Do the participants really care how we are dressed

[justanotherblue]

I recently had the opportunity to watch my fearless Commissioner work a Dimaggio championship game. He was U1, wearing shorts, with white socks, his partner behind the plate was properly dressed. Both had different powder blue shirts on. Mr. Commissioner had the powder with navy/white piping, the plate umpire was wearing the powder with black. The comments ran from, "these guys are a joke", to "these guys don't care about the game", to "these guys are clowns". And they were putting on a show for the crowd. The plate umpire engaged the crowd several times, as U1 was OOO, with his mechanics and game managment. To the degree of having more comments from the crowd saying how they think the game is about them. I had worked multiple games for both of these teams, and I was un-recognized as an official. As I was talking to another official whose son was playing, and another players father who made these comments. I take that as a compliment to not be recognized as an official. So does appearance matter, I guess it's just how you want to be perceived.

Overall, It's a matter of respect.

It's respect for the game, there is no reason or excuse to show up with a mustard, dirt and sweat stained shirt, that hasn't seen a washing machine all season.

It's respect for the league your representing.

Most importantly it's respect for yourself.

You can be an average at best umpire, there isn't any reason not to have over all respect for the game, league and especially yourself. Coach's can see if your out there working hard, trying to get into position to make the correct call. They can tell if your out there attending clinics and at least trying to improve yourself. They can and will argue just about anything that happens on the field, fighting for their team. It's your actions that will take away that respect, why take it away before the first pitch with your appearance.