GD vs. Smitty pants
 

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.

I don't know what the old Smittys looked like, but I can tell you the GD pants are excellent. I use them (plate and base pairs) and have been very happy with them--comfortable, easy to clean, and professional-looking.

I wear the Davis pants soley for muddy days, or when I work a little guys game from one knee behind the plate. They're very stout, and take a washing/drying well. That said, they're not very good looking, and don't match other pants.

The Smitty pants look closer to the benchmark (Honig's polywools, if you need to ask). Not quite as robust, but the look better. I don't wear them, but have bought a few pair for other umpires in my crew. For the money, they're not bad.

If your waist size fluctuates, the stretchy waistband in kinda nice, in both these sets of drawers.

And the reason for not wearing polywools is................................?

I find this comment totally without merit. BTW, tell that to the MLB Umps.

No, it's that the other pants don't match the Davis or Honig's.


I can tell you what numerous umpires have said: "They're significantly more expensive and have to be ironed periodically in order to maintain their look."

Um, MLB umpires wear Hardwick pants, which are made by the same folks who make the nearly identical Honig's polywool slacks. They look nothing like the Davis pants.

Honig's has recently lowered the price other premium pants. And yes, they require more maintenance, and are initially more costly to purchase. But the are a very high quality product. Gotta trust me on this one. The polywools by Honig's are the best availible to the public, and are the benchmark from which others are judged.

MLB Umps for years had worn the GD pants and not the Honig's. Hardwick is now the supplier of the pants and plate coats. It's all about $$$ there.

I've seen and worn the Honig's. I don't think they're bad or anything like the old heather gray crappy pants; rather, I found them to be way overpriced and overrated. Definitely not worth almost almost double the price of the GD pants.

I take my expensive umpire pants to the cleaners every week.

Most nonprofessional umpires do not.

Just because I do not work for MiLB or MLB does not make me an "amateur" umpire. The baseball I umpire is at the amateur level, but I don't do it volunteer, I get paid. I've always considered myself "professional," as the first 20 years of umpiring baseball were 6 to 7 days a week, with multiple games on weekends, in an area that plays nearly year-round. I studied umpiring from MiLB and MLB umpires, who were and still are associated with my former group. Plus, I believe in looking as sharp as possible on the field.

For Pete's sake. There's no need to get your panties all in a bunch. Neither you nor I are professional umpires. We may be professionals, but we're nonprofessional umpires. My original comment stands.

I wasn't getting my panties in a bunch. I wouldn't even if I wore them.:rolleyes: I really hate that expression. Having a contrary viewpoint is not getting my "panties in a bunch." I will reword it then: I umpire professionally, but I'm not a professional umpire.

I think freshly dry cleaned pants look nice, have a really sharp crease in them, and are usually good for a couple of games before they go back in. It makes the pants last longer, fade less, and did I mention look really sharp? BTW, I know plenty of 'nonprofessional' umpires who take their pants to the cleaners. I also know quite a few who roll them up, throw them in the trunk, then unroll them for the next game. I would rather belong to the first group.

During the season, working almost every day of the week, I do neither. I can't afford, mainly time-wise, to keep taking my pants to the cleaners. I wash and dry them well, and my pants and rest of my uniform have always looked nice and neat.

Half my polywools (the Hardwicks) go to the dry cleaners, and the other half get hand washed, and line dried (out of the sun, of course). It works for me.

90% of my work is volunteer, but I still like looking sharp.

There's a $21 difference between the Davis and the Honig's. If you don't see the difference, or advantage between the two, you've just saved yourself a double sawbuck. Congrats!

Most umpires I know think the off-colored, polyester Davis pants don't look good, have about seven extra belt loops in the back, have the feel of a leasure suit, and match no other maker.

I know other fellows that swear by their near black Official's Choice pants, and think they match other pants. I also know guys who buy their suits at Sears. Viva le difference!

I've found I have no such bunching or twisting with a thong. Just sayin'.

