[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

A lot of the fashion advice giving by the various associations are needed in order to A) have some uniformity among officials without having to constantly call each other before games, and B) keep some of the less well-dressed from completely looking like slobs.

Which is exactly what ASA had until they succumbed to the pressure of those poor babies working HS and college games whine about having to have two uniforms.

So, instead of just holding to their uniform, they forced every SP umpire who wore the standard uniform to purchase another couple pair of pants if they wanted to umpire outside of their local association.

But it seems every association has 2-3 items that they insist on for sheer fashion snobbery. Fitted vs flex-fit hats is one of those for ASA. It doesn't really matter. The only people it matters to are people who are just wanting to invent reasons to decide one official or another is worse than them... aka fashion snobbery.

Well, the hat difference can be an issue. To start, I have a couple "flex" hats from ASA Merchandise and they do not fit that well. Mine usually come off in short order because the non-adjustable pressure points caused by the elastic give me a helluva headache. I've never had a problem with the fitted hats except the size differences, but i've found that to be an issue with all companies. Instead of returning it, I just sell it to another umpires with a smaller head (which is just about anybody).

However, the issue with any uniform restriction is the common belief of many americans that "they really don't mean that, I'll just do what I would normally do. Those rules don't really apply to me." Anyone who has ever worked/UIC a tournament with a group of "locals" have encountered these types of issues.

I've run into everything from white spots/swooshes on shoes to black stripes across the ASA on the hat to an umpire wearing at least on US flag on every shirt....and this was at a National. I've asked umpires to let me know if they had all the available uniforms and provided a list which included all ASA options with a simple request that they just tell me what they do not have. This was 4-5 weeks in advance (maybe more). Received no responses concerning the uniform.

When no one responded, I stated that we will use both uniforms including Navy over grey. Still zero replies indicating any issues with the uniforms listed. And when I went to discuss uniforms at the tournament clinic, about four umpires raised their hands and said they didn't have grey pants. Asked them if they got my request for information. They did. I asked why the didn't tell me about the lack of greys and just got shrugged shoulders and a blank look. So, I was relegated to the powder over navy, which isn't a problem for me. Meanwhile, I have another umpire wanting to know what he is going to do with the navy blue shirts he purchased expressly for that tournament. I just pointed him in the direction of the guys who did not raise their hand when asked.

I've seen an umpire blow off an assignment on the Championship Game of a Major national with an excuse of "the local Parks and Rec dept" put a game cancellation message on, so I didn't think anyone would play. And this in spite of being told all decisions would be made at the field.

Someimes it isn't a matter of snobbery, but gaining a manageable position over something which can turn into a problem.

Rant off.

Trust me, you couldn't possibly provide more of a rant when it comes to uniforms. What I really don't understand is why the same people who think umpires should be invisible and unnoticed want to have umpires making fashion statements on the field which multiple shirts, pants, jackets, hats, etc.