Shirt quality versus pricing?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

I was told at an ASA National School, several years ago, to put nothing in any of your pockets. "That is why you have a ball bag". With that in mind, I have always used the pockets in the ball bag to hold my lineup card holder, as well as an extra indicator, a flipping coin, and the bat ring.

Just another case of an individual UIC stating a personal preference, rather than an ASA standard.

I have now umpired in 23 ASA National Championship Finals, more than several at the higher levels (Men's Masters 40+ Fastpitch, Men's A Fastpitch, 18 Gold, Mens' Major Modified, Men's A Modified, Men's 10 Man Modified), and have never kept my lineupcard holder anywhere BUT my right rear pants pocket. It has never been mentioned in any written or verbal evaluation as being inappropriate; and, trust me, I have seen pretty insignificant stuff written up.

For example, one year it was 97 degrees with 90%+ humidity, working 18 A National in Columbus, GA, I was plate umpire drying my head with a towel between innings when a coach came up and gave me a substitution. I left the towel on my head to finish, set the hat I was holding on top of the towel momentarily, pulled the lineupcard holder out of my back pocket and recorded the change. Then I removed the towel, finished mopping, put the towel away, reported the change to the other team. After the game, the NUS UIC told me he watched that exchange, and thought it umprofessional of me to leave the towel on my head when interrupted by the coach. This was also on my written evaluation; but, no mention that the lineupcard holder was (incorrectly?) in my pants pocket. Personally, I thought the comments were petty, given the conditions; but, still apparently nothing wrong with the location of the holder.

[Rich]

I always read the softball threads to remind me how different softball umpires are than baseball umpires.

We don't worry about these things, I guess. I've seen baseball umpires use back pockets, ball bags, shirt pockets for lineup cards. Me? I use a shirt pocket or plate coat pocket and it's why I don't wear a pullover jacket on the plate -- I must have my pen and lineup card in my shirt/coat front pocket and my pullovers don't have pockets.

So let me turn this around and ask a question -- why would anyone care where a lineup card is kept as long it's easily accessible by the umpire when needed?

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So let me turn this around and ask a question -- why would anyone care where a lineup card is kept as long it's easily accessible by the umpire when needed?

Not everyone takes pride in their appearance or has been trained to do so, and when speaking to the masses, it's probably easier to make a blanket statement than judge on an individual basis.

I personally think that having a white piece of paper sticking out of your shirt pocket or your back pants pocket looks pretty tacky. However, for those of us who care, we will put the lineup sheet in a lineup holder and make sure it is not visible.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So let me turn this around and ask a question -- why would anyone care where a lineup card is kept as long it's easily accessible by the umpire when needed?

Line-up cards, holders, pen, pencils, etc. tend to fall out of shirt pockets during the game.

I tend to keep my line-up card holder in my back left pocket. There is nothing exposed, so no one knows it's there, but me. I keep it there so I can reach for it with the left hand while the right hand is pulling the pen out of my ball bag.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Line-up cards, holders, pen, pencils, etc. tend to fall out of shirt pockets during the game.

I tend to keep my line-up card holder in my back left pocket. There is nothing exposed, so no one knows it's there, but me. I keep it there so I can reach for it with the left hand while the right hand is pulling the pen out of my ball bag.

I have never used a "lineup card holder." I normally get a hard cardboard lineup card and fold it in thirds. I clip the pen to my pocket.

Different strokes, I guess....

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

...I normally get a hard cardboard lineup card...

Do you supply these, or are all the coaches in your area just that considerate?

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Do you supply these, or are all the coaches in your area just that considerate?

You made me spit.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Do you supply these, or are all the coaches in your area just that considerate?

Well, I'm just lucky, I guess. I ask for the cardboard backing at the plate meeting if they don't already have it in hand to give to me.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I have never used a "lineup card holder." I normally get a hard cardboard lineup card and fold it in thirds. I clip the pen to my pocket.

Different strokes, I guess....

"Different strokes ..." is fine, Rich. But obviously you do not sweat heavily, like I do. Anything I'd have in pants pockets would be soaked, and a shirt pocket would be wetter. I'll keep mine in a holder that's in a ball bag.

As for a manufacturer's logo/emblem on the shirt - OK, no problem. I prefer the Cliff Keen shirts. I think the most durable shirt I've got is one of my older ISC shirts - made by "AIS" with a small flying 'A' logo on a sleeve.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I have never used a "lineup card holder." I normally get a hard cardboard lineup card and fold it in thirds. I clip the pen to my pocket.

Different strokes, I guess....

White pads in the mask, too?

I use a lineup card holder. someone "borrowed" my holder I got at my last national, so for a time I used one of those handy insurance card/registration things for your car. A little large...in fact due to a misunderstanding it got me in a lot of hot water...but it served its purpose.

I have been on both sides of this fence. Loved those pockets when I was doing "just" baseball, but I like having it in my card holder in my pocket. Anytime I "just fold it up," that's what it looks like...and that looks like $hit.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

White pads in the mask, too?

I use a lineup card holder. someone "borrowed" my holder I got at my last national, so for a time I used one of those handy insurance card/registration things for your car. A little large...in fact due to a misunderstanding it got me in a lot of hot water...but it served its purpose.

I have been on both sides of this fence. Loved those pockets when I was doing "just" baseball, but I like having it in my card holder in my pocket. Anytime I "just fold it up," that's what it looks like...and that looks like $hit.

Actually, I wear a helmet most of the time, but I think my mask (+POS AUL300) pads are tan. But if I wanted blue, red, or whatever, I wouldn't get any grief for wearing them. It's a mask. Again, I only work baseball now.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Actually, I wear a helmet most of the time, but I think my mask (+POS AUL300) pads are tan. But if I wanted blue, red, or whatever, I wouldn't get any grief for wearing them. It's a mask. Again, I only work baseball now.

Exactly. A sport where the uniform isn't expected to be "uniform". A game where coaches don't expect the professionalism of their umpires to be displayed by their uniform, equipment, or mechanics. An association of officials who display their individualism, rather than their unity.

Thanks for coming over here to remind me why I stopped working baseball years ago. Well, one of the reasons; not to forget the 3 hour games watching pitchers trying to pick off runners almost standing on the bag, the sheer boredom of all the delay and downtime, the whiney players, and the ridiculous attitudes of the coaches.

[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

White pads in the mask, too?

I use a lineup card holder. someone "borrowed" my holder I got at my last national, so for a time I used one of those handy insurance card/registration things for your car. A little large...in fact due to a misunderstanding it got me in a lot of hot water...but it served its purpose.

Here's a story I'd like to hear

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

Here's a story I'd like to hear

TC,
If BK's car insurance holder is like mine, It's bright red and larger than a lineup card holder. I don't think Mike would care, but I know a who lot of others that I think would care & would make a notation.

[UMP 64]

I have 4 different mfg.s shirts of whick I like the Cliff Kleen and the super-soft shirts from www.theofficialschoice.com. The shirts are great quality, soft & cool for summer time, and they have a long sleeve shirt that is nice for the cool to cold days. Pricer are "right" too. Try one, you will like it. As a suggestion, do not have them put the number's on. Have it done somewhere locally. That part I was unhappy with. Other wise, great shirts.