Umpire uniform violation
 

Our high school games come under NFHS rules and mechanics.

Our association states that our umpire uniform includes a powder blue polo shirt with no logos (exception for a 25-year patch), a navy blue t-shirt (if worn), heather grey pants and grey ball bag.

This past week we had a pair of umpires violate the uniform mandate. They each wore cream colored polos with navy stripes on the collar and sleeves. BU wore a red t-shirt. The PU wore a navy blue ball bag.

How serious a violation would your association view this and what possible sanctions might apply?

The "cream colored polos with navy stripes on the collar and sleeves " isn't even close. Reduce their rating a notch.

Wrong color ball bag is minor, be correct next time.
The red t shirt is conspicuous, but ok in rule book, also correct next time.

BUT, check alibis, were they stranded or uniforms damaged?

Why would you specify navy t shirts with powder blue shirts?

We can get fined and lose games if we do not follow protocols in our associations.

in So Cal Southern Section CIF (California Softball Officials Association) all but San Diego.
Heather Grey pants are the default pant but we can wear Navy Pants if all umpires for the game have them .
Powder Blue Polo with CSOA patch on left sleeve. Under shirt if worn shall be white and hat must be Navy.
Ball Bags Default to Navy with Heather Grey being optional.

in San Diego Section CIF we wear Navy Polo with Navy undershirt. Pants must be Heather Grey Ball Bags and Hat must be Navy.

Since when is red okay for Undershirt in Softball???

Red T-shirt is OK in NFHS rule book?? I know it's Powder Blue w/ white T-shirt. Our guys who do both USA and NFHS screw this up all the time.

Nobody stranded. Conscious decision on the part of both officials.

I didn't specify the T-shirt color. Our association decided upon this. It's been that way since I was admitted to the board.

OK, my mistake, :o thinking the book said preferred or default, rather than "shall". :o
Just a thing I have not had to think about for decades. ;)

BTW, that means navy under powder blue is also not allowed. :rolleyes:

OhioHSAA both baseball and softball: Navy Blue shirt with Red undershirt.

MTD, Sr.

UNLESS you're working NHIAA high school games. If you wear a T-shirt under the powder blue shirt, it must be navy blue.

Doesn't NCAA and MLB do this color combination?

I'd prefer white under powder blue, but, when in Rome...

I don't work a ton of NCAA games, but when I do, they love to wear navy. I went to a camp here in AZ and it was just under 100F...everyone wanted to wear navy on the field even though it was hotter than hell. I can think of one excellent umpire in particular who probably doesn't even own a powder shirt any more (not naming names). When forced to wear powder shirts, navy undershirts seem to be all the rage.

Personally, I like navy under powder when I work the bases. I wear white undershirts if that's what my partner is wearing. When I am on the plate I wear white, as no one will see it anyway.

You won't catch me dead wearing red.

In the two college conferences (1 NCAA and 1 NAIA) that Mark, Jr., umpires in, the supervisor requires powder blue with white undershirt and heather gray pants.

MTD, Sr.

The NCAA uniform is powder over Navy. Navy is a cleaner, more forgiving color. And please do not bring the temp into the discussion, it is the material and construction of the pants that will make the difference not the color.

I wear so much sunscreen it really stains the white and the powder. I prefer navy or black to anything.

OK, the hijacking to let everyone know what their organization wears or what their particular preferences are is closed.

Back to our normal programming:

What sanctions might apply in your organization if someone deliberately ignored the umpire dress code and went rogue?

OhioHSAA has a penalty of "fine not exceeding $100" for an official in any sport that is not in a proper uniform. I've got to believe you also limit your opportunities for tournament assignments as well, though it's not directly stated.

From my perspective, you haven't given enough information. So far as I know, every state that uses NFHS rulebook also states standards for umpire uniforms; powder and/or navy shirt, navy and/or gray pants (I know TN allows charcoal, not just heather), white and/or navy undershirts, and so on. Before I could state how it would be viewed here, I would need to know if it violated JUST your association's requirements, or also the state agency's requirements.

If navy ball bag or red T-shirt (something I think should NEVER be allowed) are acceptable in your state, then those are minor violations. If not acceptable in your state anytime, anywhere, it jumps in level of concern. Did they diss the state at the same time as dissing you association? And those two items are different, in my mind, than the creme shirts.

Those two items were individual decisions. But the creme shirts were obviously a premeditated and joint decision that say "screw you"; but again, to your association, or to the state, too, makes a difference.

The final question is, how badly do you need those two umpires? Can you afford to lose them in setting an example to the rest of your association that you are serious about the uniform requirements?

All of these are factors that should be considered; it isn't a $5 vs $50 question, in my opinion. If they violated state rules on the shirts, I might say "thanks, you donated the game fee" when not wearing state mandated uniform, while if just a local issue, and I need them going forward, a lesser penalty that sends a message might be more appropriate.

Steve, fair enough. Here is a link to our website, particularly the page that notes our uniform requirements: NHSUA Uniform Code Equipment

Our association supports the NHIAA as do the officials for baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, etc. Many officials do multiple sports. So some things are state adopted rules, such as our run rule, and the allowing for the use of the double-base. I believe one of the things that was approved for our softball umpires is that although the NFHS Umpire's Manual calls for white T-shirts, we have a state adopted allowance for the Navy blue T-shirt (if worn). And it's not the umpire's choice. If you wear a white T-shirt during an evaluation game, you'll be dinged for it.

The only other options include a Navy blue sweater or a Navy blue pull-over polo. And, of course, umpires must match. The Navy polo is not allowed for tournament play.

The cream-colored shirts and red T-shirt were pre-game time decisions made by those officials. The Navy blue ball bag could have been a simple oversight or more of the "doin' our own thing" attitude, don't know.

Hope that helps.

Here our state USA softball management team works closely with the state HS activities association to train and provide umpires for HS games. The state does not issue any type of uniform logo or patch. Because basically every high school umpire is also a USA Softball umpire the "powers that be" have given us permission to use USA Softball apparel at HS games.

Part of the rational is that our HS season is short in Alaska, and this allows us to avoid having to buy both USA logo items and no logo items.

In our state in fast pitch the default is the dark blue shirt with grey slacks but we can use the navy blue shirts and dark blue pants so long as crew matches. We also will use the ASA/USA red shirts that honor Veterans on Friday night games at the crew's discretion.

We do play by NFHS rules during HS season so technically we are ignoring 10-4-2. You can feel free to issue us a Team Warning. :)

I've seen plenty of umpires officiating games with not quite the "proper" uniform. Usually it is for understandable reasons (e.g. left something at home, etc.).

But for partners to coordinate the use of obviously unapproved shirts when they (presumably) had the proper shirts tells me we are not getting the whole story here.

I have to believe there was more going on. Something led up to this. You don't get open rebellion out of the blue (so to speak).

Here in NY, each local group has the option for navy/heather grey - so our group opted for the grey. Plain powder blue shirts, navy blue caps, white t shirts.