Leather Luster

[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 Mountaineer

...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...

Don't know if you missed any humor in Mike's post, but you did miss two little words... he said

If you showed up to work a tournament for me, ...

FYI, Mike is the ASA UIC for his state.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Don't know if you missed any humor in Mike's post, but you did miss two little words... he said FYI, Mike is the ASA UIC for his state.

Again, a UIC telling me what shoes to wear? I would stay home. I'm sure Mike is a great umpire, he really seems to have great insights on the rules but I assure you that's going overboard. Our UIC required things like hats, shirts, ball bags - but shoes? I wear fruit of the looms too - but they aren't shiney - I hope that's ok.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

... If my college supervisor or our state HS association (or other authoritative organization) ...

So, you didn't mean this?

I don't know about you, but I generally take seriously suggestions made by tournament UIC's, state UIC's and the like. Doesn't mean I always do as they suggest, but I do consider their point of view.

And, a tournament or state UIC is hardly just "another official."

[bkbjones]

In another galaxy far, far away many moons ago I was told patent leather was verboten for softball. Hence, last pair I had (baseball) went to charity long ago.

My feet go into shock with the mention of Leather Luster. I can assure you my shoes better be able to breathe, because not only do my feet perspire, they also sweat; moreover when they sweat and the sweat is trapped people think they must be near a rendering plant or something. They smell almost as bad as my umpiring.

No patent leather, and if you're working ASA no pleated pants whether washed or dry cleaned.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Dakota

So, you didn't mean this?

I don't know about you, but I generally take seriously suggestions made by tournament UIC's, state UIC's and the like. Doesn't mean I always do as they suggest, but I do consider their point of view.

And, a tournament or state UIC is hardly just "another official."

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.

[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.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

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!

Again, you have that special filter on your computer that produces words no one else sees.

I simply stated that I may ASK the umpire to wear another pair if s/he had them available. BTW, you have just changed the issue. Patent leather shoes and shoes treated with a Leather Lustre-type product are not the same.

The reason I would ask would be so that particular umpire would not stand out from his/her partners. Like it or not, the term uniform has a meaning and it doesn't just apply to a hat, shirt and pants.

I also stated that wearing the topic shoes would not affect the umpire's assignments or rating. I have never requested an umpire at the regional or lower level to change their shoes.

I had an umpire who is scheduled to work with me next month ask if patent leather shoes were okay. My response was "don't be funny". If this guy practices what he preaches, and I'm confident he does, he's a good umpire. His patent leather shoes are not going to bother me, or anyone else.

For the last time, I simply offered an opinion (which is shared by others) and preference. Meanwhile, you want to turn it into a national case of a UIC being overbearing. Compared to some out there, I'm very mild-mannered.

However, since you don't work ASA, I guess you really do not need to worry about it. I certainly am not.