me so I'll say I'm disappointed but not surprised.

[Richvee]

37 minutes ago, Velho said:

 

(too easy to pass up)

 

I'd never heard that before either. The world is in the "Tyson Zone" to me so I'll say I'm disappointed but not surprised.

I'm with @Kevin_K on this  It's time for the rest of us to stand up to the "I only have navy" crowd. 

I only have black. 

[umpstu]

4 hours ago, JSam21 said:

I can match any partner as long as they have black or blue panel shirts. 

I have the gray with black panel shirt in my arsenal now. It does look pretty good out here in the desert.

[834k3r]

1 hour ago, Richvee said:

What happens when you have a light blue team playing a black Jersey team? 

Easy. I pull out the red shirt with stripes or the gray with black panels. 🤓

[MadMax]

On 7/22/2024 at 3:15 PM, Richvee said:

All my summer ball across multiple leagues all have Black and Light Blue with the panels as their "Mandatory" uniform. 

This sort of “directive” irritates me to the point of “civil defiance”. Why? It’s real simple – Are you (the league / tournament / event / etc) providing the uniform? No? Then pound sand, you’ll have to trust that I’ll wear something of my own choosing that satisfies convention. 

My college conferences figured it out; they issue (sell at a discount 🙄) us patches and hats, and have an expected standard of presentation (pant shade & cleanliness, etc). This is not brand-specific, nor color specific. Whatever color or style the crew wants to wear, they can, provided they match (or complement), and conference logos are present. What these conferences expect and demand – wholly justifiably – is that we do not wear logo’d uniforms – including hats – for non-sanctioned games. 
… and yet, I still have either naive (new) colleagues or stubborn jackA$$ partners who wear their sanctioned HS shirts during tournaments, or wear (for example) USSSA hats during a PG or TC event! The naive ones – the ones who don’t know any better – I will gladly give shirts and/or blank caps to. The jackA$$ guys? Yeah, they’re on my sh!tlist. 🤨 

It ain’t hard guys, or all that expensive! You don’t have to buy expensive Smitty shirts! Other manufacturers make shirts aplenty, often at good price points. If you properly fit your CP, you can even get one size of shirt, to use on plates and bases! 

5 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

It is interesting that navy is the only thing that doesn't have multiple variations

Oh, but it does! The vaunted NFHS Rulebook states nothing about style. To that end, I’ve got 3 different navy styles – traditional, single vertical (red) stripe, and navy w/ red panels… for the express purpose of inciting (reactive) arguments. Seriously! I’m that much of a petty a$$hole to do it. Why? Because… again… unless you (the association) are providing the uniform, either FOC or as part of a stipend, then you have no say in what I choose to wear (within representative reason). 

5 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I no longer get my state association embroidered on my shirts, but I'm considering buying a few of these and getting it embroidered to encourage my partner to wear them.

I’m in a position in my life and careers that I’m getting patches made of any/all logos that I need, and then using magnets or Velcro to attach them. Then, you can get all huffy-puffy you want over what color or style I – again – choose to wear. I know how “the game” under the table or behind the scenes works, and I’m done playing it for your benefit any more. I’ll contest you to a draw, but you ain’t gonna win. 

[The Man in Blue]

19 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Oh, but it does! The vaunted NFHS Rulebook states nothing about style. To that end, I’ve got 3 different navy styles – traditional, single vertical (red) stripe, and navy w/ red panels… for the express purpose of inciting (reactive) arguments. Seriously! I’m that much of a petty a$$hole to do it. Why? Because… again… unless you (the association) are providing the uniform, either FOC or as part of a stipend, then you have no say in what I choose to wear (within representative reason). 

I’m in a position in my life and careers that I’m getting patches made of any/all logos that I need, and then using magnets or Velcro to attach them. Then, you can get all huffy-puffy you want over what color or style I – again – choose to wear. I know how “the game” under the table or behind the scenes works, and I’m done playing it for your benefit any more. I’ll contest you to a draw, but you ain’t gonna win. 

 

Technically, yes . . . I suppose I meant common variations like "light" blue 😣(it is powder, and the black side panels ain't that!) and black.  

Could you post (or PM) me the site you got the red side panels from?  I think I had found it once, but haven't been able to find my way back.

I like the patch idea!

[834k3r]

2 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Could you post (or PM) me the site you got the red side panels from?  I think I had found it once, but haven't been able to find my way back.

I like the patch idea!

[The Man in Blue]

Any thoughts on this?  I always wondered why grey side panels happened, but this never did.

(No, not me.)

 

[834k3r]

14 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Any thoughts on this?  I always wondered why grey side panels happened, but this never did.

(No, not me.)

 

I like it frankly--and I recognize that photo from officialsdepot...

[Biscuit]

 

On 7/24/2024 at 6:22 PM, The Man in Blue said:

Any thoughts on this?  I always wondered why grey side panels happened, but this never did.

(No, not me.)

 

I've seen quite a few college softball umpires where it. Honestly, that's probably why baseball umpires don't where it.

