Darker color pants...

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Garth, as nice as the Honigs ones are, I find them a tad more troublesome to upkeep. Most of my peers find they have to iron them once a week.

I have three pairs of plate and three pairs of base pants. I have them dry cleaned in rotation. I've never had to iron them.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

Then there are the umpires who umpire not only because they enjoy it, but to help pay the bills and would rather not buy the "extra" if they don't have to.

Let me name the umpires I have known that didn't do it for the need of money. Let me think now, hold on, remembering, oh, two. Yes, I remember two.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Let me name the umpires I have known that didn't do it for the need of money. Let me think now, hold on, remembering, oh, two. Yes, I remember two.

Better make it 3. I don't do it for the need of money. I take the money as my time's worth something, but I could pack umpiring in tomorrow and not miss the money.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Let me name the umpires I have known that didn't do it for the need of money. Let me think now, hold on, remembering, oh, two. Yes, I remember two.

Your simple mind seems to be misfiring. There's no way I'd umpire if I didn't love the game and being on the field. The money is secondary, but happens to come in useful. I would rather work overtime at my first job than take on a 2nd that I didn't enjoy. Baseball is an escape for me; from work, home, and most outside stress. The fact that I get paid for it is a bonus.

Working with a "collect the check" umpire is usually a long day.

[jkumpire]

For those of you who have both pant types, how big a difference is there?

I only wear +POS and Fetchimer, is Honig's pant really that much darker you notice it?

I guess I can buy new stuff, the idea is to be professional, but frankly I'd rather keep with the same stuff. I haven't even bought the newer color shirts recently, mopst of the time my partners only have navy or light blue, so why spend $$$ for shirts you wear once a year if then?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

For those of you who have both pant types, how big a difference is there?

I only wear +POS and Fetchimer, is Honig's pant really that much darker you notice it?

I guess I can buy new stuff, the idea is to be professional, but frankly I'd rather keep with the same stuff. I haven't even bought the newer color shirts recently, mopst of the time my partners only have navy or light blue, so why spend $$$ for shirts you wear once a year if then?

Yes, you can notice the difference when on the field with two umpires who are wearing different colors. For most games, though, no one cares.

Here, the IHSA requires the heather gray, not the darker gray. One college association requires (I think) the darker gray. I agree that they go better with the polo blue and black.

That said, what the "standard" is in OR, or FL, or IL or NY shouldn't matter to the OP -- only the standard in his/her area.

[jkumpire]

Bob, I agree with you about "standard", but when I work college ball I work with people from all over, and everyone has different uniform requirements. And then you look at FED, where FED and/or every state association wants total uniformity in uniforms, and now you have a budding mess.

I mean it wasn't too many years ago the WV state association mandated that all umpire pants shall not be pleated.

[Tim C]

The NFHS Umpire Manual (the book that Rich throws away without reading every other year when it is distributed) requires NON-pleated pants. The same manual also says that Elbecos are still an option for shirt selection.

In Oregon we work "Oregon Modified Mechanics" (i.e. straight CCA) and we allow ANY mixture of pant and shirt colors (oops, RED is not allowed at any FED game). We have a HUGE problem with different colored pants (even at the State Championship finals).

I also remember at one time Alabama require high school umpires were required to have a "Feccheimer" label on all their baseball umpire game pants.

Regards,

[jkumpire]

I missed that in the FED manual too, since I read that only when I have nothing else to do However, I note that the WV state association called the FED to get a ruling, so they didn't read the manual either!!!

I'm not moving to Oregon any time soon, but I might consider it after reading your post.

[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

[kraine27]

In Kansas, our Fed requires us to wear the heather gray slacks during fed games. In addition, I work several different levels of college bal from Juco to D-I and everyone that I know wears the darker gray slacks.

I have worn both the Honigs and Gerry Davis dark gray slacks and find that they are extremely difficult to tell apart from the field. I believe that it comes down to what you are looking for. If you want a more expensive pant that (IMO) hangs a little better due to the weight, go with the Honigs. If you want a more economical pant that still has a great appearance, go with the GD.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Better make it 3. I don't do it for the need of money. I take the money as my time's worth something, but I could pack umpiring in tomorrow and not miss the money.

One difference. I never take the pay in the first place. That is how I define "umpires who don't work for the money". My times worth giving not something. No begrudgment to anyone who takes pay but if you take it, you spent it which, in order to buy, you needed it.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Rynxprs

So are most people (umps and manufacturers) switching to the darker colored pants that Gerry Davis sells, opposed to the Heather grey?

They seem to look nicer.

Don't buy rack pants. Have them custom made, no more expense, perfect fit, add extra pockets, quality zippers, etc.

[Tim C]

fitump56 ties for the dumbest person posting on the internet.

Regards,

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by Tim C

fitump56 ties for the dumbest person posting on the internet.

Regards,

Because I was dumb enough to figure out where Davis, Honig and all the rest buy their pants, get the design templates and have them custom made for less? My stupidity astounds me.