Ohio too.

According to the IHSA Case Situation section of our site, that isn't correct.

"4/14 Umpire's uniform

Boys Baseball

Please remember that your first impression as an umpire comes from your appearance. You send a positive message regarding your professionalism when you where the appropriate uniform. This includes your IHSA officials patch or embroidery on your left sleeve of your Navy Blue shirt or pull-over. Please adhere to the uniform expectations in the officials handbook as a baseball umpire."

I spoke directly to Craig about this matter and was told in clear terms, navy blue is the official uniform for regular season baseball, as stated in the handbook. The discussion ensued after someone complained that I wore black to match my partner instead of honoring the uniform code. They sought to get me in trouble and it didn't work. It did make me more mindful of how petty some can be though. My partner didn't typically carry a navy blue shirt or jacket during regular season. The Case Situation went up on April 14 as a reminder to those who weren't following protocol.

I have never seen a black baseball umpire's shirt with IHSA patch on it. They may be out there but I haven't seen them. I do like the black, except on days like today - 92 with a heat index near 100. Light blue will do just fine when the mercury climbs, unless you are working IHSA ball, that is. ;) I know of one guy who breaks out the balloon when it gets this hot. Good umpire, smart guy...I lost a gallon of sweat last weekend. Take it easy, JM!

WI is about as stubborn with the navy blue nonsense.

They say it's because they don't want people to feel they have to go out and buy new stuff to feel they need to keep up with the times. Instead, those of us that work HS and college need to maintain two complete sets of uniforms, including jackets and plate coats to be "in compliance." I love the plate coat, but I'm not buying two of them. So they'll probably get black when I buy one for next season and I'll say it's a really, really dark navy.

We are allowed to wear "light blue" so we wear either the polo blue / black or the new Majestic Pro Sky Blue shirts. Those require a black hat, but again, those are just a dark navy blue if you look closely enough. Fortunately, the one thing WI gets right is that there is no patch and we have a "clean shirt" policy -- no association or state patches anywhere on the uniform.

I work with the same people all season. They are all college umpires, as well, so I would probably never buy another navy anything if they just loosened up the uniform requirements. Till then, I have to keep two sets.

The use of different colored shirts, as long as you match your partner, is still the standard in regular season games in Illinois. This is what we are told to teach at clinics and that has not changed. Navy blue is standard for tournament play. The patch should always be worn on the left shirt sleeve or embroidered.

Jon, I am part of the 'we' who conduct clinics. I posted the official line. Dave or Anthony may have been more tolerant but that is not the case any more. Far too many umpires were working games without our patch and wearing whatever color they thought appropriate. Check the IHSA site with the Case Situations and you will see what is being taught now and what Craig wants.

Craig was at one of the clinics I taught for the IHSA this year. At the other three I saw clinicians preach the official handbook uniform. They did mention what I encountered, if your partner doesn't have the official uniform, do your best to match his for that game but don't make it a habit. Call your partner prior to find out what they will do.

Here is what the current IHSA handbook states about our regular season uniform:

Baseball
1. Heather gray pants;
2. Navy blue coat/jacket/sweater/shirt;
3. Navy blue pullover;
4. Navy blue windbreaker;
5. Navy blue or black socks;
6. Navy or black belt if applicable;
7. Proper umpire’s cap. Cap of plate umpire should have a 1 1/2” or 2 1/8” visor.
Cap of base umpire should have 2 1/2” or 3” visor;
8. Black polished shoes with black laces. The shoes of the plate umpire should
be of the safety variety. The base umpire should wear the ripple or sudden
style sole;
9. Plate umpire needs:
a. ball and strike indicator,
b. small whisk broom,
c. protective supporter and cup,
d. properly regulated watch,
e. chest protector,
f. sturdy mask,
g. shin guards,
h. navy blue or gray ball bag.

I always found 'd' to be misplaced but was told it is there due to lightning and the thirty minute rule. I'm heading to my truck and I have a clock in it that works just fine. Other than that, tourney play requires an official IHSA hat which is not mentioned in the regular season protocol.

