ASA Blue/Gray

[SRW]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

Jewelry, other than a wedding band (I'm a newlywed), in my opinion, and the opinion of every other high school sport association that I work, looks unprofessional, and is unnecessary. I have (or had, for the most part) 5 holes in my two ears, and a tongue piercing. I don't wear earrings anymore, but when I started officiating (university intramurals and high shool), they all came out as a part of my getting dressed. I struggled with the rationale of this type of thing when I first started officiating, as I, at that time, had what is commonly now called a goatee, and had bleach-blonde dreadlocks that I could put back in a pony tail, and piercings were a part of my daily adornment. I quickly realized, however, that in order to be taken seriously - especially with my appearance as far younger in age than I actually was - I needed to make some changes to make the kind of impression (with evaluators, coaches, players, spectators, etc.) I wanted to on the field/court - and in order to advance to the next level. The earrings eventually went by the wayside when putting them in and out got to be a hassle (doing it 5 times a week). I got rid of the goatee when I started attending collegiate basketball camps. The dreads went during my first year as well - before I actually started working high school anything.

And yes - I'm talking about "on the field" when I say this: I cringe because it's unnecessary decoration that looks unprofessional, in my opinion - not to mention the door that is being opened for snide ridicule by the high percentage of ignorant redneck (no offense intended to anyone here) men that populate the slow pitch game that I love.

I'm all for personal adornment and decoration. I have many tattoos as well. But I would never get them where they would show while wearing any of my uniforms (other than leg stuff - but as I said - I prefer not to wear shorts whenever possible). I don't feel it belongs there. And I most certainly subscribe to the "if they can't have it, neither can you" philosophy.

Hawk,
A few things for ponderance:
- I agree that excessive ear piercings gives a less professional image. What number is excessive to you? One? Two? Five?
- Why isn't there a mention of Umpire Jewelry in ASA 3-6-F or 10-1-C? It's also not mentioned in section 1 on page 197 of the umpire's manual, either. Why do you suppose that is?
- Does your opinion change if a female umpire comes out with diamond studs earrings? If you're the UIC this weekend, and Male Ump A comes out with a small diamond stud and a small hoop in his left ear, are you going to make him take them out? How about the same with Female Ump B?
- What if the ump can't wear a wedding band, so his wedding "jewelry" is a small hoop earring?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just playing Devil's Advocate for the sake of discussion...

[Dakota]

Hawkeye... I want PICTURES! I want to see you in your umpire uniform with jewelry hanging from wherever and blond dreads! Did you have an adjustable cap for your pony tail to hang out?

SRW... you won't find any RULES regarding umpire body adornments. It is a matter, as Hawkeye says, of professional appearance; of being taken seriously. It is more the total package than a technical boundary of 0, 1, 2, ... items.

You won't find a rule about wearing a watch, either. Have you ever been told by a UIC or clinician not to wear one?

And, since it is a matter of appearance, yes, there is a difference between female and male professional appearance in our society.

JMO.

[Mountaineer]

Other than a wedding band, we are not allowed jewelry in HS or College around here. It's actually something we get in writing from the clinicians. Personally, I think it detracts from the professional looks to wear an earring. That being said, I do leave my nose ring and tongue ring in because it's just so hard to get them back in once I take them out.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Dakota

SRW... you won't find any RULES regarding umpire body adornments. It is a matter, as Hawkeye says, of professional appearance; of being taken seriously. It is more the total package than a technical boundary of 0, 1, 2, ... items.

You won't find a rule about wearing a watch, either. Have you ever been told by a UIC or clinician not to wear one?

And, since it is a matter of appearance, yes, there is a difference between female and male professional appearance in our society.

JMO.

That was precisely my point... Every area has their own standards as to what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to jewelry on an umpire. One person's view of what is "acceptable" may not be another's. That's why it will never be mentioned in the rulebook.