Red caps?
 

What's up with umpires wearing RED caps on Memorial Day?

Everyone in MLB is wearing red caps to honor fallen soldiers.

Similar to the blue caps with red/white/blue logos of last year.

A Bad Idea?
 

Photo Gallery - Yahoo! Sports
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This one is my pick for tops.
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Close second
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The crew working the Angel-Chisox game aren't following suit.

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090525/ca...all_pnc108.jpg

Looks like Bud Black's about to get knocked out, not thrown out.:D

Ol' Bud got run for yapping about Eric Cooper making a correct call in which the Padres catcher pulled his foot on the first part of a 3-2-3 double play attempt, calling the runner at the plate safe.

Ted Leitner, famous umpire-hater and Padres broadcaster, ragged on Cooper for throwing out the player (Hundley I think) and then the skipper. The player said, "You gotta be ****in kiddin'" Them's some magic words, Ted.

Black was arguing that it was a "neighborhood" play and the catcher pulled his foot to avoid getting spiked, but Cooper wasn't having any of it (the throw pulled the catcher's foot off the plate, not because of any runner's slide), and when Black said his own magic words, goodbye!!!

Not intentionally.

The caps didn't arrive before the game.

That always cracks me up. What did they do: decide on the caps on Sunday night?

Oh well. If it weren't for the last minute, a lot of sh!t wouldn't get done. :cool:

Chances are they could buy a couple in the gift shop.

Now that Memorial Day is over, I hope I do not see those ugly caps on umpires again!

Must have, cause the crew in Milwaukee was playing with them for the first 2 innings, trying to break them in.

I also saw something I'd never seen at a ML game -- the CC (Rapuano) walked to the home dugout and asked a clubbie to bring out the base umpires' jackets. They put them on in center field during an inning break.

I thought they looked good, it was only once and for a really good reason.

Doubtful. The caps have the logo sewn on the front and they are fitted.

MLB doesn't regulate UPS.

Gotcha'

Obviously not: UPS doesn't deliver on weekends or holidays. :rolleyes:

How many shops have you seen umpire hats in? I bet they'd sell like hotcakes....:p

I bought the Angels and MLB umpire versions of the light navy with the Stars & Stripes logo from last year, and I'll buy the Angels version of this one, but I would never go near this year's red umpire version. It's ghastly.

UPS does deliver on Saturdays, but what does your post and your idiotic smilie have to do with my statement: MLB doesn't regulate UPS? They don't. And if the caps aren't delivered by Saturday, they aren't going to be worn.

This wouldn't be the first time that a delivery of one kind or another didn't get to a stadium on time.

I think he meant that if MLB ran UPS, they would have them working 24/7 with no time off. And the smiley face is actually the symbol for "roll eyes," indicating heavy sarcasm.

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/SARCASM1.jpg

Do they sell those on the team sites/mlb.com...what about the ump styles?

I too, don't like this year's red ones.

MLB Umpire's Authentic 2009 Stars & Stripes Performance 59FIFTY On-Field Cap - MLB.com Shop

Is this the 2009 version?

Hundley got run for saying: "You are making up calls." AUTOMATIC in pro ball. Question an umpires integrity... DONE! He said it once, then cooper said: "Excuse me?" Hundley said it again and was ran!

And the hats look good!

Look for them soon, at a rec park near you. :p

Except they'll be on backwards. :D

That's it.

I suppose it would look more like a straight MLB logo cap and not necessarily an umpire cap, but it's still a little cheesy. The only reason the Angels version isn't cheesy is that it's already red.

The 2008 umpire's version looks way cooler:

http://idn.efashionsolutions.com/ass...TAR_navy_front

UPS doesn't normally deliver on Saturdays. The USPS does, and FedEx does, but not UPS as far as I know.

Yes, you are right...that's what happened. And after actually seeing the replay in stop action, I retract the "good call" comment. Cooper kicked the crap out of it. Foot really was on the base after all.

$36.99, for a hat, I can really see these just flying off the shelves... ;)

Wow, YGTBSM...I'm patriotic, but not idiotic!:p

Five..count 'em FIVE ejections Monday with those GodAwful looking caps on...the gory details here

It's that brand of corporate greed that ... oh, never mind.

On behalf of my fellow veterans, those who did not make it home, and those currently serving, thanks ever so much for tolerating the umpires' observance of Memorial Day. :rolleyes:

My feelings (b/c I know that you wanted to know)
 

I think that the red caps were a good idea and a great way to simply honor those serving in ways I never could. I think that 2 other ideas that might work would be to put the umps in full camo (talk about not knowing the umpire is there :D), or have the umps where Navy and Red/White trim. I think the 2nd is a better option.

I stand corrected, although their regular ground service to residences doesn't deliver on Saturdays.

MLB ships alot with DHL, or I thought.