Interesting. The Certified IHSA State Clinician at the certified pre-season clinic I attended the year FED changed the language said "any color as long as you match your partner". I've always taken that as "gospel".

I actually have seen a black umpire shirt with an IHSA patch on it, and, I assure you, it looks fugly.

Edited to add....

Kind of ironic that the cover of said Officials' Handbook features a picture of a Base Umpire wearing a black hat and black jacket, eh? http://www.ihsa.org/official/SOH10.pdf

Also, I'd never wear a "penis hat" on the dish and don't believe I've ever seen a Navy belt. (WTF???)

JM

It's a really, really dark navy. Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I am not as offended by the patch on any color of shirt as I wear those patches on all kinds of stripes.

Also I do own a couple of hats that look almost black but were blue. I also am not sure this is a baseball umpire. A couple of things makes it look like this is a softball guy, but I could be wrong. I do not know the individual so I cannot say for sure.

Also the color differences are the gospel, but I do not know why it may not be in the handbook. They have put out rulings on the website saying we can wear any color as long as we match. I have not had a conversation with Craig about this, but I did have a conversation with Dave and that was allowed. I almost wore a plate coat in my plate game at the State Finals and I had both blue and black and I was going to wear the black until some last minute changes in the weather.

Peace

JM - The hat on the cover is is dark blue. I have one and it is that Chicago Bears 'blue-ack'. I don't know the person pictured but he looks to be a softball official. That style jacket is seen on the small diamond.

The clinician was repeating what Dave conceded. Craig has adopted a different strategy and may change his mind. Until then, the policy is as clear as any baseball rule and as resolute. Don't shoot the messenger.

Jeff - If the color things are gospel why did Craig issue a statement declaring otherwise? Dave is no longer in charge. I spoke to Craig about this issue and he is sticking to the handbook policy, as evidenced by the posting on the Official's site.

Putting the IHSA patch on a baseball shirt that isn't navy blue is wrong. Period. Other sports are inconsequential.

I know that during the summer season (run by the Illinois High School Coaches Association) they permit the light blue and white with the patch, but that is solely their call and done so with the temperature in mind. If the coach is in shorts, I'm going to stay cool too.

I agree that matching our partners is important and encourage communication prior to game day. It just seems funny how some guys who only carry black shirts and jackets and wear no patches are upset when passed by for playoff assignments. They are excellent umpires but refuse to comply. Whether stubborn, hurt by the economy or otherwise, I would love to see some of them shining during post season. Guys who make a living enforcing rules but refuse to follow them are lost on me.

Mike,

What about the "heather gray" pants and Navy or Gray ball bag provisions?

(Careful, I've got pictures! ;) )

JM

I sit on a committee that is run by Craig and previously Dave. I have not only had this conversation with him, but he came to speak an association meeting that I am a member when he addressed the issue directly. Actually this information was about the post season which was clear to me, but he has said that we can still wear other colors during the regular season. Also when you go to the State Finals these things are often discussed in detail and this was one of the issues. Which is why if you ever see pictures of me and that crew, we wore the darker grey pants before they were listed in the handbook (2009). If you want me to I can find out or you can come to the summer conference and hear things for yourself (people seem to like to hear things from the horse's mouth more than from another representative) and ask him what the policy is instead of taking my word for it. I know Dave is no longer there, but this policy did not live and die with just Dave. Most of these policies are Board decisions and things the IHSA Board agrees is allowed. Just telling you what I know and I am one of those guys that like to ask questions so I do what is right when I work with someone. Also if a Clinician or State Interpreter talked about this, chances are they know what they are talking about in a policy like this.

I agree. And most of the time someone complains as to why they do not make the playoffs the hardest thing for them to do is look in the mirror. I have no need for those guys and get tired of all the complaining.

Peace

Missouri is stuck in 1989 on lots of different things, including uniform requirements. Watching the state championships in person tells me all I need to know about how seriously MSHSAA takes baseball umpiring.

2009 State Finals 1A/2A Umpires

Peace

Be careful of what you wish for.

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff. You didn't black out the N on your shoes? Shame on you!