Leather Luster

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

Give me a good, clean polished shoe and you're fine.

Mike,
I understand that. They reason I do like them is that they are SO easy to clean. Spray them with water, dry them, wear them onto the field. Regular leather shoes take a lot more to keep looking cleaned.

What I have been doing with my regular shoes is to put a really good coat of polish on them a couple of times a month. This takes a couple of hours. Then, in between games, I'll clean them with water, wipe them down with armor-all, then dry & buff them. They do look good, but we're talking about more time & effort on my part. So, when patent leather or leather lustered shoes are acceptable, I'll use them.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Mike,
I understand that. They reason I do like them is that they are SO easy to clean. Spray them with water, dry them, wear them onto the field. Regular leather shoes take a lot more to keep looking cleaned.

What I have been doing with my regular shoes is to put a really good coat of polish on them a couple of times a month. This takes a couple of hours. Then, in between games, I'll clean them with water, wipe them down with armor-all, then dry & buff them. They do look good, but we're talking about more time & effort on my part. So, when patent leather or leather lustered shoes are acceptable, I'll use them.

To start, patents and those coated with Leather Lustre or similar product are bad for one's feet. In both cases, the pores of the leather are blocked which means the shoe doesn't breath.

I give my shoes a decent coat of wax once a season. I have two brushes, one soft (horse hair), one with stiff bristles (boar). Coming off the field, I use the hard brush to clear the dirt/dust. With an application brush, I place a sparing amount of wax on the entire shoe and edge of the sole and then buff with soft brush. This process takes no more than five minutes. No water, no rags, no problems. Shoe never needs to be stripped because there is no build up due to the constant brushing. I have never had to replace a pair of shoes due to issues with the upper leather. Of course, this doesn't apply to the care of "rain" shoes.

Nonetheless, to each their own. If you do not perspire or never had an athlete's foot issue, go for it. Guess I just don't care for "flashy" in an umpire. Personally, I prefer natural leather uppers.

[Mountaineer]

Wearing patent leather shoes does not help my judgement one bit - you are absolutely correct. It does, however, make me look more professional when I walk onto the field. Just like having my pants dry-cleaned and keeping a good crease in them and making sure my hats are neat and clean. Appearance does not help me call balls and strikes and it never will. It also will not help me improve. However, when we are observed in WV, appearance is part of the criteria and I strive to look as professional as possible. I like the word professional more than flashy. Is that any different than the "flashy" manner people call a 3rd strike? I think you are off-base in judging someone flashy just because of the shoes they wear.

I also agree with Steve on the ease of care. In 60 seconds, my shoes look like new with just water and a soft cloth. As fas as the sweating goes, I've not noticed anything about my feet sweating anymore than before. Besides, my sweat don't stink!

[NDblue]

I personally think that Leather Luster makes shoes look crappy and unnatural especially when dirty. My shoes get dirty 2 seconds after I walk on the field but I still take the time to clean them after every session.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Wearing patent leather shoes does not help my judgement one bit - you are absolutely correct. It does, however, make me look more professional when I walk onto the field. Just like having my pants dry-cleaned and keeping a good crease in them and making sure my hats are neat and clean. Appearance does not help me call balls and strikes and it never will. It also will not help me improve. However, when we are observed in WV, appearance is part of the criteria and I strive to look as professional as possible. I like the word professional more than flashy. Is that any different than the "flashy" manner people call a 3rd strike?

You obviously have not seen me call a third strike. No flash, just a call.

I think you are off-base in judging someone flashy just because of the shoes they wear.

Just where in any previous posts did I "judge" anyone? Seems to me, I just noted my personal opinion and preference.

Of course, appearance is important. No one in this thread said that it wasn't.
And where did I ever bring into question an umpire's ability as it relates to their wardrobe? Apparently, your computer has a special filter which allows you to read hidden text that the rest of us do not see.

I also agree with Steve on the ease of care. In 60 seconds, my shoes look like new with just water and a soft cloth.

You note the ease of wiping these shoes clean, yet you go to the trouble and expense of having your pants dry cleaned?

I have never had to take a pair of pants I wear on the field to the cleaners. Always just a wash away from looking new and never, never lost a permanent crease. Most pair last me 3-4 years of year-round wear.

[shipwreck]

I also just launder my umpire pants versus taking them in to get dry cleaned. I will bet you could take my laundered pants, put them on a hanger and take the dry cleaned pants and do the same and it would be hard to tell the difference. Dave

[Bandit]

IRISHMAFIA types:."No flash, just a call." & "As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

Give me a good, clean polished shoe and you're fine: As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

Give me a good, clean polished shoe and you're fine "

You've been hanging around Emily to long.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Bandit

You've been hanging around Emily to long.

Actually, I've only conversed with EA a couple of times, never discussed uniforms.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You obviously have not seen me call a third strike. No flash, just a call.