If one also likes the look of the extra stitching in the @ss that the Honig's pants provides, I say go for it. Nothing looks gawdier than seeing your plate guy's @ss have an extra line of stitches wrap around the outline of his butt.

Hmmm mm. :)

Maybe a professional who umpires?

Trying to get your back here steve!

Lol

Wore the Honigs brand for one season, had to replace them the next because they faded and looked purple.

Had GD for three seasons now, still grey and fit great. Worth every penny!

Love the patent leather plate shoes too, get compliments all the time when I walk on the field.

BTW...Never had to take them to the cleaners. Wash 'em in cold water, med then high heat, wrinkle free.

I loved the GD plate shoes, save for one main reason I gave them up--they were SO darn heavy. I've worn the Reebok's for the last few years and love them. IMHO, I don't believe anyone could beat the look of the GD plate shoes. I just wish they weren't so darn heavy, made even worse when you worked a game in sloppy conditions, where the dirt coagulated on the bottom of your plate shoes, making you feel like you were wearing cinder blocks on your feet.

Agree 100%

But I look good!:cool:

That's half the battle.

Of course, those old enough here will remember this question: Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up? ;)

I put eye black on them:eek:

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.

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.

Maybe you just didn't look as good as me! I have had several instances where I was complimented on my appearance. That could be due from others who, have their pants rolled up in their trunk and shoes look like they wore them in a rodeo.

And believe me, my appearance matches my abilities!

30 years ago, you couldn't even see your shoes with that balloon in front of you:)

There are some umpires who can't see their shoes using an inside protector! :p

I don't believe you.

And I care because...?

I can tell the type of person you are just by your responses. You cut what I said and commented on the part you felt is lacking in your own game. Where I'm from we call people like that haters.

Kinda like if we were talking about a strike zone and I quote you by saying, I'm continually amused by how important northern umpires find one...

I was giving credit to the GD plate shoes. I understand though, you never got a compliment even though you thought you looked like you walked out of a catalog, so you try and criticize my game.

If you look good, you play good!

And what is the comment "nobody who plays or coaches gives a damn about that"?

Gained weight over the years have ya?
:D

I don't know. You're the one that said I should, so you inferred that you cared at some level.

No, you can't. You just think you can.

Yes, I have.

And I couldn't care less if nobody comments on my appearance. All the compliments I receive are about my performance. That's what matters.

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.:)

I don't wanna argue with ya!

I said I get compliments on the shoes. And they know they can't walk in them!;)

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.

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.

Hi Ho Silver, AWAYYYYYYYYY!!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Make it honey wheat bread, please. More healthful.

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.

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....

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

Reebok Referee and Umpire Shoes: Ump Attire

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.

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.

Umpires and assignors.

Well not made by Honig's but they distribute them along with the rest of the MLB umpire's gear.

If you have centralized assignors, maybe. That's a big maybe. Trust me, none of mine care about crap like this.

Next thing people will carry different brands of shoes so all the base umpires match...

And at some levels, Game Observers/Evaluators.

In our college association, you and your partner will both be gigged on an evaluation if you don't match.

It's kind of a small price really for only 6 pairs of pants.

I believe you, just find it hard to believe your college assignor doesn't require you and your partners to match. That would never happen here. Ever.

Never mentioned here. Seriously. I wear GD pants for every single game. So do 90% of my partners, so maybe they are the de facto pants around here. I do have some other pants I got for working some other tournaments (one Smitty, one Honig's non-polywool) and I find none of them to be as comfortable as the Davis pants.

That said, if the college conferences I work for did require a "conference pant" I would buy them just as I already buy the conference hats we wear.

And I often don't know they are watching.

I think that the manufacturers should have a standardized color so that they all match up, regardless of brand. Charcoal gray should be charcoal gray, heather should be heather, etc. We should not have to choose between brands based on color alone, but rather on the quality and overall look of the pant.

