How about an opinion:

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Absolutely.

As much as we like to think the players, coaches and fans don't know squat about umpiring, they're the ultimate customers of our services. You can have the nicest gear, ironed polywools, shiney shoes, and fabulous mechanics, but if your strikezone sucks, so you do, in their eyes.

I would agree with this. We talk all the time about how looking professional with your uniform/equipment is important, but in the end, coaches don't really care about that stuff. I know of umpires who coaches love who wear crappy gear and look like slobs, but they are well-liked. (Part of which may just be because the coaches can influence their calls and walk all over them)

I'd like to think that having top of the line uniforms and equipment helps how I'm perceived, but I don't know if it really does.