In attending my first Officials camps this summer, what kinds of black shorts and brands are out there? Most camps require a black short of some type but othere than the good old "polyester" umpire shorts anybody have any other ideas? Thanks
P.S. Its sad to see the Basketball season coming to a close, as Im not a big baseball fan.

I've got three different pairs of black shorts, from two different manufacturers, made of three different kinds of fabric. All have been acceptable at camps ranging from local HS camps to bigger camps given by D1 guys.

While I have suspected that my choice of shorts is the reason I'm not working D1 yet, the evaluators keep giving me this line about not enough experience/ability/knowledge/presence/fitness/etc. I wish they'd just own up to it and tell me it's the shorts! ;)

If you wear the coaches shorts take a picture and send it to me!

Check Honing's under the football uniforms. They have the black shorts there. Or, buy the pants they sell to wrestling refs, cut part of the legs off, make shorts out of them, and then use the unused fabric to make belt loops on coaches shorts. If you want to go beltless, be sure the coaches shorts are tight, otherwise they slip like crazy.

Are you serious?

I have been to several DI camps and most officials wear black mesh gym shorts like Nike ect.

I hope you take some pants as backups. Most camps I attend require Pants.

I really want to know if he is serious about the coaches shorts. This is 2004! Do not go to a camp and wear those tight shorts. Nike mesh/basketball shorts. Not too long, NOT too short. If anything lean towards long.

I want to know if that guy is serious about wearing coache's shorts.

Well, I've seen some guys wear the coaches pants. I only wear the coaches pants when I work some tournaments during the summer. I haven't been scolded for doing so yet. Matter of fact, I've had some vets compliment me on my shorts and sneer at the younger guys who prefer the Nike mesh shorts or similar. The vets who have this reaction say that wearing the mesh shorts put us on the same level as the kids, which is what we're supposed to avoid. I'm just listening to some of the vets I've worked with.

don't go overboard
 

I agree, Just a good mesh short. Summer can get hot and comfort is important when running off and on all day long.

tomegun, not to criticize you, but what would you say to a camp director who says no mesh shorts? You going to say the same thing you just said to me? If I were going to a camp, I'd probably take a pair or 2 of the mesh shorts, as well as my trusty "coaches" shorts, just in case the camp director has a temperment for the older stuff.

Footlocker, Champs or even Sportmart.
 

You can go to any sporting good store and pick up a pair of all black shorts. Get them a little baggy and a little long. And whatever you do, wear white socks not black. Do that last one for your sake. :D

Peace

First of all in all my years I've never heard of specifying which type of shorts to wear. I guess if someone told me to wear those tight ___ coaches shorts that would be one mark against me. If you would wear those to the camps I've attended that allow shorts in the past 5 years someone would be telling you to get some different shorts. I don't think you are being critical of me but most campers and camp directors have changed with the times. Remember when the majority of officials wore runnin refs? Now the shoes aren't even all black (an air bubble, a little white, a little gray). I don't want to start a big thing but do you still wear a belt? Do you still wear runnin refs? I'm not concerned with being on the same level with the kids because I will be on the court with a black and white shirt and my whistle. We are basketball refs so what is wrong with wearing basketball shorts? If you've noticed guys wear basketball shoes now too.

I'm mostly joking about this but I wouldn't mind a picture if you are really going to wear those shorts!

Even the camps that 'allow' shorts, I think you will look more professional in the pants. Of course, if EVERYBODY is wearing shorts you don't want to be a sore thumb either, but if there is some of each go with the pants.

No, I wouldn't wear coaches shorts, since I still have nightmares from high school and watching my coach back then wear the damn things. It wasn't always a pretty sight, especially when he didn't have time to tan his legs before 3-a-days in August. (shuddering). I prefer the shorts I was able to create from the wrestling refs pants, since I put a little extra length in them. These shorts are great for doing scrub games in football, so I don't have to buy extra clothes for each sport, so on on on and on.

I recommend that you take a nice pair of black jeans and just cut off the pant sleeves to an acceptable length. This way they are tailored to your preference.

