Because the legs are too baggy when working the bases and they're too tight when wearing shin guards.

I just found out (purely a coincidence) that I'm being provided one pair of combo pants for a tournament I'm working in August. I found out the model of pants and ordered plate and base pants (on my own dime) to use.

I'm sorry U99, but just so you know; I finally did get some longer pants, but they're still a lil tight. ;)

Sk the tourney director if you can get a pair of plate or base instead, tell em you'll buy a pair of the opposite.

Too late, the pants are already ordered and shipped. I found someone to take the combo pants off my hands once I return.

The question shouldn't be "would you take the field with this guy?" but "Why do some umpires show up to work looking like they slept in their clothes?" While I understand that certain people might be strapped financially, there should be no excuse for not washing and ironing shirts and pants along with dusting off shoes and putting on a little polish. For me showing up to umpire is the same as me showing up for work... While your apperance might not have anything to do with your performance it certainly sends a signal to those at the park and usually that signal isn't very favorable.

PastorDoug,
I have a good friend in the trades who shows up in a t-shirt full of holes and pants that have seen better days. He does meticulous work and is always in demand. When I asked him why he doesn't wear a polo type shirt or at least a t-shirt that looks new, he said that people want his work to be good, not for him to look so. He had a point. While most of us take pride in our appearance and performance, so value the latter more.

Rain and 70 in Chicagoland today. What happened to June?