Do the participants really care how we are dressed

[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.

[Dave Reed]

Originally Posted by rei

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

If by "missed the point" you mean "not convinced of the point", then I plead guilty.

[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!

[johnnyg08]

I would tend to agree with the above post...to a point...in many leagues all the players care about is that the umps shows up on time and does a good job. Just because that's might be the case, that doesn't mean we as umpires don't care about our appearance simply because our customers don't care...

[Tim C]

"You would never advance very high in any kind of officials association, and would probably never amount to any kind of decent official, and frankly, would have an opinion that no decent official would really care about."

Rei and I are in the same high school association. I am an umpire observer for his college group. I post this so you all can recognize that even two umpires in the same group can see things through different colored glasses.

The Portland Baseball Umpires Association is made up of around 175 people from varied backgrounds.

We have umpires of all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and ages.

I couldn't disagree more with Rei on this specific subject. The Original post asked do "participants" care how umpires look. My answer to that is a firm "no."

From my experience the PBUA still sends guys to upper level (and playoff) games that dress horribly.

All the regulars know that I am a grear junky. I have both plate and base pants in heather and charcoal and I carry 47 different shirts to every game. I STILL CANNOT MATCH EVERY OTHER PBUA MEMBER WHEN IT COMES TO SHADE OF PANT OR SHIRT OR PIPING PATTERN ON SLEEVES.

Participants want a good solid job of umpiring. While having never worked a small diamond game I have heard gasps and "gee, we get real umpires today!" when I have been near a game of young players. That isn't how I viewed this original post.

Rei and I lament annually about the caps our umpires wear. We have ba$terized that selection by using several different suppliers over the past five years. As umpires that work non-professional games how much investment (money) can we expect our members to pony-up?

Wear a clean uniform and wipe dirt and dust from your shoes before each game. That will "impress" those that count and leave the "uniform police" to worrying about each other.

And Rei, just because Dave Reed doesn't agree with you does not mean he should burn in he11 . . . he has a right to an opinion.

Regards,

[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.