I'm tired of big, stupid linebackers...

[BktBallRef]

...stepping on my feet. It's not enough that they just step on them, they have to turn and twist as well. AAAARGH!!!!!!!!

Have any other umpires out there tried a steel toed or plate shoe that worked? I'm open for suggesstions!

[JugglingReferee]

I guess humour is not allowed anymore?

On topic: I have never heard of an umpire wear anything other than normal cleats.

[Rick KY]

I have likewise had my feet stepped on, but it is usually by D-lineman, not backers. Once when it happened I was backing up to avoid being part of the play when my foot got pinned to the ground, causing me to fall backwards. I have not tried the plate or steel toe shoe yet.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I guess humour is not allowed anymore?

On topic: I have never heard of an umpire wear anything other than normal cleats.

Nope, Humor is fine. But all too often, once the jokes start, they don't stop, the thread goes off topic and you never get any substance. IOW, I need information, not jokes.

Originally Posted by Rick KY

I have likewise had my feet stepped on, but it is usually by D-lineman, not backers. Once when it happened I was backing up to avoid being part of the play when my foot got pinned to the ground, causing me to fall backwards. I have not tried the plate or steel toe shoe yet.

D-linemen or L-backers, it's still painful. And yes, the only time I've gone down is when my foot was pinned to the ground, as opposed to being run over.

I've been triying to find one with some cleat to it, as opposed to a smoother botton. My toes got stepped on twice last season, so I'm really more interested in a steel toe. I don't think the metatersal protector is needed as much. I'm looking for a new pair of shoes, so why not kill two birds...?

[Warrenkicker]

I seem to remember seeing an NFL umpire on the cover of Referee magazine a few years ago who was wearing some sort of plate shoes. They might have had steel toes as well. Looks like November 2002.

Otherwise I just stay away from the middle of the field.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

...stepping on my feet. It's not enough that they just step on them, they have to turn and twist as well. AAAARGH!!!!!!!!

Have any other umpires out there tried a steel toed or plate shoe that worked? I'm open for suggesstions!

Playing rugby I wore shoes called Vultures that had the area above the toes reinforced, stiff though not with metal, against being stepped on by cleats.

[SWFLguy]

I must lead a charmed life (going into my 38th season of high school ball)
cannot remember being stepped on. I've been kicked a few times, got knocked on my can a couple times, and once was smacked in the face when I followed an excited player too closely when he suddenly swung his
arms out in jubilation.
Then again, maybe I'm good at what I do !
(-:

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

Then again, maybe I'm good at what I do !
(-:

Maybe your feet are smaller than mine!

I guess I should position myself 10 yards off the ball like others do.

Like I said, it doesn't happen often, two, three times a season. But the first one I got last year turned my big toenail blue and took 9 months to grow out. It was a constant reminder.

I guess I'll go to the Baseball board. Maybe those guys will know.

[HLin NC]

Problem is Ref, I don't think a plate umpires shoe would work real well. I can see it really cutting into your mobility and I don't think they have much of a cleated sole from what I can recall.

You might try a police supply like Gall's. Won't be cleated but might find something with an "agressive sole".

Hey check these out:
http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...SP773&cat=2807

[IceGator8]

I use them for baseball and can move around pretty good. I'd wager football umpire could move around easy enough in them. I use the regular version (350) of the same shoe for football. The tread pattern works well in slippery conditions.

Honigs has the shoe:

http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=10&Item=1057

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by IceGator8

I use them for baseball and can move around pretty good. I'd wager football umpire could move around easy enough in them. I use the regular version (350) of the same shoe for football. The tread pattern works well in slippery conditions.

Honigs has the shoe:

http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=10&Item=1057

Gator, do you where the flap in football?

[JasonTX]

I tried working a 7th grade game at Umpire once. The heck with steel toe shoes. I needed full playing equipment. Busted elbow and scraped shin. That's the last time I worked Umpire and will never try that again.

[Rick KY]

No Snickers for you JasonTX!!

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

I tried working a 7th grade game at Umpire once. The heck with steel toe shoes. I needed full playing equipment. Busted elbow and scraped shin. That's the last time I worked Umpire and will never try that again.

REPLY I once showed up at a college game expecting to be the BJ in a 7-man crew. Due to an emergency, only six showed up and yours truly was the only one 'experienced' (read 'stupid) enough to volunteer to go into the middle. When I saw the size and speed of those guys, I called my insurance agent to make sure my premiums were paid up.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY I once showed up at a college game expecting to be the BJ in a 7-man crew. Due to an emergency, only six showed up and yours truly was the only one 'experienced' (read 'stupid) enough to volunteer to go into the middle. When I saw the size and speed of those guys, I called my insurance agent to make sure my premiums were paid up.

I don't think there's an official in any other sport as close to the action as the U. If there is, I can't think who it is.