Do the participants really care how we are dressed

[Emperor Ump]

Originally Posted by piaa_ump

I took this thought to heart...I applied this to my 2 associations....man by man with my regular partner and our assignor...The 3 of us went down the roster and almost to a man we agreed that the umpires that are consistently rated as the best are also the better dressed umpires...

The only few (3) exceptions were very senior umpires who have allowed thier uniforms standards to lag as they transistion out ...

This is a great point...

It goes to pride. Those who take pride in their work are going to dress better, work harder on their mechanics, study the rules more in depth and therefore be better umpires.

Back to the original post do the participants care? I believe yes, to a lesser extent than other umpires, but they do still care. Maybe in my area and it sounds like in SoCal too (based on SDS & Kyles comments) the expectation has been set and the participants and parents know what an umpire should look like. I do also agree that they will probably be able to set aside their prejudices once an umpire demonstrates his ability, for better or worse.

[PeteBooth]

Originally Posted by Emperor Ump

This is a great point...

It goes to pride. Those who take pride in their work are going to dress better, work harder on their mechanics, study the rules more in depth and therefore be better umpires.

Back to the original post do the participants care? I believe yes, to a lesser extent than other umpires, but they do still care. Maybe in my area and it sounds like in SoCal too (based on SDS & Kyles comments) the expectation has been set and the participants and parents know what an umpire should look like. I do also agree that they will probably be able to set aside their prejudices once an umpire demonstrates his ability, for better or worse.

IMO, Tee's response sums it up best

"I am only saying that a well dressed umpire will normally command a certain amount of respect UNTIL THE FIRST MISSED PITCH OR CLOSE CALL ON THE BASES!"

IMO, it's like many things in life.

When we played and had to pick players that we have not seen before etc. we picked those players based upon how they dressed meaning did they look like a ball player or an athlete because that's all we had to go on, however,

Once we saw them play if they were good they could come to the next game "naked" for all we cared

We all come from different parts of the country and YES it's been known that a well dressed umpire will command a certain amount of respect etc. however, once the game begins the coach inevitably wll be concerned with the following:

1. Positioning of the umpire crew.
2. PU's consistency calling balls / strikes
3. Umpire teammwork meaning does the PU bust his but covering third base when needed.
4. Overall hustle of the umpiring crew and perhaps one of the most important
5. Umpire demeanor.

Now if the umpires in addition to looking bad also call a horrible game then I agree the first words from the coaches would be based upon dress and then get into all the other stuff.

I have umpired games when I didn't have my apparel because of emergencies etc. Ultimately how I called the game was how I was judged.

I dress appropriately becasue of pride just like when I go to work and also as many of us - To remain in good standing with our various umpire associations. BUT

Suppose we were independent meaning had no association to report to so to speak and no mandates on dress code what would happen.

The umpires who indeed dressed the best would most likely get the first assignments however, after the "dust settled" those umpires who were qualified would start getting the bulk of the work.

Not a bad topic when things are as slow as they have been.

Pete Booth

[ozzy6900]

Up here in CT, most of the HS coaches know what you should look like on the field. Old cronies such as myself are known to almost all of the Varsity coaches, so if I were to show up without my uniform and do the bases, they know what kind of umpire I am. They know that they will get the same umpire no matter what I am wearing (alright, I heard that wise-a$$ remark, Tim ). Of course, I would not dream of stepping on a field without the proper attire because that is part of my preparation as an umpire.

On the other side of the coin, I have seen spotless, perfectly pressed uniforms coupled with perfectly shined shoes, patent leather belt, cap creased in a professional manner, only to encrust a hopeless individual. It's like anything else, you can lead a horse to water and you can put the pigs in the barn, but in the end, integrity is what really wins out.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Up here in CT, most of the HS coaches know what you should look like on the field. Old cronies such as myself are known to almost all of the Varsity coaches, so if I were to show up without my uniform and do the bases, they know what kind of umpire I am. They know that they will get the same umpire no matter what I am wearing

But the point is, you DON'T show up like that. That's what the skipper in my post was alluding to. Top umpires know to look the part.

