Fast pitch questions

[Dakota]

Elaine,

Are you sure the plate cap is not legal in ASA? I can't find anywhere where ASA specifies the size of the bill on the cap. (I don't wear them, but I think they are legal.) Maybe it is just your local rule?



Dave,

The ASA, and any local association, etc., has a right to specify our uniforms so that we look, well, uniform!


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[shipwreck]

Looking good and professional are a good thing but sometimes I think some of the regs are way too picky. Most everytime I work with someone or watch a different game, their pants are not the EXACT shade of gray. It doesn't distract or take away from the game at all. People are there to watch the game not us blues. We are all built different and have different looks. Some large, some small, some tall, some short. As long as they are dressed to match closely and the correct colors that should be fine. Dave

[Skahtboi]

Originally posted by Elaine "Lady Blue"
Guys with the 2 stitch---
These hats in ASA have not been legal for years!! Our UIC would string us up if he caught us wearing one. Besides, they looked retarded!!! Give them up, wear a combo.

Elaine:

Gee...no chance that anyone would ever call you opinionated or biased, is there?!

The 2 stitch plate cap is still quite legal in ASA, NFHS, USSSA and DSI. I don't know where you get your information from, but as was mentioned by another poster, while this may be a local rule it certainly doesn't hold true on the national level. It is hard to believe that one who is held to so much scrutiny as a fellow umpire, would hold those within their ranks to such harsh scrutiny by calling them "retarded" looking for simply wearing a part of the uniform that they are comfortable with and that is just as professional as "the combo."

I personally don't like the combo. I am not comfortable with it. Therefore, when I am behind the plate, I will wear the 2 stitch. I have called in several state tourneys and one national, and have never had this aspect of my uniform brought into question.

Join me now, all of you brother and sisters who are wearing the 2 stitch plate hat when you work a game: "We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome sommmmmeeeee daaaaaaa aaaaaaayyyyy."

Scott (who is fighting injustice and plate hat snobbery wherever he encounters it) has spoken.

[Edited by Skahtboi on Feb 15th, 2002 at 08:58 PM]

[Steve M]

Dave,
Yes, it is allowed and even advised that the plate ump have a throat protector.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

I hate the combo.........

I wear a 4 stitch for the plate.........

And a 8 stitch in the field.........

My Preference......

The prejudice for the 4 stitch over the 2 stitch came from my early days as a baseball umpire...(1979 to 1983).......in the local association that I called with (Junior Teenage and American Legion), the 2 stitch was frowned upon........I guess I have carried that prejudice into my softball umpiring.....

I have a couple of micro-mesh 8 stitch.......

I hope they will have them in 4 stitch this year.....

They are wonderful.......

I will still wear the wool in cool weather though....

Joel

http://www.eteamz.com/sites/gcbumpire



[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Feb 19th, 2002 at 04:02 PM]

[Dakota]

I think the bill on the 8 stitch is waaaay to long -- the back of my lawn chair lounger keeps knocking my hat off

I also perfer the adjustable to the fitted because the fitted part just looks goofy across my forehead.

[Edited by Dakota on Feb 16th, 2002 at 12:35 PM]

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota
When properly laundered and pressed, they looked much sharper than the mesh pullovers. JMO, of course. Starched with a "military" press, they looked very sharp.

Problem was, too many umpires seemed to just pull it from their bag, where it had been wadded up since the last game, even when occasionally washed, it had never seen starch or felt an iron since it left the factory. Those guys looked 1000x worse than the same guys using the same kind of garment care with the pullovers.

I do like the way I can get away with more casual garment care, even though I do lightly press even the pullovers. (No starch, tho).

BTW, since the ASA Officialgear.com still sells them as official ASA, I guess they are still allowed, subject to local rules.

I agree about the Elbeco. I always had mine pressed and ready to go. And it is possible to pull them out of your bag without looking too terrible if folded and stowed properly.

However, I can tell you the Elbeco is NOT official ASA gear for championship play. Your local association can do whatever it pleases without ASA's approval. However, once you get to a Regional level, leave them at home.

Many members of the National Staff made a statement last season. Many mailed their umpire crews for the Nationals to which they were assigned and told NOT to bring the Elbeco, that they would not be part of the uniform. Please note that last year, the Elbeco was still the "official" ASA uniform.

Locally, what I do not give to new umpires, I will probably continue to use when working alone or with a partner who will also wear one. I will never have a uniform which is not identical to my partner's no matter what level or where a game is played.

BTW, ASA sells many different things, but that does not make them part of the "official" uniform.

[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

Dave,

A throat protector is legal and advised. A chest protector on the outside of your shirt is an umpire faux paux. Don't
do it!

[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

I have not seen a 2 stitch anywhere in Region 4 since the mid 1980s and the Atlanta Metro UIC as well as the Commissioner said not to wear them. They were not allowed in any of the 5 Nationals I called. They are not for sale from the ASA National Office with the white letters outlined in light blue, so how are they legal? Are you ??? Or
am I? I don't know who your UIC was at Nationals, but 2 guys tried to wear one (2 stitch) and were told to put them in their bag. Most of us around here wear combos for everything as some think the 8 stitch look like duck bills.

I still think the 2 stitch look stupid, JMO, you can wear it if you want to, personally I think you stick with them because it's easier to remove your mask--also, we're not allowed to wear the mesh adjustable hats, either. Metro Atlanta Umpires as a whole always look professional, and call professionally due to our extensive training programs. Our former UIC Dick Gaylor, is now the Region 4 UIC. Georgia gets a hellva lot of tournament bids, and a lot of us call a lot of games.

If you are allowed to wear 2 stitch and mesh hats, ok. But,
if you are ever selected to call in the Metro Atlanta area,
leave them at home. I know for a fact that Norm from New England nor Bob Savoie will not let you wear a 2 stitch.

I'm not biased or opinionated except when I feel I'm right.

Nanny-nanny-boo-boo

[Edited by Elaine "Lady Blue" on Feb 19th, 2002 at 05:04 PM]

[shipwreck]

Hmm!!! let me get this straight. You say the 2 stitch looks stupid and shouldn't be worn. Also the 8 stitch looks stupid yet it CAN be worn. I think we are dealing with a double standard here. I can see the UIC not wanting an umpire to look sloppy (wrinkled shirt, unshined shoes, salt stains on their cap, etc...) but just because they don't like the looks of something... come on give me a break. Why don't they spend more time worrying about getting competent blues instead of nit picking the small stuff. JMO Dave

[Skahtboi]

And on top of all of this, we are completely ignoring the 6 stitch!

[mo99]

I do agree the combo hat looks so much more professional than the short billed caps.In fact I have even worn my field cap while working the plate.With good technique,the mask can be easily taken off while leaving the cap in place.Think of the top of the mask as a hinge,pull out and then up with your left hand and mask clears even a field stitch brim.I practiced in front of a mirror to perfect the technique until it became second nature. Jeff

[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

Thank you, Mo99!
And no one ever answered me where they can purchase a 2 stitch cap with the ASA letters outlined in light blue. Can't do it, can 'ya? I love it when I'm right!!

[shipwreck]

Didn't know we were talking about ASA exclusively. Dave

[Dakota]

Originally posted by shipwreck
Didn't know we were talking about ASA exclusively. Dave

Guys...

The topic of legality of the 2 stitch plate hat was an ASA topic. Elaine brought it up - she stated that the 2 stich has not been legal in ASA for years. This was disputed. Apparently, Elaine was right wrt ASA.

Of course, the stylishness of the 2 stitch was much broader that just ASA.