In the old days, a moment of silence was observed while Taps was played to commemorate those who gave their all. In my opinion, that was a much better way to pay honor then to wear "clown like" apparel, wrist bands and other "gobbly-gook" items. Maybe I'm just old fashioned being raised by WWII parents - I just don't buy into this "statement" stuff.

How delightful that this chap includes his "analysis" of whether the "call" is correct, as if the umpire might be unjustified in tossing a rat who discusses balls and strikes or calls him horsesh!t. :rolleyes:

I agree. Better than the caps would have been to send the $ spent on the caps to the USO (or some similar organization).

Totally agree.

Moment of Silence
 

At the Da' Dome here in MN there was a moment of silence before the game and then at 3:00pm everything stopped for the National Moment of Silence. I think it was right after someone hit a 2B.

On behalf of the homeless veterans who live in the area all around my office near the Westwood V.A., I give them food, water, shoes, eyeglasses, coats, sweaters, etc. on a regular basis for the last 20-plus years, rather than participate in symbolism and frivolity. Sadly, after serving their country, over 300,000 of these brave souls are completely forgotten, and live on the streets in cities all across the nation. More people need to help these veterans until this country steps back up, assumes its responsibilities and pays them back for their service.

I think many folks in our culture get caught up in wearing the bracelet, having the trendy shirt that everybody has, the bumper sticker or whatever and while I guess there is a place for that stuff...if you really wanted to show your support donate things like Kevin says above...versus making money for capitalists...it's a touchy subject because I guess I don't really have a better idea on how to "show" that you support something...but also not sure that I need a $40 hat to show that I know it's Memorial Day.

Amen

...but does it match the always-popular red/scarlet umpire shirt?!? :D

It kills me how many of the guys in my association 1) still love that red shirt and 2) don't buy anything new. Ever.

Admittedly, I was a fan of the red when it first came out. Now, I don't even bring it with me so there no temptation for my partner (whomever that may be) to suggest wearing the red. Now, if they had red ball bags to go w/ my red hat and red shirt, that might change my mind! :-) On second thought...probably not.

I too, have strong opinions on guys who don't keep their gear in good shape...especially their hats, shirts, and pants...those are the things that the non-umpires notice when we step on the field. There are very few guys out there who are that hard-up for money that they can't keep their uniforms looking sharp. IMO, guys who don't look sharp bring down the entire association's reputation.

Has anyone worn the new New Era 5950s with the poly (rather than wool) material? I like the idea of no shrinking and moisture management, but haven't bought one yet.

Hurry! There's not much time left.

The MLS Premium Collection 2009 'DEEP' Red Short Sleeve Umpire Shirt_3 * * FREE RED BALL BAG IN PACKAGE Offer ENDS May 31, 2009* *

The MLS Premium Collection 2009 'DEEP' Red Short Sleeve Umpire Shirt_3 * * FREE RED BALL BAG IN PACKAGE Offer ENDS May 31, 2009* *

"Changing the industry one umpire at a time"

Maybe he means the food service industry?

I know of the 5950's and they're nice.

Well, not this one!

This veteran thought the hats were somewhat tacky.

I agree with whoever it was that suggested camo. (Then I might have an excuse to buy a camo HSM--I've always wanted one.)

This veteran wears a camo ball cap all the time, complete with eagle/American flag on the front, flaming stars & stripes on the long bill, an American flag on the left side, an American flag pin front left, and two cross pins (one is an American flag on a cross). Under the eagle is embroidered "USA" with a gold leaf cluster surrounding it. In between the eagle's beak and the USA is a pin from my old army unit, the 2nd Armored Division, which at the time was commanded by the late Major General George S. Patton IV.

I get many compliments on my hat. A camo HSM would be sweet, but I think I'm going back to a traditional mask next season.

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/q...ordivcolor.jpghttp://i451.photobucket.com/albums/q...udlyserved.pnghttp://i451.photobucket.com/albums/q...morial_day.jpg

This veteran didn't give a damn about the hats, pins, ribbons or bracelets. It was what they stood for and that there were people who gave a damn about what they stood for.

I have no interest in corresponding with wee Barack O'Bama. I already have Vietnam-era status, and am eligible for full membership in the VFW.

Oh, and Tiocfaidh ár lá.

The point was that you don't speak on behalf of all veterans (let alone on this board,) and that criticism of the manner of the memorial is not criticism of the sentiment itself.

I more than understand who I speak for.

Re-check my post. One would think if you're old enough to be a vet you're old enough understand sarcasm. If not, look it up.

Re-check your post. One would think if you were old enough to be a vet, you'd know how to use sarcasm properly.

Hoorah.............

I saw Tim McClelland do this last year while I was in Boston (end of June). I took a picture of it and my friend asked me what was worthy of a picture in between innings. After I told him, he still didn't understand. ;)

Stars & Stripes (forever?)
 

Here they come again. Maybe someone read this thread and loved the batter so much they decided to bring them back again. (P.S. I still think they should wear navy shirts if they are going to to the red hats again, or maybe even red/scarlet shirts.)