Do the participants really care how we are dressed

[yawetag]

I'm loving this thread.

As a fairly new umpire (2 years experience and just getting ready for my first year of HS ball), I don't have much experience to back me up in situations. With that, I made sure I had two things working for me:

1. Knowledge of the rules, and
2. Appearance.

At least, I thought I did.

When I signed up for my first umpiring gig (a small city league that teams up with other cities), all I got uniform-wise was a velcro-backed hat and a red umpire shirt. When I asked about pants and shoes, I was told, "We prefer black pants, but wear whatever you want." I didn't know how true this statement would be.

That night, I asked my wife what color would look good as an undershirt. I was told black, so that's what I did. I had an older, but still good-looking, pair of black slacks, so I used those. I went out and bought what I'd worn for years on a ball field: cleats. I also poured over the league's rules, as well as OBR, since they used them when league rules didn't specifically rule it out.

When I arrived at the field the next afternoon (almost an hour early), I was fully dressed, minus the cleats. I walked into the field house, and only the UIC was there. About 15 minutes before the start of the games, MOST of the umpires were there. What surprised me was that the "whatever you want" statement was true. Some were wearing shorts, one was wearing tan pants, and others were wearing jeans. I was confused. Not only that, some didn't even have the shirt that was given; most were wearing a red t-shirt, but a couple weren't. It looked like the UIC had just walked down Main Street and randomly picked people to umpire.

Now, don't get me wrong -- I wasn't perfect. I wore my shin guards on the outside (I didn't know any better, and that's what everyone else did), and I still wear a hat backwards (I was never given one that would work forward, and I have yet to find one in a store that would work) and cleats (plate shoes weren't worth the expense for the league I was umpiring).

I have since learned my lesson, and will make sure I'm correctly clothed for next season. I don't do it for the coaches, the players, or the fans. I do it for me and my crew.

A wise man once said that you "only have one chance to make a first impression." I hold this very true and try my hardest to make sure I'm looking the best I can when I walk onto the field. I can only hope the rest of my crew feels the same.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by yawetag

and I still wear a hat backwards (I was never given one that would work forward, and I have yet to find one in a store that would work)

I'm confused. How does a hat "not work" forward?

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I'm confused. How does a hat "not work" forward?

It's probably a regular hat in which the brim is too big- so it would "not work" forward.

Originally Posted by bossman72

It's probably a regular hat in which the brim is too big- so it would "not work" forward.

I have accidentally grabbed my base hat for doing the plate. while a bit "snug", I have had no problems with getting my mask on. When taking the mask off, I just have to pull a tad harder out to clear the bill. No big deal.

Wearing a hat backwards just looks silly!

[kylejt]

I use 8 stitch "normal" hats for all my umpiring. I just takes a bit of practice.

I don't do combos or beanies, per the request of Jimmy Dugan.

[Rich]

I wore 8-stitch hats for everything until I got the new titanium Wilson mask, which is lower profile. I broke down and bought some 4-stitch hats.

For most masks, an 8-stitch works just as easily as a 4-stitch if you remember the mask goes out, then up.

[Emperor Ump]

I typically wear a 6 stitch hat behind the plate, I really don't care for the 4 stitch ones. But like Kyle & Rich have said an 8 can be worn with out too much problem, depending on the mask. I have worn my 8 stitch twice with my dynalite mask and all works fine, but it takes some conscious effort to remove your mask swiftly.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by bossman72

It's probably a regular hat in which the brim is too big- so it would "not work" forward.

Sure it would. I will occasionally work the plate with a regular (8-stitch) bill, sometimes a 6-stitch. Loosen the mask straps, remember to pull out first, etc., etc...

[ozzy6900]

I wear my base hat (8 stitch) when instructing the younglings at the clinics. When we get the part of teaching how to properly remove the mask, I watch for the youngling having the most trouble, borrow his/her mask and show them that even with the "wrong" hat and a borrowed, unfitted mask, it is the mechanic that removes the mask and leaves the hat in place.

That stated, I use a combo hat at the plate when I work (6 stitch) because it is comfortable (fitted of course), looks good, and I don't have any doubt that it will remain on my head. Beside, I never had any of our customers come out and measure the brim of my hat. Hat - cap who cares what you call it!

Oh yes, and we have several of our members who have ordered new "bird's bill", Jimmy Dugan specials over the last couple of years. No one (except your's truly) dares to say anything to them about their hats!

[Dave Reed]

Well, this thread has (predictably) strayed away from the original question, and has become once again a fashion topic. Or the ever-popular "how long is your bill?"

My strongly held position, based on attending way too many baseball games in my role as a dad, is that the participants truly don't care how an umpire is dressed. At the D1 level, if a plate umpire were to show up in blue jeans, with the leg guards (necessarily) worn on the outside, it would be noticed because it would be completely outside the norm. But the participants wouldn't care or withhold respect. (Of course there are some participants who would be unhappy regardless.) Respect stems from competence, and competence or the lack of shows up quickly for a plate umpire.

In reality, except for new umpires, the participants already have formed their opinion based on previous games.

There's nothing wrong with dressing the part, and I suspect it helps some umpires be confident and competent. It almost certainly is an important aspect of moving up in the ranks. But the participants form their opinions based on primarily an umpires actions.

Originally Posted by Dave Reed

Well, this thread has (predictably) strayed away from the original question, and has become once again a fashion topic. Or the ever-popular "how long is your bill?"

My strongly held position, based on attending way too many baseball games in my role as a dad, is that the participants truly don't care how an umpire is dressed. At the D1 level, if a plate umpire were to show up in blue jeans, with the leg guards (necessarily) worn on the outside, it would be noticed because it would be completely outside the norm. But the participants wouldn't care or withhold respect. (Of course there are some participants who would be unhappy regardless.) Respect stems from competence, and competence or the lack of shows up quickly for a plate umpire.

In reality, except for new umpires, the participants already have formed their opinion based on previous games.

There's nothing wrong with dressing the part, and I suspect it helps some umpires be confident and competent. It almost certainly is an important aspect of moving up in the ranks. But the participants form their opinions based on primarily an umpires actions.

You have (predictably) missed the point many were trying to make in this thread.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Dave Reed

Well, this thread has (predictably) strayed away from the original question, and has become once again a fashion topic. Or the ever-popular "how long is your bill?"

My strongly held position, based on attending way too many baseball games in my role as a dad, is that the participants truly don't care how an umpire is dressed. At the D1 level, if a plate umpire were to show up in blue jeans, with the leg guards (necessarily) worn on the outside, it would be noticed because it would be completely outside the norm. But the participants wouldn't care or withhold respect. (Of course there are some participants who would be unhappy regardless.) Respect stems from competence, and competence or the lack of shows up quickly for a plate umpire.

In reality, except for new umpires, the participants already have formed their opinion based on previous games.

There's nothing wrong with dressing the part, and I suspect it helps some umpires be confident and competent. It almost certainly is an important aspect of moving up in the ranks. But the participants form their opinions based on primarily an umpires actions.

I strongly disagree with you being an ex-professional player, an ex-coach, an umpire, a father of a pitcher and being in the game for almost 45 years! But then, what do I know...... I'm just a dumb umpire!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

That stated, I use a combo hat at the plate when I work (6 stitch) because it is comfortable (fitted of course)...

Combo hats are 4 stitch. Short-bill base hats are 6 stitch. I find that the bills on combo hats are too short for plate work. I too like the 6 stitch for the plate and 8 stitch long-bill hats for the bases.