I am just glad I didn't chime in with what I thought the "peaks" were that were being referred to in this thread. :)

Scott,

Get your mind out of the gutter. It's getting too crowded in here. ;) :D :p

I gotta admit, I had simialr thoughts about peaks - or was it peeks?:cool:

I think that women not having to wear the proper uniform because they might mess up their hair is about the dumbest thing Iv'e ever heard. If you are an umpire - be an umpire.

Thank God, I'm getting this one out of the way.

Rachel is correct. If you are an umpire, you are an umpire and should wear the prescribed uniform.

HOWEVER, the hat isn't the issue with women umpires. It is shoes, pants and shirts. Only recently have there been some break throughs on behalf of those who manufacture and sell uniforms for umpires acknowledging a woman's need for a different fit and sizes. But from what I understand, it just isn't enough.

I would think that there could be an issue with protective equipment also. A chest protector isn't a one-size-fits-all thing for men, so I can only assume it is that much more difficult for women to find a good, comfortable piece of equipment.

It is almost impossible to find real plate shoes if your feet are smaller.

I would not be caught wearing the pants anywhere but the field. I buy mens' pants and have them altered and they are not the best but that is the uniform.

Many of the shirts come down to about mid thigh and need to be trimmed up.

I use the Schutt protector and that is great. I had an "ump" and it made me look like the Michelin Man. I actually tried the Honigs K2 but that did not protect the right areas.

Women can look the part however. There are a few male umpires that don't fit so well into their uniforms either.:D

Now you've made me hungry for that pie shop out there.

Maybe next spring before I am out there.

And for you Northern Exposure fans, I could run out to Roslyn at the same time.

I agree with Rachel about the shoes for women. My girlfriend found a pair of size 6 plate shoes and wears some real heavy socks - they seem to work great. She wears the K2 and hasn't had any problems. She has longer hair so her big problem is wearing a hat with the pony tail. Our state association has given the ladies in our state permission to wear adjustable hats instead of the fitted had so their pony tail can fit through the "hole" in the back. Other than that, she has no problem with the prescribed uniform.