Would you take the field with this guy?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

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!

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

[Rich]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

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

JM

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

[MikeStrybel]

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.

[UmpJM]

Mike,

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

(Careful, I've got pictures! )

JM

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Mike,

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

(Careful, I've got pictures! )

JM

2009 State Finals 1A/2A Umpires

Peace

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

2009 State Finals 1A/2A Umpires

Peace

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

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Mike,

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

(Careful, I've got pictures! )

JM

We have a separate policy statement regarding which slacks are approved. The charcoal gray slacks will be the mandate soon but are good to go now.

I have a couple grey ball bags and used them in my last Super. When the vendors show up at the IHSA, NCAA or local meetings, I don't see anything but black there. Black was approved for playoffs in IHSA ball, probably because the other colors have limited availability.

I saw the note about white on Jeff's shoes and that is not an issue any longer. From the bigs on down, you will see white on umpire's shoes - usually the bases, but even some plate shoes have the MLB logo in white now. Tourney ball is on TV now and I saw more than a few sporting white on their Reeboks. I prefer all black but wear a 13 so I take what is available and not upcharged for size. The new Reeboks (plate and base) fit the bill this year.

Finals are this week and I know most of the guys working it. We will see white on some shoes, charcoal grey slacks, black ball bags and...navy blue shirts and hats. Hopefully, we will also see some excellent baseball and terrific officiating. I hope IHSA.tv runs it for all to see.

[jicecone]

None of this is as bad as Louisiana. They are going with BLAcK shirts next year. It's way TOO hot to begin with here and some neanderthal picks Black.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

We have a separate policy statement regarding which slacks are approved. The charcoal gray slacks will be the mandate soon but are good to go now.

I have a couple grey ball bags and used them in my last Super. When the vendors show up at the IHSA, NCAA or local meetings, I don't see anything but black there. Black was approved for playoffs in IHSA ball, probably because the other colors have limited availability.

I saw the note about white on Jeff's shoes and that is not an issue any longer. From the bigs on down, you will see white on umpire's shoes - usually the bases, but even some plate shoes have the MLB logo in white now. Tourney ball is on TV now and I saw more than a few sporting white on their Reeboks. I prefer all black but wear a 13 so I take what is available and not upcharged for size. The new Reeboks (plate and base) fit the bill this year.

Actually that was not a problem before I worked that Finals. I knew several guys that wore shoes with white on their shoes before I got there. The only reason I ever tried this was because of what others did. Those happened to be my most comfortable shoes so that is what I wore. I was prepared to mark the white N out.

Peace

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Actually that was not a problem before I worked that Finals. I knew several guys that wore shoes with white on their shoes before I got there. The only reason I ever tried this was because of what others did. Those happened to be my most comfortable shoes so that is what I wore. I was prepared to mark the white N out.

Peace

Many guys followed the lead of MiLB, MLB and NCAA umpires. They blacked out the white on their shoes for years. Some of them looked down on those who had white visible and that is why it was a probem. Now that the pros are sporting them it has been a non issue. I could care less what a guy has on his feet, as long as he is safe and able to get on top of the call.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

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 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.

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

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.

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

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Missouri needs to take a lesson from Illinois.

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.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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.
Peace

Jeff, I am an IHSA clinician. I know what I am talking about.

I spoke directly to Craig about this issue at the beginning of April. The next day, Craig posted the policy I stated above. You cannot get much clearer than that.

If he chooses to issue a different policy next year, so be it. Like the rules, I try not to choose which ones in the past are better than current versions.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Jeff, I am an IHSA clinician. I know what I am talking about.

I spoke directly to Craig about this issue at the beginning of April. The next day, Craig posted the policy I stated above. You cannot get much clearer than that.

If he chooses to issue a different policy next year, so be it. Like the rules, I try not to choose which ones in the past are better than current versions.

I am one too in another sport and he was asked this question at an association meeting. I like to get these things clarified as people often think I have some connection with those I work with. I believe this question was asked of him also in April at an association meeting. I might go to the State Tournament this weekend and I will just ask him or Brad when I see them. Because no one I am aware of changed the policy including him. Now you got me curious why different people have different information. And I believe this issue was covered in the Rules video as well.

Peace