Last rites for knickers?

[BIG UMP]

I worked with an R year before last on the 2nd week of September. He stated we would be wearing the black pants, which were optional at that time. After wearing them once, I swore I'd never wear knickers again. In TN black pants are mandatory for 2012 and I have not broken my vow.

[waltjp]

Knickers were accepted as a crew option last season. I wore them once when I filled in with another crew. I decided to toss them in my bag at the last minute before I left the house. When I got to the game site I discovered that nobody else on the crew even owned black pants.

[legend]

We wore them (knickers) in Pa last year (were only allowed to wear the blacks with long sleeves, basically only foul weather) but have heard that we are going to be being given the option to go either black or knickers. Guess I'll just pack both and hope for a younger "white hat".

[Texas Aggie]

I've read that the NFL will be eliminating them this year

That is correct. Since virtually all TV games will show officials in the black pants, I don't think anyone will be wearing knickers from 2013 on.

The next project is to get 2" stripes OK'd for HS.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

That is correct. Since virtually all TV games will show officials in the black pants, I don't think anyone will be wearing knickers from 2013 on.

Now if we can get the CFL to ditch knickers, that'll really put a fork in 'em.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Knickers were accepted as a crew option last season. I wore them once when I filled in with another crew. I decided to toss them in my bag at the last minute before I left the house. When I got to the game site I discovered that nobody else on the crew even owned black pants.

Well in your situation I would understand you holding on to them. But we made a crew decision and we do not wear them anymore. Also I hated the socks and trying to hold them up. That alone was worth getting rid of silly looking pants.

Peace

[HLin NC]

The next project is to get 2" stripes OK'd for HS.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stripes we wear in HS now. I know you Texas guys are NCAA rules and that's fine but I'm sick and tired of having to buy new crap just because the college level guys are switching to blue bean bags nee' black, wider stripes, etc.

What blows my mind is NC is going to allow some white on the shoes this year and some of our college guys actually went against it so the local association is going to be tighter on it than the state- and THEY get to wear shoes w/white already??!!

[APG]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stripes we wear in HS now. I know you Texas guys are NCAA rules and that's fine but I'm sick and tired of having to buy new crap just because the college level guys are switching to blue bean bags nee' black, wider stripes, etc.

Perhaps it's cause I'm a Texas guy, but the 2 inch stripes look infinitely better with black pants than a high school shirt...at least IMO.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the stripes we wear in HS now. I know you Texas guys are NCAA rules and that's fine but I'm sick and tired of having to buy new crap just because the college level guys are switching to blue bean bags nee' black, wider stripes, etc.

What blows my mind is NC is going to allow some white on the shoes this year and some of our college guys actually went against it so the local association is going to be tighter on it than the state- and THEY get to wear shoes w/white already??!!

The same pants we wear at the HS level, I wear at the college level. The stripe is bigger at only the NFL level.

And why would you care what color is on the shoes? It is almost impossible for some to fine a comfortable shoe and compound that with they must be all black is even harder.

Peace

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

What blows my mind is NC is going to allow some white on the shoes this year and some of our college guys actually went against it so the local association is going to be tighter on it than the state- and THEY get to wear shoes w/white already??!!

I get the impression that there are some college officials that see things like white on shoes, 2" stripes and now black bean bags as "their things" and that they shouldn't be worn at the HS level.

The wider acceptance of shoes with white on them would be the next thing I'd like to see. It is getting harder to find a good pair of all black shoes. I stopped caring this year and bought the Adidas Turf Hogs. Fortunately we are in an environment where I can get away with that.

[bcl1127]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The same pants we wear at the HS level, I wear at the college level. The stripe is bigger at only the NFL level.

And why would you care what color is on the shoes? It is almost impossible for some to fine a comfortable shoe and compound that with they must be all black is even harder.

Peace

I think he was talking about the width of the stripes on the shirts not the pants...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The same pants we wear at the HS level, I wear at the college level. The stripe is bigger at only the NFL level.

And why would you care what color is on the shoes? It is almost impossible for some to fine a comfortable shoe and compound that with they must be all black is even harder.

Peace

I think he was talking about the 2" stripes on the shirts.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Also I hated the socks and trying to hold them up.

Hear ya, there. I had a supply of athletic tape available to wrap around the top of my socks to hold them in place.

[D Ray]

[QUOTE=JRutledge;849737]Well in your situation I would understand you holding on to them. But we made a crew decision and we do not wear them anymore. Also I hated the socks and trying to hold them up. That alone was worth getting rid of silly looking pants.

The whole fashion arc for officials is somewhat interesting to track. All black stirrups, to striped stirrups, to one piece socks. Baseball certainly has many more fashion changes over the past 50+ years.
I recall the switch in lacrosse in the early 90's. We wore football knickers in foul weather. Not bad when it was cold, but not much help in the rain. At that time we went to an all black "rain" pants. Looked odd, but certainly a better tool for the conditions.
I like the pants for foul weather in football too, but the bright white knickers on a crisp fall evening just scream FOOTBALL! Of course the dingy yellow knickers on a freezing, rainy, muddy night screamed OLD SKOOL

[stevegarbs]

[QUOTE=D Ray;849748]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well in your situation I would understand you holding on to them. But we made a crew decision and we do not wear them anymore. Also I hated the socks and trying to hold them up. That alone was worth getting rid of silly looking pants.

The whole fashion arc for officials is somewhat interesting to track. All black stirrups, to striped stirrups, to one piece socks. Baseball certainly has many more fashion changes over the past 50+ years.
I recall the switch in lacrosse in the early 90's. We wore football knickers in foul weather. Not bad when it was cold, but not much help in the rain. At that time we went to an all black "rain" pants. Looked odd, but certainly a better tool for the conditions.
I like the pants for foul weather in football too, but the bright white knickers on a crisp fall evening just scream FOOTBALL! Of course the dingy yellow knickers on a freezing, rainy, muddy night screamed OLD SKOOL

I am on a crew that is clinging desperately to the white knickers. I had to beg and plead to wear the black pants for just one game last year. And this is with 3 guys working small college ball and already wearing the black pants on Saturdays. They think it is as you say, truly football to wear the knickers.

I hate the striped socks, hate knickers, think the black pants look good and feel good. I can only hope Illinois makes the move to dropping kickers all together!