You are absolutely correct - I have never seen you call a third strike. I wasn't necessarily commenting on your third strike, just others in general.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Just where in any previous posts did I "judge" anyone? Seems to me, I just noted my personal opinion and preference.

Here: As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

And here: Guess I just don't care for "flashy" in an umpire.

This may be your opinion but seemed judgemental to me. And perception is reality!

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Of course, appearance is important. No one in this thread said that it wasn't. And where did I ever bring into question an umpire's ability as it relates to their wardrobe? Apparently, your computer has a special filter which allows you to read hidden text that the rest of us do not see.

Yes, you seem to think that YOUR view of appearance is absolute. You didn't say that an umpire's ability relates to their wardrobe - I was AGREEING with you. You must be a little sensative about this.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You note the ease of wiping these shoes clean, yet you go to the trouble and expense of having your pants dry cleaned?

Absolutely! I also do that in basketball. Your comparison of my pants and shoes is an apples/oranges comparison. I can clean my shoes very quickly and they shine like new. In order to accomplish this with my pants, I change them.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I have never had to take a pair of pants I wear on the field to the cleaners. Always just a wash away from looking new and never, never lost a permanent crease. Most pair last me 3-4 years of year-round wear.

BRAVO! I tend to loose my crease when I wash them myself. Occasionally I will throw them in the washer if I don't have time to go to the cleaners. I have some pants that are entering their 8th season and still look great. I don't understand why I'm a bad guy because I choose to dry-clean my pants. My pants, my money, my choice. Plus, I'm a lazy, divorced, SOB so that's less laundry I have to do!!!

I didn't mean to piss anyone off - hope I didn't!

[BuggBob]

Many of us ex-military types like the spit shined look, for our dress shoes. But let ask you old combat vets. How many of you wore spit shines in the bush? My shoes are buffed to a nice glossy shine, which I just brush off between games (if time allows). When they are muddy, and living in the Pacific NW they get muddy, I just use a stiff brush to knock the mud off and the soft brush to shine what remains. Worked for my combat boots, works for my umpire shoes. No complaints.

Bugg

[argodad]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

Many of us ex-military types like the spit shined look, for our dress shoes. But let ask you old combat vets. How many of you wore spit shines in the bush? My shoes are buffed to a nice glossy shine, which I just brush off between games (if time allows). When they are muddy, and living in the Pacific NW they get muddy, I just use a stiff brush to knock the mud off and the soft brush to shine what remains. Worked for my combat boots, works for my umpire shoes. No complaints.

Bugg

During four years at Annapolis, I hated spit-shining my shoes. I wore the uncomfortable Corfams just to keep from having to do it. 35 years later, retired from the Navy, I'm anal about spit-shining my plate shoes. I even do it during my off game during a tournament. I admit that I'm weird -- but the spit-shined size 14s draw compliments from coaches, players, and even fans.

(I guess if I ever get a chance to work a tournament for Mike, I'll have to dull the finish to make sure I don't draw any attention to myself. )

[IRISHMAFIA]

Larry, I wasn't being judgmental of anyone, simply expressing an opinion. Never stated anyone was a "bad guy" or a lesser umpire because your opinion differed. Then again, until it came to the pants, I wasn't addressing anyone in particular, just normal chatter.

I don't care for the product because it damages the leather and can create a health issue with some umpires. A health issue which attacks one of an umpire's most important assets, their feet.

I don't care for the look on the field just because I don't. I am ex-military and can put a spit shine on any shoe, but I choose not to for a couple of reasons.

When I was first assigned to a national I was told to put a military crease in the Elbeco because that is what was expected. I was told not to show up with spit shined shoes and a glossy belt because that isn't what the UICs wanted. I am a believer in uniform and apparently carried the same opinion as EA without realizing it.

If you showed up to work a tournament for me, I wouldn't do anything to embarass you, nor allow it to affect your assignments or rating. I may ask you to wear an alternative pair of shoes if some were available. I would voice my opinion to you privately and leave it at that.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

If you showed up to work a tournament for me, I wouldn't do anything to embarass you, nor allow it to affect your assignments or rating. I may ask you to wear an alternative pair of shoes if some were available. I would voice my opinion to you privately and leave it at that.

Would you really ask someone to wear a different pair of shoes? Please, please, please tell me that I just missed the humor and sarcasm in that statement. If my college supervisor or our state HS association (or other authoritative organization) mandated that we could NOT wear patent leather shoes, of course I would comply. If it were another official - well, I'd get a big laugh out of that. I really hope I was supposed to laugh at being asked by another official to wear another pair of shoes. I personally wouldn't care what shoes you wore as long as you can officiate the game. If you look professional and can take care of business, I don't care!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Most pair last me 3-4 years of year-round wear.

What? You wear them to church in the off-season? More room for kneeling?