Not all umpires who look good are good. But nearly all umpires who look like sh!t, are.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Hi all:

Nigel's recent thread and Rich Ives response prompted me for this thread.


Whenever the word "Smitty" comes up I believe the first comment on the list is the way the umpire was dressed and then all the "other stuff"

Other than our peers and association mandates regarding dress apparel ie; HS, College etc. the question?

Do people really care how we look out there.

Let's take Nigel's case. Perhaps at the beginning of the game the participants got a good laugh but as the game progressed as long as they saw Nigel Hustle and call a good game is what is most important.

We talk about the BU carrying a ball bag or the PU wearing shin guards on top of their jeans etc.

BUT if they call a good game isn't that what is most important?

Before, everyone "jumps on me" I am in no way advocating that the BU carry a ball bag on the bases or wear shin guards on the outside of jeans etc.

I am merely pointing out that as Rich Ives suggested the dress issue is more of a concern for Umpire vs. umpire or association protocol than the participants.

I am sure we all know some umpires who are dressed sharp have the latest and greatest apparel etc. but when they step on the field the coaches "cringe" and say to themselves "Not him again"

So let's take away umpire associations for a minute in which we are mandated to dress a certain way. Is apparel that important of an issue for the participants or is it more of an umpire vs. umpire issue


Hey guys/gals it's been slow or

Perhaps it's "Pete are you for real with this" but like I said it's been slow

Pete Booth

I guess I'll reply to the topic of "participants"...once the game is going for a couple of innings, and you show you have control with good zone, timing, and all the other tools....it just doesn't matter what you look like, but how you act and how your field presence shows you have been there with the polish of the above skills...It proved itself in my OP on "smitty"

Good fodder though Pete..we have people in our association who like being that "not him again" guy...I would like to be under the radar myself when it comes to that quote..

fwiw..l wear a 6 stitch on the plate and 8 on the bases...richardson is all we wear..

[bigda65]

Guys,

It must be an area thing. Last year our LL area held the district tournament. While I was checking the equipment, I overheard the manager tell his kids we had really good umpires today ( me and two of my brothers ). Now were we dressed to the nines? NO, but by the same token we weren't dressed as hobos either, I had shorts on that day because it was very hot and humid.
I did not know this guy at all, maybe word travels about umpiring ability.
By the same token, I think word travels about non umpiring abilities as well.
Maybe bad attire is the final icing on the cake as to completely sucking, but what is the difference if you hear "Looks really, really sharp but sucks on the field" ?

[kylejt]

Ha!

IF you were within listening distance, what you heard was the coach kissing up to you.

Shorts?! Umpire shorts? Really?

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Shorts?! Umpire shorts? Really?

I saw the Major League Lacrosse all star game on ESPN and the officials were wearing shorts. I've seen NFL officials wear shorts in scrimmages. Shorts in high school and youth football are common. In Summer basketball many officials wear shorts.

What is the big deal with someone wearing shorts to officiate baseball?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by LDUB

What is the big deal with someone wearing shorts to officiate baseball?

Easy. In most other sports the officials are more (how can I put this nicely) athletic. Baseball umpires have lots of fellows that are under no circumstances allowed in public wearing shorts.

Here's a visual for you: Joe West wearing shorts at second base.

Case closed.

p.s. this goes for cops too.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by bigda65

Guys,

It must be an area thing. Last year our LL area held the district tournament.... While I was checking the equipment, I overheard the manager tell his kids we had really good umpires today ( me and two of my brothers ). Now were we dressed to the nines? NO, but by the same token we weren't dressed as hobos either, I had shorts on that day because it was very hot and humid....

Shorts? At a district tournament? It must either be an area thing or LL has a slowpitch softball division I don't know about.