Umpire Uniforms

[GetItRight]

There is some talk in Florida about the FHSAA making it a requirement that officials buy uniforms from Honigs and no where else to make everyone match in color and style. The word that I got, is that officials will be forced to wear the poly-wool pant, $70, and they can not be washed, they must be drycleaned.

Keep in mind, Florida officials have not seen a game fee increase in 7 years. The mileage/travel fee does not even match the federal rate per mile. Any thoughts from Florida officials? Many I have talked to said that if they are forced into this specific pair of pants they will quit due to the high cost per pair of pants along with the requirement for dry cleaning driving costs to the point that umpire will have to pay to call ball rather than be paid to call ball.

[Tim C]

All you need is some cheese.

T

[JJ]

I've worn poly-wools from Honig's for years and I machine wash and tumble dry them every time I wear them, and they hold up just fine. Just my 2 cents.

JJ

[MD Longhorn]

Here's your change...

[Publius]

The high school state association where I live "requires" blue shirts only, and all-black shoes. I ignore them both, and work 30 dates in an eight-week season.

They can require whatever they want in a uniform, but compliance is voluntary. You're an independent contractor. They can exclude you from the state tournament, but they can't keep you from working.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Publius

The high school state association where I live "requires" blue shirts only, and all-black shoes. I ignore them both, and work 30 dates in an eight-week season.

They can require whatever they want in a uniform, but compliance is voluntary. You're an independent contractor. They can exclude you from the state tournament, but they can't keep you from working.

Publius:

I don't know where you live, BUT, you may be an independent contractor, but if your StateHSAA has a required uniform I would advise you to wear it. The OhioHSAA can fine an official up to $100 for not wearing the correct uniform, i.e., wearing a powder blue or red shirt to umpire a baseball or fastpitch softball game, or wearing the gray with black pinstripe shirts for a basketball game (and I really do prefer the gray shirts over the zebra shirts myself). Meaning, that they can keep you from officiating.

MTD, Sr.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by GetItRight

There is some talk in Florida about the FHSAA making it a requirement that officials buy uniforms from Honigs and no where else to make everyone match in color and style. The word that I got, is that officials will be forced to wear the poly-wool pant, $70, and they can not be washed, they must be drycleaned.

Keep in mind, Florida officials have not seen a game fee increase in 7 years. The mileage/travel fee does not even match the federal rate per mile. Any thoughts from Florida officials? Many I have talked to said that if they are forced into this specific pair of pants they will quit due to the high cost per pair of pants along with the requirement for dry cleaning driving costs to the point that umpire will have to pay to call ball rather than be paid to call ball.

incorrect I wash my polywools all the time.. use cold water, and hang dry them.. done easy.. how do you think MiLB guys do it while on the road?

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by GetItRight

There is some talk in Florida about the FHSAA making it a requirement that officials buy uniforms from Honigs and no where else to make everyone match in color and style. The word that I got, is that officials will be forced to wear the poly-wool pant, $70, and they can not be washed, they must be drycleaned.

Keep in mind, Florida officials have not seen a game fee increase in 7 years. The mileage/travel fee does not even match the federal rate per mile. Any thoughts from Florida officials? Many I have talked to said that if they are forced into this specific pair of pants they will quit due to the high cost per pair of pants along with the requirement for dry cleaning driving costs to the point that umpire will have to pay to call ball rather than be paid to call ball.

You don't like it don't work for FHSAA. We didn't have this problem with heathergray did we? FYI I dry clean my poly wools depending upon conditions you can go pretty far between dry cleanings so to speak.

[scarolinablue]

I realize this thread is mainly about a uniform being dictated by the state association, but the OP is also complaining about the cost of the slacks.

Why not just look at it this way...the pants are part of your uniform, which includes a mask (HS level and up you've likely spent at least $75 or more), plate shoes (again, at higher levels, $75 or more), a chest protector ($125 on up for anything of decent quality), and so forth. So, you want to gripe about $70 pants instead of a $40 pair? C'mon man...