I am a umpire in Nebraska who does both ASA and NFHS. We do ASA in spring and summer and NFHS in late summer and fall. We recently received a newsletter from Nebraska ASA which stated that the only color combination for our uniforms can be --- navy shirts need to be worn if gray pants are worn --- light blue shirts need to be worn with navy pants. Our State tourneys always had required that we wear navy blue pants with light blue shirts. All umpires that I know, which are many, prefer to wear gray pants because they are way!!! cooler and don't look so dusty after a few games. In our local games, we wore gray pants with light blue shirts which were smart looking and practical. What do other states require? It looks like we will have to throw out some $$$ for new navy shirts, which I can't believe would be that cool. By the way, I have umpired NFHS since 1996 and the uniform combination has never changed. (Gray slacks and light blue shirts) Thanks, Dave

IL ASA is light blue shirt navy pants

Dave,

The light over navy blue and the dark blue over grey are the official ASA uniform combos. Odds are at the NC level, the dark over grey will be a nighttime-only uniform if used at all.

To be honest with you, I think the color of the pants as it relates to the heat is extremely overrated. While the navy blue pants will show dust, they easily brush off between games. The grey easily shows any moisture which cannot be easily brushed off. I wear both uniforms and prefer the light over navy.

Texas use to have the option of Navy or Light Blue shirts.
This year the NFHS changed that. The <b>Note</b> portion of
Rule 10-4 Art 2, was deleted. So now only the Light [power]
blue shirt with gray slacks will be worn.

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glen

In Metro Phoenix and, I believe, the rest of AZ, the ASA uniform is light blue over grey for all games.

Mike - I have worn both the grey and navy pants during day games here in our wonderful desert heat and thought that there was a noticable difference in the heat index with the navy pants being warmer.

This was a couple of years ago, but when I did ASA in North Dakota, we always wore the light blue shirt and either navy shorts, navy pants, or grey pants. We could wear any combination as long as both umpires in the two-man crew wore the same thing.

Maybe it depends on the humidity. Hell, more than half the umpires I've talked to from you side of the country think the powder blue mesh pullovers are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Many in the East think they suck. I'd rather be back in the buttoned Elbeco.

However, only two things really keep you cooler, a bottle/thermos of cold water and staying off the infield.

JMHO,

Nah,

The cream colored shirt is the greatest!!!!!

glen

Trenton New Jersey is hot and humid day and night all summer, so every ump I know here hates the mesh pullover and wishes we had the Elbeco back. ASA has them for sale for $5, but they're out of XL, the most common size.

The best shirt I have ever worn is the POS+ all-cotton, in either plate size or base size. But they don't make a light blue one, just a navy with red and white trim like the Fed baseball or dark ASA shirt. It's heavy cotton, but very high quality and soft.

Wearing that polyester mesh is the tactile equivalent of hearing fingernails on a blackboard.

In my experience, the navy long pants from ASA pill too much. The shorts don't seem to have that problem.

Im my first year of officiating about 10 years ago, I'm on the field in my by the book ASA uniform, powder blue shirt, navy shorts, the high ASA socks with the blue stripes, and my navy hat. About the third inning of this game a little boy up in the stands, must of been about 5 or 6, turns to his mommy and says "mommy, why is there a mailman on the field?" It got a laugh from everyone there.

Going for comfort and not looks here.

Gotta go with Powder Blue Pullover and Grey Pants. A close second is Red Pullover w/Grey. Third Place goes to Cream and Grey. For night ball, Dark Blue and Grey followed by Black and Grey.

We personally can not stand Blue Pants....I guess it's a Illinois thing as none of the umpires we know like Blue Pants.

As for Elbeco's....You could not pay us enough to go back to them. We burned ours the first chance we got.

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Totally agree. :D

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glen

I think it is kind of amusing how we seem to be one step behind pro umpires in our dress code-- anyways-- I too am glad they ditched the
Elbeco shirts-- they were horrible, no wicking property at all--
BUt
why can't someone come up with something a little
more lightweight than the current ASA shirts ???

The Elbecos allowed air to get between the shirt and the body, the new pull-over does not. I really don't care about any "wicking" property as by the time that becomes important, you are already too hot.

However, the Elbecos look terrible when they get wet.

The Mizuno shirt which is used by ISF is a very open weave and allows the air to get under the shirt. ASA needs to move to a similar design.

Do not look for ASA to move away from the blue pants anytime soon. The powder over the navy is damn near considered an ASA trademark, but you never really know.

Also, I could care less what pro umpires wear. Personally, I've seen crews out there in different uniforms and they look terrible. Even in the minors where you would think they would try to keep a bit more uniformity, umpires are not wearing the same shoes, shirts, t-shirt or jackets while working the same game.

I think the pros should start worrying less about fashion statements and more about the game. Looking sharp only helps until the first pitch and then it means nothing.

JMHO,

In Texas, it would seem that the blue pants have become a thing of the past regardless of the national mandate. I have called ASA ball at several different locales here in North Texas, and haven't even seen the old navy blues in over two years. I must say that I am one of the crowd that doesn't miss them either. They were far less comfortable, and for my money no where as neat looking as the heather greys.

Scott

I know that in 2001 they were still wearing navy pants in College Station (Texas) ASA chapter. I imagine they still are if that is the official ASA uniform.

