This is the demographic that they should be targeting with their advertising, and gear the sales pitch in that direction as well.

Huh?

You'll have to show me the comments that a one armed umpire would find offensive. I don't see any.

Every time I see that picture of the ULR I wonder what the guy is doing in there. :D

It would have looked better to have his hands visible, eh?

What I am doing in the The Official's Locker Room is my business!!! HA HA

Yes, that is me in the photo....

Well, I think it's a really cool invention, and I wish I would have thought of it myself. I plan on getting one for next season, because there are absolutely no dressing rooms or school bathrooms open for our use here. It's either the street or the parking lot, with all the lookie-loos and teenage girls running around while you're trying to get dressed. I only wish it came in a larger version, so I could put a chaise lounge and wetbar inside, then it would be perfect! :D

Steve,

Ooohhh...I LIKE IT!

Perhaps, "The Officals' Locker Room - Deluxe Edition".

You should be in product development. ;)

JM

I have had one since last season, and after showing it to a buddy who's a windsurfer (no joke), he bought one and uses it more frequently at the beach than I do on the umpiring circuit. It is a very useful unit.

The inventor has a lot more to gain than he has to lose. If stuff like the Umpire's Dressing Room and the Mask Hook don't sell, the innovators will get ridiculed by some, and complimented by others for trying something new. If they do sell, and possibly become a part of umpiring tradition for the next 100+ years, the inventors will make a fortune.

As far as changing facilities go, we will continue to be treated in sub-standard fashion, even at some colleges. So the Official's Locker Room has a place.

There will never, ever be a need for the Mask Hook.

Never.

Ever.

There must have been some need by someone. I'm sure some were asked if they would use it.

My $0.02...
 

There is no NEED for the hook. It is a LAZY item, for LAZY people. (Note the use of people and not umpire.) I have never had a problem with getting dirt and chalk on my mask. It is always in 1 of 3 places: 1.) My gear bag, 2.) My head, 3.) My hand. Don't see why it needs to be anywhere else.

Might be cheesy, and I don't have one, but it looks a whole lot better than some of my partners who feel it necessary to change behind the back of the car, showing the world (women and children) how sharp they look in their compression shorts, etc. I am VERY embarrassed when they do that....Why can't they change between their open passenger and driver doors? Some sense of decency please!!!

....Im all for bringing new equipment etc into our profession, but this is just a step above the mask hook. To me, this brings more attention to the official dropping trough in the parking lot of your local educational institution. Ive never had anyone notice me changing in the lot, as we can do it discretely without calling attention to ourselves. But putting this mini-ringling tent up, just shouts...."attention all kids, moms, student-athletes, official getting naked here".....

Perhaps there was little to notice! :p:):D