Pants: Sansabelt vs. Smitty

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Because it looks more professional.

That is an opinion, not a fact, but apparently an opinion that is widely held.
So make it a part of the requirement.
I believe what we have says: Pants shall be black. A belt, if worn shall be black. That's it.
If the scheme of things actually is "Wear a belt if you want, but others will get more/better games," I think that is a bad policy.

Wearing a belt suggests you just went around to your local Wal-Mart and picked up a pair of pants.

I think they have beltless pants at Wal-Mart.

The same as it looks silly as a football and baseball umpire to not buy at hat that fits and use and adjustable hat.

How close does one have to get to even tell whether you have on a fitted cap, let alone notice, let alone care.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by just another ref

How close does one have to get to even tell whether you have on a fitted cap, let alone notice, let alone care.

As someone who works football and baseball, I'll say this: If I see an baseball umpire or a football official with an adjustable hat, it's fairly safe to say I won't be getting a top notch official in that game. There will be exceptions to prove the rule, sure. But for the most part....

And with FlexFit hats quite prevalent these days, it's not that hard to get a hat that *looks* like a fitted hat even if it technically isn't.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

That is an opinion, not a fact, but apparently an opinion that is widely held.
So make it a part of the requirement.
I believe what we have says: Pants shall be black. A belt, if worn shall be black. That's it.
If the scheme of things actually is "Wear a belt if you want, but others will get more/better games," I think that is a bad policy.

Well it is a fact that people will make judgments about you and anyone based on their appearance and what you wear. It applies to a guy trying to get a date a woman or a person going to a job interview. I am not going to try to impress a woman by looking like a slop on a date and I am not going to go to a job interview in blue jeans and tennis shoes. And I am certainly not going to work a basketball game with belted pants when everyone else is not wearing them.

Originally Posted by just another ref

I think they have beltless pants at Wal-Mart.

I am sure they do. But I doubt they sell the brand that most officials use or you can buy at Honigs, Gerry Davis Sports or any number of officiating outlets sell. Just like I would not buy a officiating shirt from Wal-Mart, Target or some named sporting good store, I would not buy pants from them either.

Originally Posted by just another ref

How close does one have to get to even tell whether you have on a fitted cap, let alone notice, let alone care.

Actually they do care and they do not have to be close. They can look at your uniform. Just like people can tell someone has sweats on instead of the black pants sold at the places I mentioned for football. Just like I could tell an official was wearing black jeans and not officiating pants years ago. And yes it was reflected in his officiating (surprise!!!!! ).

Peace