[kylehutson]

On 7/23/2024 at 4:01 PM, MadMax said:

then using magnets or Velcro to attach them

patchlatch.com, my friend

[Vegas_Ump]

In 2010, I was in Kutno, Poland supporting the European Regional LL tournament.  One other American was from Midwest region.  He told the story of how is aunt mentored him as an umpire for many years.  Then, sadly, she succumbed to breast cancer.  He then decided to work with a shirt company to make pink umpire shirts as a gesture for breast cancer awareness.  The tribute to his aunt took off like a rocket!  He wore his in a plate game, and he received a lot of positive comments from the fans and teams alike.

In both associations where I officiated, they desired standardized shirts, but they exempted umps with the breast cancer awareness shirts to support the cause.  A lot of umps tried to get shirts for Fall Ball to support breast cancer awareness month.

Yeah, I guess there are exceptions.

Mike

Las Vegas

[The Man in Blue]

1 hour ago, Biscuit said:

 

I've seen quite a few college softball umpires where it. Honestly, that's probably why baseball umpires don't where it.

 

A good thought, but I don't think so.  While the side panel style debuted in USA Softball around 2018, it took years before NCAA Softball dressed it up and moved to it in 2022.  The USA uniform uses powder and navy, while the NCAA uniform is navy and a more vibrant (royal-ish) blue (with a white accent between the colors).

The side panel style made its debut in baseball in . . . 2018 for MLB? 2019 for college?

I don't recall baseball ever offering that black and blue despite the blue and black counterpart to the default.  I like the black and grey, but it just seemed odd to use three colors while not using them in direct contrast.

Somebody more educated than me (or with a better memory) might correct my years.

 

Here is another fun question . . . 

Should we have different styles at the different levels (pro, college, high school, youth) or should it be more consistent across the board?

In baseball, we seem to be able to wear almost whatever we want at various levels, while in softball the NCAA uniform has pretty well stayed there and only there. 

However, the softball "brands" in the youth game have pretty well adopted their own unique styles (USA, USSSA) so that may play a role in the stricter differentiation and less desire to buy more.

[The Man in Blue]

52 minutes ago, Vegas_Ump said:

In 2010, I was in Kutno, Poland supporting the European Regional LL tournament.  One other American was from Midwest region.  He told the story of how is aunt mentored him as an umpire for many years.  Then, sadly, she succumbed to breast cancer.  He then decided to work with a shirt company to make pink umpire shirts as a gesture for breast cancer awareness.  The tribute to his aunt took off like a rocket!  He wore his in a plate game, and he received a lot of positive comments from the fans and teams alike.

In both associations where I officiated, they desired standardized shirts, but they exempted umps with the breast cancer awareness shirts to support the cause.  A lot of umps tried to get shirts for Fall Ball to support breast cancer awareness month.

Yeah, I guess there are exceptions.

Mike

Las Vegas

 

I would say the "pink exception" is pretty standard in most sports and organizations these days.  It is also welcomed by the suppliers so they can sell us more!  

Personally, I don't own any pink because I think it should only be used for special occasions (e.g., specifically designated games, breast cancer awareness month), not because you want to stand out on a random Saturday or as a championship alternative.  You are diminishing the purpose.  I have worn it (borrowed) for select, pre-determined games.

[The Man in Blue]

1 hour ago, kylehutson said:

patchlatch.com, my friend

I like the idea, but . . . a frontal logo should go above the pocket, not on it.  (I'm picky.)

If I only have one logo, I prefer the sleeve.  I suppose it could work there.

Our state patch is rectangular.  Wonder why they only have circular ones?

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

The side panel style made its debut in baseball in . . . 2018 for MLB? 2019 for college?

2016. Hence why you’ve seen me tab it as the “2016 Panel-style”. The actual style was prototyped in 2015, when Majestic made a significant reengineering of their CoolBase fabric. They had purchased a substantial quantity of it, but MLBU’s could not settle on a style change in a responsive manner, so Majestic made them in all-black. They also made a navy & red version to market to (stubborn) amateur organizations. 

You’re right on 2019, but it was showing up as early as 2017-18 in a few small college conferences. In classic NCAA fashion, though, the first (3?) rounds of playoff baseball were conducted with the 2010 VS-style shirt… because there was a backstock of those shirts already emblazoned with the NCAA blue circle 🔵 logo. 

2 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I don't recall baseball ever offering that black and blue despite the blue and black counterpart to the default.  I like the black and grey, but it just seemed odd to use three colors while not using them in direct contrast. 

You’re seeing that now with the 2022 “Fanatics” style, with the contrasting placket at the collar. Black w/ sky blue placket; Sky blue w/ black placket. 

2 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Should we have different styles at the different levels (pro, college, high school, youth) or should it be more consistent across the board?

If the organization foots the bill and provides it, then they can tell us (me) what to wear. If I have to buy my own uniform, without stipend or arrangements, then I will be choosing what to wear, when. 

