Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve (Post 841438)

I tend to agree with what you're saying, but in all fairness to us old timers, we did have inside chest protectors. Plus the NL always has worn inside protectors.:)

Originally Posted by thumpferee (Post 841442)

Did the batters wear helmets back then?:)

Hey, I'm no spring chicken either!

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve (Post 841443)

Hell, they didn't even have cars back then. I had to get to all my games on horseback.

Originally Posted by kylejt (Post 841465)

Fellas, wear what you want. I could not care less.

Some guys like wearing combo pants behind the plate.

Others wear long sleeved shirts under their short sleeved jerseys.

Some wear their hats backwards. Still others wear Gerry Davis pants.

This is America, do what you want, and feel free to have an opinion on it.

Me, I'm unconventional with wearing a long sleeved jersey on the bases. I think it looks good. I know it feels good. And you won't catch me in one of those short sleeved smocks the MLB guys wear.

The benchmark I'm referring to is MLB, MILB and NCAA. You'll find the Honig's pants in all three. They're a quality garment. If you can find some Hardwick drawers, they're even a tick better.

Originally Posted by midtnblu (Post 841011)

Looking to buy some new plate pants....currently own Smitty plate and base pants.

The GD pants (referencing pictures on his web site) look like older style of Smitty's before Smitty went to the thick non-roll waistband.

Do the GD's still look like the web picture or have they upgraded the waistband like Smitty?

If you know the differences in these two brands, let me know?

Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by GROUPthink (Post 841500)

You act as though MLB chose Honig's for quality reasons. That's laughable.

Originally Posted by UMP25 (Post 841419)

You are not alone in this opinion. I know a lot of umpires, including several of my D1, D2, and D3 peers, who hold the same opinion. Of course, I also know some umpires who swear the poly wools are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve (Post 841440)

I love my Reebok's. Been wearing them since 2009. Like wearing comfortable base shoes only with a steel toe and metatarsal protection. I wouldn't want any other brand.

Originally Posted by Forest Ump (Post 841514)

So, getting back to the original post.

Here's what I do.

Polywools for JC and Varsity games unless partner is wearing Smittys
Smittys for JV games unless partner is wearing Polywool
GD's for Frosh, Pony, Very dirty fields, Bad weather.

Logic:
GD's are four years old, still look good but have a little fraying at the bottoms.
Smittys or Poly's are both good pants. Poly's require more maintenance.
Honig's had a black friday sale last year and sold Poly's for $55 a pair.
I also bought Smittys this year.
I dry clean anything that needs it once a month. This keeps the crease looking great.

Originally Posted by jwwashburn (Post 841537)

I have never tried the Reebok. They do not sell them at the Reebok Stores, do they? Do you order them?

I have weird feet...have to try shoes on-mail order(that makes me sound old) usually does not work for me.

Originally Posted by Publius (Post 841418)

In nearly 30 years of umpiring, I have appeared on the field looking like I walked out of a catalog, looking disheveled after doing 12 games in three days, and levels of dapperness in between.

I have never--not once--had anybody comment on my appearance, ever. Nobody who plays or coaches gives a damn about that, or anything except the quality of your calls. And if those go against them, they don't even care about that.

Polywools are nice pants, but they're a poor value. They are by no means the benchmark against which all others are measured. I don't even consider them. They're overpriced and offer nothing to justify the additional dollars.

Of course, that's true of just about everything Dick sells. I'm continually amused by how important northern umpires find one- or two-day delivery of orders in December. That's Honigs' biggest selling point.