New grey shirts

[BktBallRef]

We were the gray pinstripes in NC.

[zm1283]

I really wish they would let us wear either the stripes or the grey with pinstripes. Give us a choice like baseball.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by zm1283

I really wish they would let us wear either the stripes or the grey with pinstripes. Give us a choice like baseball.

Guys you don't want to go there. I relate some other sport history. Soccer stated with Black as the only approved shirt color. Then they added 1 alternate color. That lasted ~4 years. Then they introduced 3 new colors, with a stripe pattern. Then started adding one new color every 2 or so years. Most recently added 1 more color BUT changed the stripe pattern, making all former shirts out of style. Comparing Basketball to Soccer it you work College and HS in basketball you have to have only 2 shirts 1 with wide side panel, one without. To work both levels of soccer and be properly equipped you must buy 9 different color and pattern combination in short sleeve and 9 in long sleeve.

Trust me you do not want to start this crap in Basketball.

Originally Posted by ref2coach

Guys you don't want to go there. I relate some other sport history. Soccer stated with Black as the only approved shirt color. Then they added 1 alternate color. That lasted ~4 years. Then they introduced 3 new colors, with a stripe pattern. Then started adding one new color every 2 or so years. Most recently added 1 more color BUT changed the stripe pattern, making all former shirts out of style. Comparing Basketball to Soccer it you work College and HS in basketball you have to have only 2 shirts 1 with wide side panel, one without. To work both levels of soccer and be properly equipped you must buy 9 different color and pattern combination in short sleeve and 9 in long sleeve.

Trust me you do not want to start this crap in Basketball.

Well, in HS basketball, we do have a choice of two shirts. The black and white striped ones without the side panels, and the black and white striped ones with the side panels. The officials' manual doesn't ban the side paneled shirt. I don't see a problem with throwing the grey pinstripes in, that only gives us 4 options, all easy to keep up with. Some guys already have the grey ones because they work JUCO ball.

[ref2coach]

Additional colors or patterns are a solution looking for a problem.

Has anyone found a situation in which there is a uniform conflict where the black and white stripe shirt does not provide adequate differentiation between the referee crew and the players? Additional referee uniforms are a style issue. I have been subjected to the ridiculous extent of style vs need in a different sport and am suggesting don't give up the inch if you don't want to eventually pay for the mile.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

Has anyone found a situation in which there is a uniform conflict where the black and white stripe shirt does not provide adequate differentiation between the referee crew and the players?

Yikes! No. I've seen issues in soccer, but never personally in basketball that I can recall. Have you really?

[Texas Aggie]

There was a time in the Big 8 that the refs wore the grey's

Those were an old version of the gray shirts. They were the same double knit poly material as the regular shirts were (at the time) and also had a zipper, but no byron collar. The Big 8, Metro, and Southwest Conferences, among maybe another 2 or three, wore the shirts. The ACC guys wore a different gray shirt (don't know details of material/style, but remember it on TV) that was more like the NBA shirt. This went on for 2 seasons and the NCAA changed the rule to "black and white striped" shirts.

The stripes have never looked good on TV, but maybe now that the lighter gray really can't be worn as a uniform, the NCAA might consider adopting it.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

Well, in HS basketball, we do have a choice of two shirts. The black and white striped ones without the side panels, and the black and white striped ones with the side panels. The officials' manual doesn't ban the side paneled shirt. I don't see a problem with throwing the grey pinstripes in, that only gives us 4 options, all easy to keep up with. Some guys already have the grey ones because they work JUCO ball.

Not everyone has that choice. We can only wear one shirt.

Peace

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

Guys you don't want to go there. I relate some other sport history. Soccer stated with Black as the only approved shirt color. Then they added 1 alternate color. That lasted ~4 years. Then they introduced 3 new colors, with a stripe pattern. Then started adding one new color every 2 or so years. Most recently added 1 more color BUT changed the stripe pattern, making all former shirts out of style. Comparing Basketball to Soccer it you work College and HS in basketball you have to have only 2 shirts 1 with wide side panel, one without. To work both levels of soccer and be properly equipped you must buy 9 different color and pattern combination in short sleeve and 9 in long sleeve.

Trust me you do not want to start this crap in Basketball.

Amen, brother.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

We were the gray pinstripes in NC.

What are you now? :-)