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Umpire Fashion
Interesting post . . .
Umpires' uniforms have been evolving for quite some time, of course, as has the equipment we use.
The lastest and greatest craze seems to have started when Fox took over national baseball broadcasts and put umpires for the first time in navy "jerseys", abandoning the ELBECO blue, which, by the way, while a little Poindexter looking, was a hell of a lot cooler (and easier to get on over your chest protector) than the navy thing. And remember the ridiculous hats MLB guys had to wear for a couple of seasons with the big@$$ red "A" or "N" on them?
I would estimate, conservatively, that I have spent $2k on uniforms in the last four years. "Uniforms" means everything that's not equipment. I replaced both pairs of shoes this year, bought both navy and black jackets, black and cream shirts, new black and navy winter (wool) and summer (mesh) hats . . . socks, etc., etc., I have navy, tomato, black, cream and powder for high school, legion and every thing else that is not Babe Ruth . . . and navy, powder and tomato for Babe Ruth (patches sewn on). Babe Ruth is the only league I work where a patch is required. I hate velcro and the temporary glue that I sweat off before the bottom of the first. My association recommends but does not require numbers, so all of my shirts and jackets have my number on them.
And of course, the single biggest uniform purchase I have ever made as an umpire was the no-$h!t Feccheimer plate coat, which is apparently now (a) out of fashion and (b) out of color (mine's navy). I don't care. We start high school baseball around here in the third week of February- it's buttcold and I am going to do what I can to be comfortable. Plus, it cost me $250 13 years ago, when I was a baby lawyer and I couldn't afford it.
We are not fashion plates. I have yet to have a MILF come up to me after a game and say "I like the way those gray polyester slacks make your butt look." The clothing should be functional, professional looking and comfortable. Of course, what the MLB guys wear always has a way of filtering down to us, but then again, they don't have to buy their uniforms. I will steadfastly resist the "polo" blue, the longsleeve any shirt (if it's cold enough for long sleeves, it's cold enough for a jacket) and the silver. And have you seen this REDICKEROUS black zip-up jacket they are wearing with the short sleeves? WTF?
Strikes and outs!
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