Black pants question for umpires

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by LDUB

You're assuming that everyone uses the black flags because they don't want to be seen reaching for it. I'm sure some use them because they like the look of them blending in with the pants. And I could see a situation coming up with a fumble where the official reaches for the beanbag but then rules that there was not a fumble.

And I don't think it would take too long for teams to realize that the white ball sticking out of your pants is the flag; it isn't some big secret.

Assuming?

The reason those flags were created were to blend into the color of the pants. This was the reason for the white tipped flag in the first place. Before the white tipped flags, many official would put white tape on the ball portion of the flag so if they reached for their flag (if in their belt) it would not be as obvious as when you would reach for a yellow object. And this is also the reason the flags are suggested in many parts of the country to have them in your belt. It is not as obvious if you reach for your flag and then change your mind what sometimes happens. And no one made these flags with the black on them until the black pants were made available. That is the actually reason the flags were manufactured the way they were, not based on an assumption I am making.

Peace

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Assuming?

The reason those flags were created were to blend into the color of the pants. This was the reason for the white tipped flag in the first place. Before the white tipped flags, many official would put white tape on the ball portion of the flag so if they reached for their flag (if in their belt) it would not be as obvious as when you would reach for a yellow object. And this is also the reason the flags are suggested in many parts of the country to have them in your belt. It is not as obvious if you reach for your flag and then change your mind what sometimes happens. And no one made these flags with the black on them until the black pants were made available. That is the actually reason the flags were manufactured the way they were, not based on an assumption I am making.

Peace

So that is why they were made that way. And you are sure that every person who has one of those flags bought it because of that specific reason.

What if I told you that I worked with an official in a youth game wearing white shorts using a flag with a black ball? Obviously he is not using that flag so that it blends in with his shorts. Maybe he likes that the black flag does not show dirt on the ball portion as easily as a white or yellow one. Maybe black is his favorite color. There seem to be a lot of reasons why people could want a black or white flag. You can assume that each one of them bought the flag so that they won't be seen reaching for the yellow and I will assume that at least 1 of those flags were sold for a different reason.

And if reaching for your flag is such a big deal why don't you just not reach for it unless you are going to call a foul?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by LDUB

So that is why they were made that way. And you are sure that every person who has one of those flags bought it because of that specific reason.

What if I told you that I worked with an official in a youth game wearing white shorts using a flag with a black ball? Obviously he is not using that flag so that it blends in with his shorts. Maybe he likes that the black flag does not show dirt on the ball portion as easily as a white or yellow one. Maybe black is his favorite color. There seem to be a lot of reasons why people could want a black or white flag. You can assume that each one of them bought the flag so that they won't be seen reaching for the yellow and I will assume that at least 1 of those flags were sold for a different reason.

And if reaching for your flag is such a big deal why don't you just not reach for it unless you are going to call a foul?

First mistake is you are talking about a youth game in the context of this discussion.

Secondly, the point I was making was this was the reason the product was produced a certain way. Not only is that what I know, but what I was told by the people that sold them directly to me when I purchased my black flags back in August of this year.

And I did not say it was a big deal for everyone, just giving the reason why something was made. But there have been many incidences that someone judges a call by looking at the officials. This is one reason I have been always told to wear it in my belt in the front and not in a back pocket or behind your back. And I can think of several instances where an official reached for a flag and the fact they did not call a foul made SportsCenter or simply was a big topic during a broadcast. The Maryland-Northern Illinois game is one of the biggest situations that came to mind several years ago.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Assuming?

The reason those flags were created were to blend into the color of the pants. This was the reason for the white tipped flag in the first place. Before the white tipped flags, many official would put white tape on the ball portion of the flag so if they reached for their flag (if in their belt) it would not be as obvious as when you would reach for a yellow object. And this is also the reason the flags are suggested in many parts of the country to have them in your belt. It is not as obvious if you reach for your flag and then change your mind what sometimes happens. And no one made these flags with the black on them until the black pants were made available. That is the actually reason the flags were manufactured the way they were, not based on an assumption I am making.

Peace

Wow. I guess I've been doing it all wrong all these years. I mean, I just figured the coaches *knew* I carried flags and didn't have to hide them.

It will be a cold day in you-know-where before I tape a flag or buy one with a ball any color other than yellow. (Unless I ever move up and then I'll do whatever they tell me to do, of course.)

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Wow. I guess I've been doing it all wrong all these years. I mean, I just figured the coaches *knew* I carried flags and didn't have to hide them.

It will be a cold day in you-know-where before I tape a flag or buy one with a ball any color other than yellow. (Unless I ever move up and then I'll do whatever they tell me to do, of course.)

You know Rich, we all do not do the same things. It is OK.

Peace