HA! The Official's Choice has a business model of NOT matching other's colors, so you'd be obliged to buy their gear down the line. Off color, mismatched $10 shirts flood the marked, then BOOM, their prices go up so they can make a profit.

Honestly, it's working in some areas. So what do I know?

Didn't work for those near black pants, though.

I was referring to pants only. And it was just wishful thinking at that. Places like Officials Choice and most other places are a joke. There are only a few good gear places on the Internet. Places like Smiteez and OC are horribly designed and poorly stocked, and carry a lot of useless, substandard products.

Ump-Attire, Honig's, and GD at least have a fairly professional look to them, and carry the most popular products. Most shops' offerings are woefully limited. I would love to own a gear place, as it would only carry the best and most sought after stuff, and all you gear junkies would be buying from me.;)

I was forced to wear Honig's (non-Polywool) pants last season for a tournament -- those pants were provided for me. The pants were about as poor quality as I have ever worn. Thin material, odd fitting, didn't look good to me at all. Disgusting to me that they put all their time, effort, and care into the polywools, which to me are too expensive and too high maintenance.

I know I'm in a minority, but my pants get washed after just about every wearing. Plate pants especially -- they get dusty, sweaty, dirty and I don't really like the idea of wearing them twice without a washing. I don't feel like I could accomplish that with pants marked "dry clean only" even if there is a way to wash them (which I hear there is). Davis pants hold up wash after wash, even if they *do* look like umpire Dickeys.

The polywools are superior to any other pants I have worn. I have had Smitty pants and the charcoal Honigs polyester pants (non-PW), and the polywools are better in every way. More durable, hold their color longer, fit better, hang better, etc.

I don't understand why people think the polywools are so expensive. Regular polyester pants (Davis, Smitty, etc) are about $50. You can get polywools for about $65 now. For the quality and how long they last (I have a set of plate and base pants on their fourth year), it is well worth the extra $15 or so.

It has nothing to do with Honigs either. I get my stuff from whichever place has the best price and whether they have it in stock or not. The Ump Attire polywools are just as good, so get them from there if you don't care for Honigs.

BS. I did get both plate and base ones. As I already knew, they wrinkle way too easily and require too much maintenance. Worse, my plate pants belt loops are misplaced, causing my right ball bag to be too far forward and not in sync with my left one. Because the pants are hemmed, Honig's won't do anything to help. They tell me I have to take them to a tailor and pay to have the belt loops repositioned.

Garbage. Give me my GD plate pants any day!

Yeah, we evaluators are sneaky like that, aren't we?

It's a good day if the evaluator only cares about the brand of pants I'm wearing.

+1

Honig's polywools. 1 pair for the plate, 1 pair for the bases. I do about 75 college games a year, and throw the pants in the washer and dryer after nearly every game. They'll last me 3 years before I replace them (that's how long the last ones lasted). That's good enough for me....and my assignor...and the evaluators.....and my partners.....

JJ

You forgot the umpire groupies, John.

;)

Hate to drop this on you, but our association demands that our umpires dress in uniform as if in the military. That means we match each other when going on the field. Not only should they match but the uniforms must be neat, shirts tucked in at all times, no worn out ball bags or belts. If the crew doesn't match, both umpires are noted and if necessary, dealt with by the powers above. Just as the players and coaches wear identical uniforms, the umpire crew should take pride and do the same.

And as far as the brand of pants, our association decreed that we use GD charcoal, exclusively due to the mismatch of color across the other distributors. We have close to 60% college umpires who all have to have the GD brand, so we decided to go with the NCAA.

I want to come work in your association. That would give me an excuse to buy all new stuff that my wife couldn't argue with!

Drop all you want, I don't work in your area. I get all the college assignments I want and I own one brand of pants, the GD. Sometimes we match, sometimes we don't. I'm not buying other pants just so we can look like twins.

Do you require umpires wear the same shoes? Same brand shirts?

If that's good enough for you, John, that's certainly good enough for anyone else here. Or should be.

All of the college umpires in your area wear Davis pants? Do none of them wear polywools?