GD vs. Smitty pants

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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.

Did the batters wear helmets back then?

Hey, I'm no spring chicken either!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Did the batters wear helmets back then?

Hey, I'm no spring chicken either!

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

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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

Hi Ho Silver, AWAYYYYYYYYY!!

[kylejt]

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 polywool pants in all three. They're a quality garment. If you can find some Hardwick drawers, they're even a tick better.

[Steven Tyler]

I purchased uniforms for a local vendor close to my home. He carried the Dalco brand. Everything I bought was top of the line, IMO. The Dalco pants were a thinner material, and much cooler for our warm climate. They washed easy, and held their creases for a long time.

David shinguards were the best I ever wore.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kylejt

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.

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

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by midtnblu

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.

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.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

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

Aside from getting them directly from Hardwick, is there a better quality pair of pants than the Honig's polywool? I think not, and I think I've tried them all.

And, MLB pants don't come from Honig's.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by UMP25

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.

I'll see ya in a few weeks with my polywools on, and I'll even bring sliced bread to compare them to.

[UMP25]

Make it honey wheat bread, please. More healthful.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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.

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.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

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.

HUH? Get a life, rook.... LOL

Personally, after my first season here in the great northwest, I would like to find some pants that are built around a wet suit. Also, with integrated leg warmers...yeh...thats it....

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

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.

They have D and 4E widths available in a big range of sizes. I wear 14D myself.

Reebok Referee and Umpire Shoes: Ump Attire

[etn_ump]

Originally Posted by Publius

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.

1. 12 games in 3 days? That's insane.
2. If you look good, you probably didn't get comments. However, if you look like crap, you probably would.
3. I own Polys, GD and Smitty's. I dress to match my partner.
4. I don't live in the north, so I can't really comment.

[Rich]

I work college and HS varsity and I own one brand of pants. Davis. Owning multiple brand of pants to match a partner, to me, is overkill. Only umpires notice stuff like this.