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

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Beanie hats look really stupid. That's the #1 reason for not wearing them. Today's macho umpire wears a 6-stitch base hat along with his mask behind the dish.

Learn how to pull your mask off properly, and you won't need a beanie.

I saw a movie the other day " Eight Men Out". The umps wore rafts and beanies. Also I looked through an old Baltimore Oriole 1969 year book. Guess what the umps were wearing. That's right, rafts and beanies. I like the traditional style alot. Are the umps today more macho than 1919 or 1969? Do I hear wool plate coats anyone? How about a Ballentine Ale?
I'm not trying to be difficult, just offering an alternative point of view.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

I saw a movie the other day " Eight Men Out". The umps wore rafts and beanies. Also I looked through an old Baltimore Oriole 1969 year book. Guess what the umps were wearing. That's right, rafts and beanies. I like the traditional style alot. Are the umps today more macho than 1919 or 1969? Do I hear wool plate coats anyone? How about a Ballentine Ale?
I'm not trying to be difficult, just offering an alternative point of view.

It's not 1969. It's 2007. Feel free to express yourself any way you like when it comes to your equipment and attire. Just don't expect to move up the food chain very far while looking like you just stepped out of a time machine when you show up to work for an association.


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

It's not 1969. It's 2007. Feel free to express yourself any way you like when it comes to your equipment and attire. Just don't expect to move up the food chain very far while looking like you just stepped out of a time machine when you show up to work for an association.


Tim.

Not only is it not 1969, it's not 1919 either. That is when Eight Men Out was set, during the Black Sox Scandal. We don't typically drive cars these days with a surrey and a fringe, or models named A or T.

[piaa_ump]

In my estimation a smitty is not what he is when he starts out.....its what he becomes when he chooses to, or refuses to, improve adapt and change with the accepted norms of not only our association but umpiring in general .....

its a choice........and a label thats darn hard to shed once received.....

[Mr Ray]

Officiating is a part-time "job" for me. If I need another source of income there are other, probably better, options. Let's keep things in perspective. To me officiating is a hobby that requires a certain amount of dedication and has an element of assumed risk, but a hobby nonetheless. In return for that dedication and assumed risk shouldn't I be able to choose the level of safety with which I feel most comfortable and not be subject to elitist epithets? Shouldn't my association have MY health and welfare in mind first and foremost? Isn't that part of the reason I pay dues?

Here is a question for all UIC's ,assignors and veteran elitists:
Does using the inside protector( or a 6 stitch plate hat) make you a better umpire?

[Tim C]

"Does using the inside protector . . . make you a better umpire?"

Evidence would say "yes".

No professional umpires use a raft, no NCAA College World Series umpires use a raft, and NO high school umpires in my local group use a raft.

It appears to me, Ray, that you are a "less than well trained" umpire that wants to make himself believe that his skills, equipment and attitude are acceptable in today's baseball umppiring society.

BTW, 99% of the people that post on this board umpire as a "hobby" -- you are on equal footing there.

Regards,

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by Tim C

"Does using the inside protector . . . make you a better umpire?"

Evidence would say "yes".

No professional umpires use a raft, no NCAA College World Series umpires use a raft, and NO high school umpires in my local group use a raft.

It appears to me, Ray, that you are a "less than well trained" umpire that wants to make himself believe that his skills, equipment and attitude are acceptable in today's baseball umppiring society.

BTW, 99% of the people that post on this board umpire as a "hobby" -- you are on equal footing there.

Regards,

Yes it's true.. I'm a "less than well trained" umpire. But you are wrong on the rest.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

Officiating is a part-time "job" for me. If I need another source of income there are other, probably better, options. Let's keep things in perspective. To me officiating is a hobby that requires a certain amount of dedication and has an element of assumed risk, but a hobby nonetheless. In return for that dedication and assumed risk shouldn't I be able to choose the level of safety with which I feel most comfortable and not be subject to elitist epithets? Shouldn't my association have MY health and welfare in mind first and foremost? Isn't that part of the reason I pay dues?

Here is a question for all UIC's ,assignors and veteran elitists:
Does using the inside protector( or a 6 stitch plate hat) make you a better umpire?

You come onto this board, ask our opinions, get the REAL answers which dont coincide with the answers you wanted, then call all of us "elitists." Fortunate for me, you are not in my association.

[umpduck11]

Elitist ??? Only if "elitist" is defined as one who dresses and works in the
generally accepted manners.
I suppose expecting someone to look the part of an umpire is politically incorrect these days. At least in Mr Ray's eyes.

[umpbrianc]

I must say when I made the decision to umpire it was originally fast pitch softball but felt I may eventually do hardball. I made the over $500 investment in the best equipment I could as I knew it would provide the best protection and also allow me to look professional.
If we think about what we honestly think when we go into a fast food restaurant and see the people behind the counter all sloppily dressed... that is what people think of us when we walk on the field not looking our best.
Umpiring is an investment as well as a reward monitarily. We owe it to the students that we are umpiring to give it our best, they are working hard on the field themselves lets do it too. Lets respect them by respecting how we look and work.

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by umpduck11

Elitist ??? Only if "elitist" is defined as one who dresses and works in the
generally accepted manners.
I suppose expecting someone to look the part of an umpire is politically incorrect these days. At least in Mr Ray's eyes.

Please don't put words in my mouth.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

Officiating is a part-time "job" for me. If I need another source of income there are other, probably better, options. Let's keep things in perspective. To me officiating is a hobby that requires a certain amount of dedication and has an element of assumed risk, but a hobby nonetheless. In return for that dedication and assumed risk shouldn't I be able to choose the level of safety with which I feel most comfortable and not be subject to elitist epithets? Shouldn't my association have MY health and welfare in mind first and foremost? Isn't that part of the reason I pay dues?

Here is a question for all UIC's ,assignors and veteran elitists:
Does using the inside protector( or a 6 stitch plate hat) make you a better umpire?

National League umpires were using an inside protector many years before American league umpires adopted in the late 70's. I have not seen anyone use an outside protector since 1989.

If you want to be taken seriously you will use an inside protector. If you want to minimize risk then I would suggest volleyball to officiate. I honestly don't think you are cut out to be a baseball umpire.

[Tim C]

He could also work Table Tennis.

A version of the inside protector was worn by umpires in the 1930's.

Regards,

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by DG

National League umpires were using an inside protector many years before American league umpires adopted in the late 70's. I have not seen anyone use an outside protector since 1989.

If you want to be taken seriously you will use an inside protector. If you want to minimize risk then I would suggest volleyball to officiate. I honestly don't think you are cut out to be a baseball umpire.

I honestly don't think you are in a position to judge me.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

I saw a movie the other day " Eight Men Out". The umps wore rafts and beanies.

I saw movie the other day too. Jimmie Dugan said the umpire looked like a p*nis with a little cap on. I believe it was a beanie.