On 7/23/2024 at 10:34 AM, The Man in Blue said:

If it doesn't matter, why do we bother?  Why not just go ahead and wear shorts?  I get hot on the field, can I wear a sun visor instead of a hat?  Why not just buy $5 polos from Walmart?

In a word, compliance. TPTB take it as symbolic compliance. If you’re not compliant with their (uniform) rules, then which other baseball (or softball) rules are you not compliant with? 

That’s my single greatest gripe against NFHS. They deify us (umpires) and load us with all manners of absolute authority, responsibility – and all the conjoined liability – but yet will not allow us to choose our own attire?? 🤨 God’s not compelled to wear a brand, or color*. 

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Personally, I don't own any pink because I think it should only be used for special occasions (e.g., specifically designated games, breast cancer awareness month), not because you want to stand out on a random Saturday or as a championship alternative.  You are diminishing the purpose. 

I’m with you on this. I was gifted a black w/ pink trim, and a pink w/ black trim from TheOfficialsChoice because I’ll only wear them on Awareness or memorial games. I lost a GF to ovarian cancer when we were in our 20’s. It’s a wretched illness. 

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I like the idea, but . . . a frontal logo should go above the pocket, not on it.  (I'm picky.)

If I only have one logo, I prefer the sleeve.  I suppose it could work there.

Our state patch is rectangular.  Wonder why they only have circular ones?

Without seeing PatchLatch (thanks @kylehutson ), it sounds like it’s for soccer, football, lacrosse, and basketball… which use circular patches instead of rectangular. Who uses rectangular? MLB. Where is it placed? On the pocket. 

So five of my/our summer leagues redesigned their logos, all ascribed to a rectangular shape. 🤔 Guess where they’ve been designated to be attached? 

Yup, pocket. 

Why? 

Looks like Professional baseball. 

 

* - I heard He has an affinity for white, but who knows? He might favor sky blue. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

6 hours ago, Vegas_Ump said:

In 2010, I was in Kutno, Poland supporting the European Regional LL tournament.  One other American was from Midwest region.  He told the story of how is aunt mentored him as an umpire for many years.  Then, sadly, she succumbed to breast cancer.  He then decided to work with a shirt company to make pink umpire shirts as a gesture for breast cancer awareness.  The tribute to his aunt took off like a rocket!  He wore his in a plate game, and he received a lot of positive comments from the fans and teams alike.

In both associations where I officiated, they desired standardized shirts, but they exempted umps with the breast cancer awareness shirts to support the cause.  A lot of umps tried to get shirts for Fall Ball to support breast cancer awareness month.

Yeah, I guess there are exceptions.

Mike

Las Vegas

Small sample because I haven't worn it often but...spectators really like the pink shirt and I have very few problems at games when I wear that shirt.

~Dawg

[umpstu]

5 hours ago, MadMax said:

2016. Hence why you’ve seen me tab it as the “2016 Panel-style”. The actual style was prototyped in 2015, when Majestic made a significant reengineering of their CoolBase fabric. They had purchased a substantial quantity of it, but MLBU’s could not settle on a style change in a responsive manner, so Majestic made them in all-black. They also made a navy & red version to market to (stubborn) amateur organizations. 

You’re right on 2019, but it was showing up as early as 2017-18 in a few small college conferences. In classic NCAA fashion, though, the first (3?) rounds of playoff baseball were conducted with the 2010 VS-style shirt… because there was a backstock of those shirts already emblazoned with the NCAA blue circle 🔵 logo. 

You’re seeing that now with the 2022 “Fanatics” style, with the contrasting placket at the collar. Black w/ sky blue placket; Sky blue w/ black placket. 

If the organization foots the bill and provides it, then they can tell us (me) what to wear. If I have to buy my own uniform, without stipend or arrangements, then I will be choosing what to wear, when. 

In a word, compliance. TPTB take it as symbolic compliance. If you’re not compliant with their (uniform) rules, then which other baseball (or softball) rules are you not compliant with? 

That’s my single greatest gripe against NFHS. They deify us (umpires) and load us with all manners of absolute authority, responsibility – and all the conjoined liability – but yet will not allow us to choose our own attire?? 🤨 God’s not compelled to wear a brand, or color*. 

I’m with you on this. I was gifted a black w/ pink trim, and a pink w/ black trim from TheOfficialsChoice because I’ll only wear them on Awareness or memorial games. I lost a GF to ovarian cancer when we were in our 20’s. It’s a wretched illness. 

Without seeing PatchLatch (thanks @kylehutson ), it sounds like it’s for soccer, football, lacrosse, and basketball… which use circular patches instead of rectangular. Who uses rectangular? MLB. Where is it placed? On the pocket. 

So five of my/our summer leagues redesigned their logos, all ascribed to a rectangular shape. 🤔 Guess where they’ve been designated to be attached? 

Yup, pocket. 

Why? 

Looks like Professional baseball. 

 

* - I heard He has an affinity for white, but who knows? He might favor sky blue. 

Those all black Majestics were nice shirts