Leather Luster

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Absolutely I meant it - no state or local speaks for an organization! In this instance, it would be someone in power dictating based on personal preference. We had that very thing happen in ASA here in WV and many of us simply got out. I just think telling me what shoes to wear is stretching your authority a bit whether it's Mike or anyone else. If they said, "I don't like those" or "I wouldn't wear those" - that's different. But to tell me NOT to wear them.

I know I'm probably being labled a jerk here because of one thread - and I hope I'm not. I honestly do not mean this as an attack on Mike - I'm not that kind of guy. I just think shoe police based on personal preference is going overboard.

I think you will also need to simply get out of calling in the NCAA, too. If you attended any of the NCAA Umpire Development Clinics, or any approved camps, or any evaluation situations, you would hace heard in absolutely crystal clear terms NO PATENT LEATHER SHOES, NO PATENT LEATHER BELTS, and NO PLEATED FRONT PANTS. That is from Kathy Strahm, Emily Alexander, and Ed Crane, the people who do direct the conference coordinators, and who select all NCAA postseason umpires.

I think you should pick a different battle, as your defense of patent leather in softball is a losing proposition.