ASA Shirt

[mo99]

Can the ASA light blue pullover shirt with the ASA letters on the chest be purchased from anywhere other than the ASA website? Sorry to say,their shirt is the pits.It is too heavy for summer time wear and the collar looks like crap.I wear Cliff Keen shirts for NFHS and NCAA which is a lot better looking and more comfortable than the ASA "official" shirt.


Jeff
NFHS Umpire
NCAA Umpire
ASA Umpire

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by mo99

Can the ASA light blue pullover shirt with the ASA letters on the chest be purchased from anywhere other than the ASA website?

Nope. (Extraneous text)

[chuck chopper]

We spoke about this back in the winter. I contacted ASA Uniforms people and told them this as well as the pocket needs to come back. I hardly think they listen but we can always hope.

[mo99]

I just got a response back from Lesters,and they said it would be a trademark issue and wont do it.It is a shame ASA puts out a bad shirt and has the market cornered as well.I wouldnt mind paying 10 bucks more for a Cliff Keen quality shirt,but I guess it is better than the Elbeco.

Jeff
NFHS Umpire
NCAA Umpire
ASA Umpire

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by mo99

Can the ASA light blue pullover shirt with the ASA letters on the chest be purchased from anywhere other than the ASA website? Sorry to say,their shirt is the pits.It is too heavy for summer time wear and the collar looks like crap.I wear Cliff Keen shirts for NFHS and NCAA which is a lot better looking and more comfortable than the ASA "official" shirt.


Jeff
NFHS Umpire
NCAA Umpire
ASA Umpire

Actually, you can purchase it from any ASA dealer, not just Officialgear.com. But, it will be the same ASA shirt. Forward your complaints about the quality of the shirts to Walter Sparks; last I heard, he was still the chair of the ASA Umpire Uniform subcommittee.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

I want the ballbags with the elastic back too!!! I have two that I am nursing along....the plain bag w/ no elastic sucks....

[BretMan]

I just received a new ASA shirt from "Official Gear" and was surprised at how heavy it seemed. Much prefer the Cliff Keen shirts, especially the 2006 version which is advertised as a lighter weave and "wicking effect" material.

And what's up with no pocket on the ASA shirt? Now I have to stick my lineup holder in my ballbag, where it get bent-to-heck by balls and brushes.

The ASA hats seem a little bit funky, too. The crown is very high with a squarish "train engineer" look that I don't care for.

On a positive note, I also recently received a pair of the new Honig's "combo" pants in dark navy blue. They are comfortable and look to be quite durable. They'll come in handy for double headers or games where you're not sure if you have the bases or the plate.

But check this out. I just found a new, still-in-the-wrapper Elbeco button up on eBay for three bucks!

I'm breaking that bad boy out in some "unsanctioned" summer leagues when I want to go old skool!

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by BretMan

And what's up with no pocket on the ASA shirt? Now I have to stick my lineup holder in my ballbag, where it get bent-to-heck by balls and brushes.

In the past, I have been told that it was intentionally specified "no pocket". During the Elbeco years, umpires were gigged for putting lineup card holders or pens or pencils in the shirt pocket; that isn't where NUS wants them, they believe it looks bad, and argued if you got hit by a ball there, the pens would leak all over your shirt.

The ASA ball bags have a pen holder slot sewn in, so you can keep your pen there (I use a pen, rather than a pencil; the ink is clearer, never needs sharpening, point doesn't break). One of the ball bag slots also can hold a lineup card holder, but I don't like that; at times, particularly with two balls in the bag, it becomes a struggle to get it out. What I have found is that the ASA lineup card holder fits very neatly and efficiently in my right back pants pocket, and being the only thing there, is easily removed and replaced.

And, I have never been gigged by an evaluator, either ASA or NCAA, for that system. But, Bret, not in the shirt pocket, even when you have one.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

In the past, I have been told that it was intentionally specified "no pocket". During the Elbeco years, umpires were gigged for putting lineup card holders or pens or pencils in the shirt pocket; that isn't where NUS wants them, they believe it looks bad, and argued if you got hit by a ball there, the pens would leak all over your shirt.

The ASA ball bags have a pen holder slot sewn in, so you can keep your pen there (I use a pen, rather than a pencil; the ink is clearer, never needs sharpening, point doesn't break). One of the ball bag slots also can hold a lineup card holder, but I don't like that; at times, particularly with two balls in the bag, it becomes a struggle to get it out. What I have found is that the ASA lineup card holder fits very neatly and efficiently in my right back pants pocket, and being the only thing there, is easily removed and replaced.

And, I have never been gigged by an evaluator, either ASA or NCAA, for that system. But, Bret, not in the shirt pocket, even when you have one.

Steve,

I do the same thing. Line-up card holder in my back pocket, pen in bag when working tournament where I am carrying more than one ball.

BTW, there are two pockets and the pen/pencil slot in the bags. I have found that if you snip the stitching on one side of the slot for the pen, that creates a nice sized place for a line-up card holder.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

I want the ballbags with the elastic back too!!! I have two that I am nursing along....the plain bag w/ no elastic sucks....

Too bad that I didn't know this sooner. I hated the ones with the elastic. I gave away six or so last year, in near mint condition, to my daughter to use when she umpires or to give to other umpires in her area. She just started umpiring last year....as they say....the nut don't fall too far from the tree.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

I want the ballbags with the elastic back too!!! I have two that I am nursing along....the plain bag w/ no elastic sucks....

I still have one that I don't use....it has the old ASA logo on it...shoot me an email or private message and we can talk about it further.

[CelticNHBlue]

I double bagged for the first time this year, and I have to admit I like it. I was a bit hesitant, but it was highly suggested by some local umpires that I hold in the highest esteem. I only do it in college games or lower level games that have enough quality balls to make it worth it and then only if the field location may make it difficult to them back in a timely fashion. It really makes it easier to keep the flow of the game when you have multiple balls leave the field of play and you can better keep your focus on the field and not in the dugout or pressbox wondering where your next ball will come from. I use a nice rotation, always keeping one ball on my right (I am right handed) so that when I rotate the last ball, and my left bag is empty, I know it is time to reload. The added benefit, as mentioned, is having more places for your brush and line-up card holder.

As for the ASA ball bags, I just did my first ASA games of the year this past week after 70+ college and hs games this spring and I was so frusterated getting balls in and out of my bag because it is a little smaller than the plain bags I purchased from Honigs. I like the flat look (no elastic), I think it appears cleaner and more professional, but functionally, the old bags were much easier to use. JMHO.