The lacrosse jerseys and the official "Carolina blue" may not be the same...but their light blue softball jerseys -- probably somewhat faded from a whole season in the sun and countless loads of laundry -- looked nearly identical to the umpires' powder blue shirts. Add that, tucked into navy softball pants, and the Tar Heels and the umpires looked nearly identical in Knoxville on Saturday. That is the only point I was trying to make.

Might be time to switch to corrupt DA jokes.

If you buy "official" pants from ASA they do not have pleats.

'course you could be like me and pray for Honigs to have a really nice sale. I still get the greys without pleats.

And don't tell anybody, but the last time I had to purchase some navy blue slacks, I bought them from the world's largest retailer. No pleats AND stain resistance for $17...and yes, the legs fit right over the shin guards with no problemo.

Prefer the Western cut (pockets) and it is often recommended at clinics as they will not "ear out" when the umpire goes to a set position. ASA does not take a stance on pleated pants, though they do not look as good on some people as they do on others regardless of the color.

Yet, I can assure you some NUS members do, in fact, state a stance. PG, for one, is quite vocal about preferences that ASA doesn't state, or states differently.

Well, I thought the orange jump suit comment was the most interesting in this thread so far, but since it keeps going, here is my http://forums.s2kca.com/images/smili...s/twocents.gif.

The western cut pockets may look better when in the set position, but the pockets themselves are not useful as, well, POCKETS! Too hard to get stuff in and out.

ASA's "official gear" plate pants (Fechheimer's) are much too generous in leg room. They are elephant legs. I suppose you could find some leg guards that would need that much room, but not any that I have need it.

ASA's "official gear" plate pants rubberized strip at the waist is ineffective at keeping the shirt neatly tucked in. I still have to use the separate knobby belt.

Cliff Keen's combo pants (pleated) are just about right in roominess for plate duty. Still look a bit too big for base use, but will do. The internal strip is wider than the Fechheimer's and does a better job of keeping the shirt neat.

Odd. The Cliff Keens I have and the Fechheimers that I have are almost identical, with the exception that Fechheimers seem to have a little more quality fabric, and only one eye and hook fastner. These, of course, are the Fechheimer combos that I order from somewhere other than ASA, so maybe that is the difference. These also have pleats and "normal" style pockets.

My Keen combos are a couple of years older than the Fechheimer's. The Fechheimer's (from ASA "official gear") are a different model from other Fechheimer's I've seen. Mine are the western cut pockets, non-pleated kind. It seems to me the older Keen combos are more sturdily made with heavier fabric than the Fechheimer's.

However, I also have a new pair of Keen base pants, and the fabric is lighter weight than on my Keen combos.

I do like the double hook fasteners at the waist that the Keens have - just seems more substantial.

Anyone got a good supplier for the proper ASA pants without having to spend a ton? I have decent substitutes for rec ball, but they're just not the same. I'd hate to have to spend over $50 for a pair of pants if I don't have to. :)

To look the proper part, you are going to spend near $50.00 for pants. Hey! What's the big deal? They last forever. And they will pay for themselves the first tournament you work. :cool:

By "proper ASA" do you mean western cut, no pleats? Those are harder to find. ASA Official Gear is the only place I know of, but since they don't make their own uniforms, there must be other places you can get them.

If you're willing to give up on either the western cut pockets or the no pleats (or both) there are many more places to purchase high quality umpire pants. Unfortunately, they will be in the $40+ price range.

Just as some do concerning facial hair and you don't need initials for that one, do you? :)

I have asked and was specifically told that ASA does not require flat-panel pants. Though I think they look better on some people, I do not require them.

They would be usefull if you ordered your pants based on an actual measurement and not from what you remember ordering 10 years ago. :eek:

:cool: :( :mad:

;)

Honigs has them, complete with the western cut pockets, in both navy and grey.