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

[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.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

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

Another newcomer with a stick in his ***. Welcome!

Your question is debated.....oh, about 1-2x a month...usually whenever a Smitty tries to argue that there's really a Jocko Conlan lurking under all the jeans, workboots, and flannel shirt behind the plate.

Dress better, and they won't snicker about you behind your back so often. Professions/avocations that require a dress code mean that if you don't follow that code, observers decide you aren't very good. After all, if you don't care enough to dress well, then how can you care enough to know the rules or manage a game? You think people take the time to tell themselves, "oh, now this guy...he looks like a slob, but he's the one-in-a-thousand 'slob who really knows his umpiring stuff'?

Do what you want (and you will), but this perception is your choice. Don't try to make anyone feel sorry that they 'profiled' you based on your Dickies or pole-climbing boots.

[BigUmp56]

What have you got against pole-climbing boots? They go well with the Honigs leather ball bags.


Tim.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

What have you got against pole-climbing boots? They go well with the Honigs leather ball bags.


Tim.

Well Tim, I've got to somewhat disagree and go backwards. If you're going to have the leather ball bags you need to do it right and not have pole-climbing shoes... but you need these babies...

Looks best with combo pants though...that's the only downside.

[Mr Ray]

Originally Posted by LMan

Another newcomer with a stick in his ***. Welcome!

Your question is debated.....oh, about 1-2x a month...usually whenever a Smitty tries to argue that there's really a Jocko Conlan lurking under all the jeans, workboots, and flannel shirt behind the plate.

Dress better, and they won't snicker about you behind your back so often. Professions/avocations that require a dress code mean that if you don't follow that code, observers decide you aren't very good. After all, if you don't care enough to dress well, then how can you care enough to know the rules or manage a game? You think people take the time to tell themselves, "oh, now this guy...he looks like a slob, but he's the one-in-a-thousand 'slob who really knows his umpiring stuff'?

Do what you want (and you will), but this perception is your choice. Don't try to make anyone feel sorry that they 'profiled' you based on your Dickies or pole-climbing boots.

IIRC.. Nowhere did I advocate wearing " jeans, workboots, dickies or pole-climbing boots". It's an invention of your sick, rude and disgusting imagination.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

IIRC.. Nowhere did I advocate wearing " jeans, workboots, dickies or pole-climbing boots". It's an invention of your sick, rude and disgusting imagination.

Not to mention elitist........

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by Mr Ray

IIRC.. Nowhere did I advocate wearing " jeans, workboots, dickies or pole-climbing boots". It's an invention of your sick, rude and disgusting imagination.

Ease up chief... His post didn't seem to warrant that response, so don't get your panties in a knot...

[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.

[Mr Ray]

Many years ago I umpired for several years in a teen league. There were two types of umpires. Those with navy blue uniforms, patches and their own gear. The other group ( myself included) wore blue jeans, t-shirts and went to the equipment shed for gear. The former group were few in number and very condescending to us "smittys" . They did not offer to help. They just barked and sneered and talked behind our backs. We "smittys" did the best we could under the circumstances. I quit in disgust. So, naturally I'm sensitive to elitist attitudes.

The uniform I'll be wearing will be exactly the same as the H.S. varsity umps in Virginia, even though I'll be working lower levels. Except for the raft. Hopefully my partners will understand my position on this until I feel comfortable enough to make the switch to the inside protector.
I tried on my new West Vest. I looked in the mirror. I saw many exposed body parts. Those same body parts disappear behind a raft. Its a confidence thing......