Equipment

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Never heard of this. Maybe it is partictular to specific state. It is not the case in Michigan, but you can't just show up in anything.

What I have heard from some of the ASA honchos around here is that at a recent National Championship, the shade of heather gray on some umpires pants was noticeably different. They want all umpires at a national championship event to all purchase their pants from the same vendor so that the uniforms look...well, uniform.

What they did not consider, however, was the umpire that tries to get 10 years out of a pair of pants. If her shows up at a national championship and is asked about his pink-shaded, faded out gray pants, he can still say that he bought them from ASA and meet the requirement.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Andy

What I have heard from some of the ASA honchos around here is that at a recent National Championship, the shade of heather gray on some umpires pants was noticeably different. They want all umpires at a national championship event to all purchase their pants from the same vendor so that the uniforms look...well, uniform.

What they did not consider, however, was the umpire that tries to get 10 years out of a pair of pants. If her shows up at a national championship and is asked about his pink-shaded, faded out gray pants, he can still say that he bought them from ASA and meet the requirement.

But they're politically correct - nevermind.

I have found - with ball bags - that the same color is probably going to be different, unless they have come from the same "lot" (I think that's the right term) of fabric. So, when I buy ball bags, I will buy two of a kind, at a time.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by Andy

What I have heard from some of the ASA honchos around here is that at a recent National Championship, the shade of heather gray on some umpires pants was noticeably different. They want all umpires at a national championship event to all purchase their pants from the same vendor so that the uniforms look...well, uniform.

What they did not consider, however, was the umpire that tries to get 10 years out of a pair of pants. If her shows up at a national championship and is asked about his pink-shaded, faded out gray pants, he can still say that he bought them from ASA and meet the requirement.

Andy, there was also commentary and general agreement that the grey pants will be policed a little better at Nationals. (Not that they should be worn at Nationals in the first place...but thats another can of worms....)

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Andy

...the umpire that tries to get 10 years out of a pair of...pink-shaded, faded out gray pants,...

I doesn't take anywhere near 10 years. After 2 seasons, the gray under the belt is darker. After 5 or so, they are starting to go noticeably pinkish brown. And, this is in MN. Heaven knows how quickly it happens in the year-round season / desert sun of Phoenix!

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I doesn't take anywhere near 10 years. After 2 seasons, the gray under the belt is darker. After 5 or so, they are starting to go noticeably pinkish brown. And, this is in MN. Heaven knows how quickly it happens in the year-round season / desert sun of Phoenix!

I'm not in a year-round area either and I don't get anywhere near 10 years.
I may get 8 years out of the navy's, but the last couple of years I only wear them for league play. I might get 4-5 years out of the grays. I'll usually buy 1 plate and 1 base pair of each color each year.

[Scooby]

If someone comes to a national tourney and looks bad, deal with them. You don't need to make a new rule for everyone.

[DaveASA/FED]

Scooby,
I agree 100% but in my limited National experience (3 years) there are some local umpires that are in the good old boy club....Local UIC, or assistant UIC just won't piss off the local guy. Ya they mention in premeetings to look sharp, but guy shows up in pleated dress pants more of a light gray not even heather and nothing is said to him, or at least he continued to wear these pants the entire tourney. Maybe that has prompted ASA to "be the bad guy" and make the rule, again a cop out deal with the issues and leave everyone else alone!!! But again those few rotten apples make someone create a rule. I also agree with the 10, or maybe 20 year old pants that have were purchased from ASA way back when that should have been retired years ago....it WILL happen, and still nothing will be said. It might help with the people who wear normal dress pants with triple pleats in the front, but there will always be someone who skimps on clothes. Like Steve mentioned rotate your gear, it is an investment. But some still will strive to get as much for as little as possible. ok sorry I will get off my soap box

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

...Ya they mention in premeetings to look sharp, but guy shows up in pleated dress pants more of a light gray not even heather... Maybe that has prompted ASA to "be the bad guy" and make the rule, ...But again those few rotten apples make someone create a rule. ...there will always be someone who skimps on clothes.

Let me be sure I understand this...

ASA is trying to deal with people who already do not follow the ASA rule on uniforms by passing another rule???

Sounds to me like it will be just as effective as gun control laws. Those who were already law (rule) abiding will follow the law (rule), and those who were already violating the law (rule) will continue to do so.

Brilliant.

[greymule]

Sounds to me like it will be just as effective as gun control laws.

The problem is often ignorance of the law. For example, the Omaha shopping mall where several people were recently shot and killed was a "gun-free zone," but no signs to that effect had been posted anywhere. The possible alleged suspected perpetrator is now dead, but imagine his chagrin if he had been captured only to find out that he had shot up a gun-free zone!

So ballfields need posted signs informing umpires of proper dress.

Washington, DC, is much smarter. In the train station, you will see the following sign above the ticket counter:

"Attention! You are in a crime watch zone. When approached by an officer, drop your weapon and raise your hands over your head."

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Let me be sure I understand this...

You don't.

ASA is trying to deal with people who already do not follow the ASA rule on uniforms by passing another rule???

No.

The sole purpose of this "procedural" change was to maintain a sense of order, consistency and uniformity. The issue was the multi-shades of grey.

It was determined through discussion that the only way to insure it would not be an issue in the future was to dictate the vendor. Obviously, they designated ASA Merchandise. However, that is not bad since they sell Fechheimers which, in my experience, hold up well.

There will ALWAYS be those who read the uniform information and think THEY KNOW BETTER and that he couldn't have meant this or that THAT'S NICE, but it doesn't apply to me type of folks.

I even included the statement in my letter that the uniform requirements were not suggestions, but mandatory. I still had a couple of folks who just didn't get it. I had one guy who had US flags sewn on all his shirts and couldn't understand why I had a problem with that. Luckily, he was local and borrowed his sons shirts. Nice guy, decent umpire, but just didn't understand that you cannot do whatever you want when you need to be uniform with the group.