I'm getting to buy a pair of pants..which ones?

[etn_ump]

Don't buy combo pants, they look terrible. They look like someone that doesn't have the time or the money to buy PROPER pants for the position they are in.

Don't buy combo pants.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Don't buy combo pants, they look terrible. They look like someone that doesn't have the time or the money to buy PROPER pants for the position they are in.

Don't buy combo pants.

DON'T take the blanket statement by anyone about combos. Look, after years of bicycle racing and triathlons my quads are bigger than the average Joe. Off the rack base pants make me look like John Travolta circa 1977. When I know I'm doing the plate, I've got plate pants. The combos look good on me on the bases, and I can use them on the dish if needed. For ME, the extra length to the plate shoe gets taken up by the shin guards. But that's me. I have no doubt that combos look horrific on others, I've seen it.

Me, I like the Honigs combos, 2" over my Levi 501 size in the waist. Remember, you're tucking in two shirts, thus the extra inches. I also like the +POS plate pants. I've got +POS base pants, for those anal assignors, and they look okay. But again, that's me, and not you or anyone else.

[SAump]

Come longer than "hell" or shorter than "high waters," I certainly hope I don't get judged on the length of my COMBO pants.

[briancurtin]

garth is right: honigs poly-wools are great

however, i only have them for the bases right now. im replacing my honigs regular plate pants with honigs poly-wools very soon.

[bossman72]

I really can't tell when someone has plate, base, or combo pants on. I guess i'm just not looking hard enough.

The only time someone will clearly notice is if they're too tight or you're wearing sears pants.

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by bossman72

I really can't tell when someone has plate, base, or combo pants on. I guess i'm just not looking hard enough.

The only time someone will clearly notice is if they're too tight or you're wearing sears pants.

The pants I was looking to use as base pants are Puritan brand heather gray polyester from Wal-Mart. Is this a big no-no? Sorry, but I'm new at this and need all the advice I can get. I also need to cut costs where I can.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

The pants I was looking to use as base pants are Puritan brand heather gray polyester from Wal-Mart. Is this a big no-no? Sorry, but I'm new at this and need all the advice I can get. I also need to cut costs where I can.

Yes, this is a no-no. Most of those types of dress pants are not made for outdoors, so they're very subject to discoloration or wear and tear MUCH easier than pants designed for umpires. Umpire pants are also constructed so you can run/squat in them, so they are much more durable.

Plus, you can tell who bought their pants from wal-mart and who bought umpire pants cuz they just don't look right. It's also a "dress for success" type thing. I was always told "If you dress like a clown, they'll treat you like a clown." So, i highly suggest buying umpire base pants.

[PeteBooth]

Where do you umpire?

Example: I started out in LL and at that time in my life I didn't know if I would like umpiring or having any type of umpiring career.

The color of the pants at that time was Navy Blue.

I had an old Navy Blue Suit with Bell Bottom pants. Instead of throwing out the suit I used the Navy pants for umpiring. I also had a light blue shirt (it was not Elbeco) in which I sowed the LL patch on.

Therefore I looked somewhat professional and it didn't cost me anything.

In Summary: If you are in any kind of umpire association, there are requirements that one must have in order to be a member.

If you simply "free-lance" and are a volunteer that doesn't get paid or gets paid a nominal FEE then there is no problem in your approach.

Once you join an association then look the part.

Pete Booth

[gotblue?]

Waht if Combo pants fit you very well for working the plate (i.e., with shinguards on)? Wouldn't those look a little better-tailored than plate pants, which have extremely wide legs?

And what if you are going to do a double header at a field/facility where changing out of plate pants into base pants is extremely inconvenient? Wouldn't combo pants help you do your job better by not looking too outrageous (tree trunks) when you end up doing the bases?

Mostly a LL umpire here, let the arrows fly, if necessary.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by gotblue?

Waht if Combo pants fit you very well for working the plate (i.e., with shinguards on)? Wouldn't those look a little better-tailored than plate pants, which have extremely wide legs?

if you have combo pants that are the right length for doing the plate, then they might look alright. however, if your combo pants are the right length for the plate, they are probably too long on the bases.
i have big thighs and i work GD so those two wouldnt work well with any tighter pants than plate pants. the width you get from plate pants is a big benefit, and i dont think it looks bad at all unless they are too long. with the right length, plate pants will come down perfectly at your shoes and they wont ride up too high when you are in your plate stance.

Originally Posted by gotblue?

And what if you are going to do a double header at a field/facility where changing out of plate pants into base pants is extremely inconvenient? Wouldn't combo pants help you do your job better by not looking too outrageous (tree trunks) when you end up doing the bases?

ive never found a site that changing into plate pants is inconvenient. pop the trunk, pull down plate pants, pull up base pants, lets play 2.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Don't buy combo pants, they look terrible. They look like someone that doesn't have the time or the money to buy PROPER pants for the position they are in.

Don't buy combo pants.

As someone once told me, combo pants were made for those who didn't have the money to buy one set of pants for the bases and another for the plate. In other words, for those too cheap to spend money to look professional. Considering how they look on the bases, I think that assessment is correct.

[umpbrianc]

Do you find the color of the honigs poly-wool pants the same as the other heather grey ones they carry? They claim they are darker.

[UMP25]

They tend to be a tad darker, as are the Gerry Davis pants, which I personally like better than the Honig's ones.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by umpbrianc

Do you find the color of the honigs poly-wool pants the same as the other heather grey ones they carry? They claim they are darker.

They are darker like the MLB pants these days. My association requires the darker pant.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

They are darker like the MLB pants these days. My association requires the darker pant.

They look awful with navy shirts, too. Great with black.