If you could change one thing about Equipment/Uniform...

[GFD406]

I like the pants also, I am getting ready to go referee a semi-pro game and it is 37 degrees and getting colder.

[SWFLguy]

The pants should be an option. As we get used to seeing them
on Sundays, they may become acceptible in some form. They would
probably have to come in a different look so as to not infringe on
any NFL copyrights. I still use an Acme pea whistle !
A "C" on captain's shirts isn't practical as many team captains
change game after game. Same for the letters on the back of
official's shirts--many guys change positions.

[IceGator8]

The black pants grew on me too. I have thunder thighs so I'd love these in any weather. Knickers are just too tight on me.

[Theisey]

For those favoring black color bottoms, are you talking wearing them all the time?
I'd hate to have to wear black in late August and even in September. (No, we do not wear shorts).

I gotta feeling that the NFL has a lock on that style of uniform anyway, meaning it might not be permitted to filter down to the NCAA or NFHS levels without some big buck$ being made by someone and that wouldn't be the officials.

I would like to see a better sock. One easier to clean and one that looks the same on all officials. Some have so much white showing it's hard to tell if there are any stripes at all.

Careful with asking for position plackets. You'll either have to buy a lot of shirts or find a way to move the PP around based on weather conditions or worse yet if you work multiple positions on different days.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by Theisey

Careful with asking for position plackets. You'll either have to buy a lot of shirts or find a way to move the PP around based on weather conditions or worse yet if you work multiple positions on different days.

I don't really have an opinion either way on position plackets. However, I know that Honig's sells Velcro that you can sew on to the placket and the shirt.

[Texas Aggie]

Honestly, I've never understood the reasoning behind position plackets on the back. If they want to put it on the front shirt pocket so a coach can know he's yelling at the right guy [/wink], then that's fine. But for the most part, the only people that really care which side the HL/LJ is on or how the defensive backfield is configured already know who goes where.

[JMN]

Why doesn't NASO or someone make it mandatory to sew a US flag on all uniforms? Think it would be a great move, and I know many already have it on their shirts.

[Theisey]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

I don't really have an opinion either way on position plackets. However, I know that Honig's sells Velcro that you can sew on to the placket and the shirt.

While velcro works, the few ties I've seen it used the placket looked bunched up and in my opinion looked like crap.
Double stick carpet tape actually worked better then velcro.

I do have an opinion on NFHS officials wearing plackets, and that would be I would not want to see it as a requirement.

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by IceGator8

The black pants grew on me too. I have thunder thighs so I'd love these in any weather. Knickers are just too tight on me.

great post...I completely agree, I am in the same predicament, I guess I could just drop 30 pounds though

[IceGator8]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

great post...I completely agree, I am in the same predicament, I guess I could just drop 30 pounds though

Aside from playing sports as a kid I was also a BMX racer. I used to ride my single speek BMX bikes ridiculous mileages every day. It was during those years that my thigh's grew huge. With that said I could stand to drop 30. lol

I think if pants became part of the uniform you could vary the construction material depending on the season. The pant for the warmer games could be a really lightweight material that doesn't get hot. The pant for the cold games could be fleece lined and waterproof. I just want a little room to layer underneath. For me layering with knickers just isn't an option.

[stevestod]

In Vermont we would love to have a shirt that would be waterproof and warm. Knickers should be the same although I would be in favor of the black pants like in the NFL; I threw away two white pair from last year because they would get clean any more. We play in mud up here.

[SWFLguy]

The more I think about it; I'd say changes will probably
be coming soon as a result of the new NFL gear !!

[Rick KY]

I'd like to see changes in the fabric used to make the uniforms. I'd really like to have the moisture wicking fabric and insulated fabric such as Reebok's Play Dry or Play Warm. Nike and UA also make similar fabrics.

I'd also allow wearing of heavier jackets or pullovers (NFL style) for very cold weather.

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by IceGator8

Aside from playing sports as a kid I was also a BMX racer. I used to ride my single speek BMX bikes ridiculous mileages every day. It was during those years that my thigh's grew huge. With that said I could stand to drop 30. lol

Ha! Sounds familiar - I never was involved in competitive racing, but I rode a series of old 20-inch BMX bikes EVERYWHERE. (Including, by the way, to my first officiating gigs as an umpire at the local Little League.) Stop riding when I got to college, but then I took up fencing, so I'm in exactly the same boat as you (extra 30 pounds and all).

[IceGator8]

Originally Posted by The Roamin' Umpire

Ha! Sounds familiar - I never was involved in competitive racing, but I rode a series of old 20-inch BMX bikes EVERYWHERE. (Including, by the way, to my first officiating gigs as an umpire at the local Little League.) Stop riding when I got to college, but then I took up fencing, so I'm in exactly the same boat as you (extra 30 pounds and all).

I vote all former BMX'ers (racers or just kids who lived on their BMX bikes) are all given amnesty from wearing knickers because we tend to have huge legs and usually get fat after we quit riding. lol