Uniforms

[Kevin Finnerty]

Here's the uniform code for one umpiring association (the format doesn't copy over very well, but it's readable):

Your Cap:
Your cap must be fitted and preferably not made of a mesh material.
Your cap's color is to match the color of your uniform shirt.
Your cap should always be clean.
Your cap should show no fading or fraying or other signs of extended wear.
Your cap's crown should be creased.

Your Uniform Shirt:
Your shirt should be clean and wrinkle-free.
Your shirt should be free of snags, fading or other signs of extended wear.
Your shirt should not be constructed of the outdated dazzle material.
Your shirt should be properly sized for work either behind the plate or on the bases.
Your shirt should be worn neatly tucked into your slacks.
Your shirt's color must always match the color worn by the other crew member(s).
Standard Colors: Black with White pinstripe collar and sleeve trim; Light Blue with Black and Light Blue collar and sleeve trim (MLB Blue); Light Blue with Navy & White collar and sleeve trim (H.S. Blue); Navy with Scarlet & White Collar and sleeve trim; Cream with Black pinstripe collar and sleeve trim; White with Navy and Scarlet Collar and sleeve trim.

Your Undershirt:
Your undershirt should be a crew neck or mock neck style in a color matching the darkest color of your uniform shirt's collar trim.
A mock neck style undershirt should be worn under a jacket or long-sleeve uniform shirt.
A long-sleeve undershirt can be worn under a jacket or long-sleeve uniform shirt.
Your undershirt's sleeves should never show from under your uniform shirt.
Standard Undershirt Colors: Black, Navy, Scarlet, White.

Your Jacket:
Your jacket should be a microfiber quarter-zip pullover with elastic sleeve inserts, or with a thin piping across the chest and elastic side inserts.
Your jacket can be worn tucked into your slacks. (Not required.)
Your jacket's color and trim design must always match that of the other crew member(s).
Standard Colors: Black with White inserts, Navy with Scarlet and White inserts, Navy with Powder Blue inserts

Your Slacks:
Your slacks should be industry standard umpire slacks.
Your slacks should fit your waist and not appear overstuffed, nor should they fit so loosely that there is bunching at the waist.
You must wear slacks for work behind the plate that accommodate your leg guards without any visible knee plates.
Your slacks should be clean and wrinkle-free, with a razor-sharp crease front and back.
Your slacks should be tailored to fall over your shoe tops, but must not drag on the ground.
Standard Colors: Charcoal Gray; Heather Gray. The color should match that of the other crew members.

Your Belt:
Umpire standard 1 ¾-inch leather belt with square chrome buckle.
Your belt should be properly sized so that it does not appear to be pulled too tight.
Your belt should be shiny and free of cracks. (High-gloss patent leather not required.)

Your Ball Bags:
Your ball bags should be professional cloth style with two wide tunnel loops that accommodate a 1 ¾ inch belt.
You may choose to wear one ball bag or two.
You may choose to carry your plate brush, stopwatch, indicator and lineup card holder in the style with special pockets for those items.
Your ball bags should always be clean and wrinkle-free, and should be replaced if they show excess wear or fading.
Standard colors: Black or Navy (Gray ball bags to match the slacks are also acceptable)

Your Shoes:
Your plate shoes must be industry standard with a hard plastic or steel toe box and a hard plastic or hard leather reinforced instep flap.
Your base shoes should be all-black umpire or referee turf shoes.
Your shoes should always be cleaned and shined before every game.
Your shoes may be of a high-gloss patent leather finish.
Your shoes should be virtually free of white logos or designs.