Would you take the field with this guy?

[APG]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

While none of us would not do thew game, the original poster has a point. I've worked with people who made no pretext of looking professional, and it causes nothing but problems.

I worked two basketball games in the past year with a guy who has pants so small that his pocket insides stick out, he has white showing all around his waist. His shirt is wrinkled, his jacket looks like it came from a Goodwill store, and we had nothing but trouble all night long. I even tried to loan him a jacket. Your looks do say something about your competence as an umpire.

IN Baseball it is somewhat different because of the gear a plate man wears, and the fact that there is a distinct difference in PU and BU because of where they work, and what the do during a game. But a bad partner does not make you look good!

You have to say something to him in the postgame. What and how you tell him is something io have no answer to.

Of course this is all true...looking professional is a very important aspect of the job. But the question is whether we would work with an official who looked like the official in the OP.

I can say as a basketball official, I would say the equivalent would be an official wearing shorts and a collared T plus white shoes during a regular season game...and there's no way I would consider not working the game. I'd definitely have a word with the partner when appropriate...and you can bet an assignor is getting a word from me and probably both coaches.

[MrUmpire]

Would you take the field with this guy?

Not twice.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by allpurposegamer

of course this is all true...looking professional is a very important aspect of the job. But the question is whether we would work with an official who looked like the official in the op.

I can say as a basketball official, i would say the equivalent would be an official wearing shorts and a collared t plus white shoes during a regular season game...and there's no way i would consider not working the game. I'd definitely have a word with the partner when appropriate...and you can bet an assignor is getting a word from me and probably both coaches.

+1

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

Of course this is all true...looking professional is a very important aspect of the job. But the question is whether we would work with an official who looked like the official in the OP.

I can say as a basketball official, I would say the equivalent would be an official wearing shorts and a collared T plus white shoes during a regular season game...and there's no way I would consider not working the game. I'd definitely have a word with the partner when appropriate...and you can bet an assignor is getting a word from me and probably both coaches.

+2

Peace

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Would you take the field with a partner who is working the plate? His pants are obviously not plate pants. They are so tight around the legs that they barely fit over his shin guards. Because of this, his pants are about six inches too short. I was not working this game, but I was embarrassed to be watching it.

Maybe he forgot his plate pants. I never have but I would make do with what I had with me. I showed up to work 3 games once and my partner had the blue softball shirt, dark blue dockers, no hat, no ball bag. I found out it was only his 4th or 5th game and we were working a good 16 year old tournament. Hey it wasn't his fault he was assigned the game it was the assignors fault. I did 2 plates and we talked between innings and did some on the job training and got through it.

[UmpJM]

gordon,

I find your approach both professional and pragmatic.

JM

[gordon30307]

Ya know I like the Charcoal Gray as opposed to Heather Gray but in order to match my partner I need a pair of Davis, Hoenigs, Official choice and Smittys. They're all friggin different shades. I've given up trying to match my partner. Hey I have an idea lets all wear Heather Gray

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

Ya know I like the Charcoal Gray as opposed to Heather Gray but in order to match my partner I need a pair of Davis, Hoenigs, Official choice and Smittys. They're all friggin different shades. I've given up trying to match my partner. Hey I have an idea lets all wear Heather Gray

I do not even know why people tried to match the color/brand in the first place. I bought the pants I liked and if it mattered to you that much, they had to match me. Also had a friend that worked for one of those companies that told me the brand he sold was not the best pair, so I never bought them. And I agree with you, I would almost rather go back to the Heather Gray for that same reason. I mean if I do not have the same brand of shirt should we by the same brand which are also different in color?

Peace

[STL_UMP]

Originally Posted by umpire99

Would you take the field with a partner who is working the plate? His pants are obviously not plate pants. They are so tight around the legs that they barely fit over his shin guards. Because of this, his pants are about six inches too short. I was not working this game, but I was embarrassed to be watching it.

Can I wear Combo Pants?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by STL_UMP

Can I wear Combo Pants?

I always say that plate pants are fine for the plate, base pants are fine for the bases, and combo pants are fine for NEITHER. I own none and never will.

[STL_UMP]

Our main problem here is that there is no place to easily change. Bathrooms are far away and if your games are running late...

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by STL_UMP

Our main problem here is that there is no place to easily change. Bathrooms are far away and if your games are running late...

Wear tights and you can change in the parking lot without embarrassment (or unwanted attention from law enforcement).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by STL_UMP

Our main problem here is that there is no place to easily change. Bathrooms are far away and if your games are running late...

It takes seconds to take the pants off and put another on. Trust me, they'll wait for you.

I wear tights, but a different pair on the plate. I change between my car doors, but there's always about 10 seconds where I'm a bit more, um, exposed than I'd like. And the Umpire's Locker Room is too much of a pain to use.

Still, combo pants suck.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by STL_UMP

Can I wear Combo Pants?

On some guys, plate pants are too big -- the combos work here.

On some guys, the base pants are too small -- the combos work here.

For (almost) no one does the combo work for both the plates and the bases.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by STL_UMP

Can I wear Combo Pants?

STL_UMP,

You can, but, based on personal experience, you'll regret it later.

JM