[piaa_ump]

This may be stating the obvious, and if so I apologise.....Why bother to have both shades of pants?.... well none unless you wish to call a level that requires that color..... Here in PA, the PIAA requires the Heather grey, and most of the college umpires in my area are now wearing the darker grey.....

Its been a long held axiom in business that if you want a promotion you begin by dressing for the job you want rather than the job you hold. It enables your superiors to better see you in the position you seek. I think that this applies to umpiring as well...... How are you going to dress? Like other Umpires in your current level? Or Umpires who are one level up?

It may seem that emulating the appearance of a higher level can be expensive, and it can. But dressing professionally does not necessarily mean spending a lot of money.

Understanding that fit is an important factor in looking professional, try and remember what you think when you see someone stuff a pair of shin guards under those walmart grey pants......I think a pair of plate and and a pair of base pants are mandatory, but imagine what an upgrade for that guy if he just invested in a pair of umpire combo pants would have been...........

If you want to be taken seriously by serious umpires you have to have the basics and do them well...The basics consist of professional Umpire clothes, a hat, shirt, umpire pants (yes, the right shade),belt and polished shoes. All the pieces are clean and ironed.

Is all this attention to appearance really necessary??? Maybe you know umpires who have advanced singularly on merit with no regard to dress. Im sure that has probably happended, but I bet once they got there they adapted to the customs and dress of that level...In my opinion, we Umpires as a group are the most fashion/appearance concious of all sports officials...

Now, if you are incompetent as an umpire, no amount of looking good will disguise that fact. I understand that looking the part is only one hurdle; your skills, talent, personality, and professional accomplishments are what allow you to stay in the game.

Now if you are only working your local rec league and your walmart pants and teamwork shirt may put you head and shoulders above your shorts and T-shirt wearing colleagues........but if your goals are higher make sure that everyone else knows, in just one glance, that you mean business.

just my .02