Shoes Not what kind but .....

[bobbybanaduck]

i like the white. but you're right...if you're in an association that doesn't want white, the RBKs won't do.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

i like the white. but you're right...if you're in an association that doesn't want white, the RBKs won't do.

Fortunately, the number of associations that can't tolerate white logos seems to be diminishing. In our particular case, I see a corelation between the number of members who attend either proschool or a classic where they are exposed to current trends in the pros, and the increase in tolerance to white logos on plate and base shoes.

[chartrusepengui]

thanks for the info.

I love my patents for basketball - light and easy to maintain. After a season or two I wear them for volleyball and get new basketball shoes. The old ones still look great but I've pounded them to death.

After reading these responses though - I don't think I'll go with the patents for softball/baseball.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Fortunately, the number of associations that can't tolerate white logos seems to be diminishing. In our particular case, I see a corelation between the number of members who attend either proschool or a classic where they are exposed to current trends in the pros, and the increase in tolerance to white logos on plate and base shoes.

I take some credit for the trend, going way back. I'm not sure if this goes here or in the "quirky" thread, but...

"Older" umpires remember a time when there were not a dozen gear houses to choose from, and on lots of things you took what you could get. The +POS plate shoes were the only ones offered in EEE (at least that I could find), and were WAY more comfortable than anything else my EE feet had ever worn. Of course, they had the prominent white logo. An assignor told me I couldn't wear them at games he assigned.

I said, "Like he!!"

He said, "We'll see."

This was when individual ADs cared about the quality of officiating, assignors didn't control 95% of the market, and I was getting most of my games on my own. He had one league in which I had been working for several years prior to it hiring him.

I called all five ADs and told them I was going to be removed from their games because I had white logos on my shoes, but I would be showing up and since I had signed contracts with all of them, I expected to be paid. Two called the assignor and said, paraphrasing, "WTF is wrong with you?"

Literally hundreds of incompetent and barely competent umpires in every state, but still high on the priority list of many is whether you have white on your shoes and the color of your shirt.

Aaah, the good 'ol days when we were truly independent contractors.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

i like the white. but you're right...if you're in an association that doesn't want white, the RBKs won't do.

The State of Alabama is allowing a "moderate amount" of white on shoes this season. I can't help but think the RBK's are above "moderate. But there are guys wearing them, so we'll see.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I remember in the mid 80s wearing Vans plate and base shoes, and the white V looked awesome! My association has never banned white on shoes, and with all the pros in our group, I'm sure the RBKs will be very prominent.