For the Umpires

[Ed Hickland]

We debated last year who should supply the towel for the umpire when conditions dictate drying the ball.

Should the umpire have his own towel? Or, do we depend upon one of the teams supplying it and if they don't just let the ball get wet?

Let's hear it umpires, what do you do?

[James Neil]

I bring my own

[alabamabluezebra]

I also bring my own; otherwise, you may get something with a powerade logo or lime green in color. My towel is a standard piece of equipment in my bag.

[shawn.wortman]

I bring my own in my bag, but do require that the home team keep me supplied in dry towels during the game. White only. I inform the ball boys prior to the game and the coach during the game if necessary.

[Mike Simonds]

I bring four white towels (4" by 12", 18" by 36", white, unadorned, rule 1 approved, LOL) in my equipment bag to the game site: 1 for each ball boy and 1 for each half for me). In our association we assign two ball boys to every varsity game (sons or relatives of our officials; the league covers their liability insurance for us). One ball boy on each sideline. Each one will have a towel. They stay near the HL and LJ. We get one new ball from the league every game (it goes to the home school at the end of the game; usually a Wilson TD model ball). Each team will supply one legal ball of their choice. So we work with 3 balls during the game. Dead ball out of bounds or in side zone: we do the first ball down, second ball in rotation.

If its an inclement weather game we discuss the towel supply situation with both teams in the pregame meeting. The ball boys are supplied with rain parkas that are baggy with lots of room to keep their towel and ball dry.

[CaUmpJW]

I agree with Mike. I take four towels to each game. I instruct the each team to have the ball boy for their team keep the ball dry with their towels. During rainy weather I change towels at each quarter.Our association believes it is the teams responsibility to get a dry ball to the umpire.

[ABoselli]

I'm happy if the ball boy makes it to the 4th quarter. They get bored and leave a lot of the time (unless they're the coach's son - in which case they just get bored).

The teams usually manage to keep the ball dry (it's in their best interests, after all) and have tons of towels on hand (as well as laundry facilities).

[Matt-MI]

I usually have the teams supply me with one but I have 2 or 3 in my van just in case. Once a team gave me one that was so torn up and thread bare that you could see through it.

[cowbyfan1]

bring own but I tell the coaches to have ball boys keep a couple clean, dry and ready to go at all time. I do not give them a towel, they should have plenty.

[ump76]

As an umpire I always took it for granted the home team must suppy the towels....... However through reading some
valuable imput on this thread I am encouraged to bring a towel in my equipment bag. Thanks for the great ideas.

[SWFLguy]

I worked for 32 years in Central New York-- most with
the Syracuse Chapter. We never had to supply towels !
In my first season here in SW FL, I find out that the U
is expected to bring towels. OK- so I score some plain
white ones and take them to the games. I still think it
is bull-s**t, but "when in Rome" !
PS-- over the years-I worked many games in the
Syracuse Carrier Dome--- needless to say it was
a pleasure not to have to deal with weather !!