Ronald,

Did or do you work with S. Miller or T. Hix by chance. I am from
East Texas, Beaumont chapter.

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glen

Whiskers,

If T.Hix is Terry Hicks, then I worked with him a couple of times and he was a UIC for a July 4th tournament I did. The College Station group gets there fair share of regional and national tournaments. they also get to do a lot of southland and some of their umps do Big 12. They have the connections but it is a hard club to break into (they recruit from their members). I know some really good umps from Houston did not get selected at college tryouts. Also worked with Don Burbank and the other guys from Huntsville since I lived there for two years.

Also worked a lot in the Cypress area at the girls fastpitch field. Also did Mens fastpitch on the 40 and over league. Got to ump some really competitive games. Doing mens makes doing girls a cakewalk. They can't touch the movement and speed of the men's. You gotta be on your toes cause they have no mercy on poor umps. You know that near Beaumont, there is the Bayton A's mens fastpitch team. That area is also strong in AFA, isn't it. Do you work with Donnie Beck and those guys?

I moved to DC, NVA, baltimore area in June 2002 but the ball does not compare with the Texas ball. A lot of the A teams her are not much better than some of the good B teams in TX. Very few teams here could compete with the traveling teams in Texas.

ronald,

Yes, I work with Donnie Beck. Have done 5 18U Nationals that
he was running. T. Hix was for Terry. Worked a college show case
tournament with him in Nacogdoches this year. Several other
people from College Station. I worked most of that day with a
James Brau [sp].

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glen

Whiskers,

I've worked with James I think. He's kind of young and big if I remember right. Regarding the show case, is that for college teams in the fall or the 18U. If you worked with Donnie, then you probably know Tony Torres. He assigns Juco around Houston at least he did in 2002 but you probably knew that. Do you do Junior College?

ronald,

That is correct...His father also works ASA, USSSA, NSA,
and NFHS. Have worked with both. I have done some
college. However, I do not do much...Really too busy with
AFA, ASA, USSSA, NSA, NFHS, LL and some Pony. I register
with several chapters. Work with Joe Mennick, Mike Grogan,
Steph Miller and others that you probaly know...Do you do
AFA? Most of the college I call is during *show tournaments.*
Gold 18U's being looked at. Not registered with any of the
conferences. Have worked some scrimmages for USL, McNeese,
SFA, and Sam Houston.

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glen

I know Joe and worked with him too. I've never done AFA though I know it has its niche in your area. You are working too much with all those conferences. Wow?

I guess all of y'all will come to the conclusion that Mike and I bleed ASA blue, but so be it! I still like the powder blue Elbeco shirt, white crew neck T-shirt, black shined belt, all black shined shoes and the NAVY slacks. I believe we embodied the ASA when we wore it, and looked the sharpest when we had the shirts starched and military pressed for tournaments. The powder blue pull over golf type shirt----UGH! ASA umpires still looked better than any other umpires with the Elbeco uniform.

I don't think that there's ever been any argument that a military pressed Elbeco is a great looking shirt. My problem with the Elbeco shirts has always been that I sweat enough that they look rumpled quickly. And while I think the grey trousers are a little cooler, I've got the same sweat problem - on a hot day I'll look like I had a bladder problem when I wear the greys.

Steve M

South Dakota's uniform used to be the gray pants with the Elbeco - now we've switched to navy pants and Powder Blue polyester shirt to match the national level. Fortunately, our state UIC finally started allowing us to wear the navy shorts for state tournaments the last five/six years with the short ASA socks. It definately has been a blessing to be able to wear the shorts, but I have to agree with those that hate the "new" powder blue shirts - but if you wear Under Armour underneath, it helps as far as the wicking goes and until you wear something that wicks, you will never go back to the white cotton T.

SDUMP,

Oops! I forgot to tell you that I only call FP ball and have done so exclusively since 1995. I used to wear the navy shorts with the white striped with navy socks and the Elbeco when I called SP. By the way, as a favor to a friend, I did call 1 night of Men's SP last season, and I was bored to tears by the 2nd game. Yawn! The whiners drove me insane! Waiting on the pefect pitch and then walking. Give me a break! Hit the ball and run!
Sorry SP fans, it was fine when I called it, and I mostly enjoyed the Men's teams, but once you're away from it for a while, well you read it.

Take Care!

Elaine,

You have hit it on the head with slow pitch batters. Do they ever wait for the perfect pitch. I did some games in Texas and could not believe how many players walked or had 3-2 counts. when I played and when I get a chance to play, I generally swing at the first strike. god help the pitcher who throws me anything hitable inside: I'm swinging and it does not matter if it is a strike. I'm gonna crush that ball. I've seen the big boys play and they do the same thing. If it is not on the table, they do not swing. It's pathetic.

Yep Ronald, I did the same thing when I played SP. I hit the first hittable pitch that was thrown. The only time I (or my oldest daughter that played exclusively SP) ever walked was when the pitcher was pitiful! Of course, walking in a coed SP game was an advantage at times.

Steve...

I look that way no matter what I am wearing, grey or navy or, (in the case of the old USSSA uniform) black, any time from late April through October in these parts. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk...oling_anim.gif

Elaine....

I hafta agree with your synopsis of SP. I called four games last summer as a favor, and it was all I could do to stay awake as well. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/sleep2.gif(And you want to talk about whining...of course this was in a beer ball league.)

Scott