ASA Hats/Shirts

BretMan · #1 (**permalink**) Sun Mar 29, 2009, 10:33pm

The weird thing is that I have some ASA shirts I put in the dryer that now have pink buttons, and others I put in the dryer that do not! Wasn't it determined that some shirts a few years ago just happened to have a bad batch of buttons and those turned pink no matter what you did. If I recall, the problem was corrected and there shouldn't be a problem with shirts sold since then.

Buying umpire gear over the internet without the benefit of trying it on always seems to be a dicey proposition, no matter who makes or sells the stuff. This certainly isn't just an ASA problem. I've run into problems with other brands and other retailers.

ASA shirts seem to fit me about the same as any Cliff Keen shirt I've ever worn- not really too tight, but a little on the snug side when compared to some other brands. They're not what I would call a "generous" fit.

Hats are a crap shoot. I have quite a few Richardson hats I like that are the same size, so I felt confident ordering the same size again over the internet. The last one I got was so loose that it would literally start to fall off my head if I bent over forward!

Every single pair of umpire pants I've tried on has felt too tight to me if I try the same size I wear in jeans or dress slacks- Fecheimer pants so much that they cannot even be buttoned. I always have to go a size up to get a comfortable fit.

Luckily, there is an umpire supply store in my city and I can try some things on before buying. Also, our local ASA UIC carries a good selection of merchandise and brings her stock to most meetings and tournaments.

While the internet can offer a great variety and convenience, it's not so convenient when you wind up having to ship the stuff back when it doesn't fit! There is, unfortunately, a little trial and error involved in finding gear that works for you. Even then, once you find something that works, some products have so much variation in sizes that you never know what you'll get until you receive it and try it on.

Some of you may have seen this on the baseball forum. If not, it might be an interesting read:

Umpire Shirt Comparison

IRISHMAFIA · #2 (**permalink**) Sun Mar 29, 2009, 11:00pm

it's the detergent.

Skahtboi · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 08:32am

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

it's the detergent.

I don't think so. My wife hasn't changed detergent since I don't know when (we have been together 18 years), and as I stated above the newer ones haven't had the buttons fade like the older ones did. And the older ones did it in the first year!

Stu Clary · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 08:49am

I bought 4 powder blue shirts last year. The buttons on two of them turned purple, two did not. My uniforms are always dried on the clothesline. ASA sent me replacement buttons.

------------------------------------------

So I was working adult coed games last night. A guy I know is getting ready to play the next game. He asked me where I got my shirt. (huh? I figured he was F-ing with me) Turns out his real first name (he goes by a different name) is Asa.

IRISHMAFIA · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 31, 2009, 12:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I don't think so. My wife hasn't changed detergent since I don't know when (we have been together 18 years), and as I stated above the newer ones haven't had the buttons fade like the older ones did. And the older ones did it in the first year!

When everyone was complaining about the "pink" buttons, I had no problems with mine. Always washed my uniforms together, shirt, pants, hat. I litterally undressed in front of the washer and everything, but the shoes went into the washer. Used a mild detergent and always machine dried. No problem with the buttons.

Then I lent a couple to an umpire who worked a National in either Killeen or McAllen. When he returned the shirts, they were clean, but the buttons were now pink. His wife, who was my friend before I ever met him, apparently uses a detergent with a bleach-like additive.

While your doubts may be actual, I have no reason to believe it is anything, but the detergent.

NCASAUmp · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 31, 2009, 12:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I litterally undressed in front of the washer and everything, but the shoes went into the washer.

Mike, I was about to go get some lunch, but I think I'll need to wait a few before doing so after reading this...

IRISHMAFIA · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 31, 2009, 12:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Mike, I was about to go get some lunch, but I think I'll need to wait a few before doing so after reading this...

Why? Do you eat at a laundramat?

NCASAUmp · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Mar 31, 2009, 01:02pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Why? Do you eat at a laundramat?

Not at yours after game day!

Dakota · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 08:51am

Quote:

Originally Posted by BretMan

...Some of you may have seen this on the baseball forum. If not, it might be an interesting read:

Umpire Shirt Comparison

I read that, and it lost all credibility when it rated the Honigs shirts so high. I realize Honigs probably sells different grades of shirts, but I bought a couple of Honigs shirts for high school ball a few years ago. Crappy shirts. They looked bad after just a few wearings / washings. Fabric fuzzes up, does not look sharp at all, not to mention that obnoxious logo on the back.

SethPDX · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 03:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota

I read that, and it lost all credibility when it rated the Honigs shirts so high. I realize Honigs probably sells different grades of shirts, but I bought a couple of Honigs shirts for high school ball a few years ago. Crappy shirts. They looked bad after just a few wearings / washings. Fabric fuzzes up, does not look sharp at all, not to mention that obnoxious logo on the back.

The collars on my old ones did get like that, but they have switched the collar material. Honig's is the first place I go for everything and I like their uniforms.

As for the logo, I never had a problem with it, but the shirt I bought this year has the logo on a small patch that is sewn onto the back under the collar. Now you could cut the patch off if you wanted to.

umpirebob71 · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 04:01pm

I've been buying merchandise from Honig's for 14 years for both softball and football, and I have never had a problem with anything. If I could buy ASA merchandise from them, I would.

Dakota · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 04:28pm

Sorry to dump on everyone's favorite vendor. I like them, too. Great service, etc. However, that does not change the fact that the shirts I bought from them were crappy and are a walking ad for Honigs with the embroidered logo on the back. I only wear them for sub-varsity games unless I have no other choice, and I won't buy more.

SethPDX · #13 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 09:31pm

It's okay. Everyone has a preferred shirt. And baseball guys know about shirts with all the different ones they have!

JefferMC · #14 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 30, 2009, 02:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BretMan

Some of you may have seen this on the baseball forum. If not, it might be an interesting read:

Umpire Shirt Comparison

He kept talking about the prick test. Does that mean that the buttons turn pink if you're a prick?

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