You got pants with legs <b>and</b> sleaves? Sure you're not wearing long underwear? :D

jrut, why not black socks w/ shorts???

Re: Footlocker, Champs or even Sportmart.
 

Yeah, and make sure your white socks are knee high!
Some of the kids now days thinks that's really "sick"! ;)

with a pair of canvas chuck taylors

Because they make you look like you're a tourist.

Picture grandpa wearing dress socks with tennis shoes, or worse...loafers, with shorts. Total mismatch. Now all you need is the tropical shirt and sunglasses to finish the package.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!! ankle black socks!!!!

Contrary to some people's beliefs, you are supposed to wear white socks with shorts. Asking about this is like asking why don't we wear white socks with pants. Sometimes you just have to go with the majority if you don't know.

I second that :)

jr (junior) was you saying no ankle black socks or no (I'm talking about) ankle black socks?

You should change your name. We have JRut(ledge) and Jurrasic Referree (JR) You are just going to confuse things :)

thanks for the laughs
 

I have a lot going on right now and this post has just made my day. Thanks for the laughs, my gut is hurting so much right now - I think I woke up the kids laughing so loud.

This is just way too funny!!!:D

listen...

if you are going to wear shorts at a camp and wear black referee shoes, you will look like a dope with ANY type of white socks on...

get black ankle-length athletic socks (adidas)...they look alot better and you will be up-to-date...

How long have you been officiating? If you go to a camp with any number of officials and you wear black socks you will be the one looking like a dope! The normal thing we do is wear white socks with shorts. Have you been to a camp where the majority of officials are wearing black socks? If so, what part of the country to you live in?

Pants - black socks
Shorts - white socks

Speedos - one black, one white :D

I hear that at the FEEBLE camps, they don't even wear socks. Or underwear!!! :eek:

I knew your voice was a little high for a man! What are you doing up?

What you really need to do, is ask the camp director or registrar what they prefer. If they don't care, ask around with other attenders. It depends SO MUCH on your locale and the personalities involved.

My personal preference is a split skirt with a flat waistband and pleated front panel, just above knee length. Not too many people on this board gonna get away with that one! But no one's ever complained to me!

Juulie - you been a'goin' over and reffin that-there lacrosse?

My personal preference is a split skirt with a flat waistband and pleated front panel, just above knee length.

[/B][/QUOTE]I wear mine just below knee length. Don't want to appear desperate.

But do you wear fishnets with shorts, or is that only with long pants?

With the skirt, do you wear black heels or white ones?

As for socks, go for the nike sock that just comes to the ankle not over it.

And with the skirt, do you wear a scarf?

Speaking of the improvement in bball gear over the years....it's no wonder players can sky so high. Just fantasizing about what former NBA players like Connie Hawkins and Johnny Green (6'5" player who could pluck quarters off the top of the backboard and once stuffed Wilt Chamberlain)could have done in their day if they had the "rocket launchers" they call sneaks today.

And looking for some feedback from the group on why bball officials are still wearing long pants? Game is indoors - wear long pants; lacrosse, soccer, football - game is outdoors - wear shorts. Where is the logic?


"The trouble with the world today is that there is too much apathy - but then, WHO CARES" - Me

Saw both of them live back in the day. Jumpin' Johnny Green. He could pluck a quarter, but then he'd probably drop it. Just had terrible hands and couldn't shoot worth a damn. As for Connie Hawkins, it's just a damn shame that he never got to the NBA until he was way past his prime. Just a great, great player- one of the all-time greats imo. Huge hands and amazing hops. Played with the Trotters for years. He was Dr. J and Michael before anyone even thought of them.

I see you know them well. I actually saw Hawkins play (in person) when he was in his prime. He played in charity game in NYC with NBA stars at the time. "Hawk" didn't get to the game until halftime. He wore these sneaks that had "The Hawk" emblazoned on the back of them. He scored 50 points in that half. Greatest individual performance I have ever seen (and these eyes have seen a lot).