VHSL "uniforms"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

For the record, from the United States Flag Code: "(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations."

This is the reason I have never used a flag patch on my umpire uniform. We do not meet those requirements as sports officials. The blatant misuse of the flag by such organizations as ASA does not make it okay. It merely shows a lack of knowledge concerning the proper way to display a flag.

But you ran right past the important paragraph:

(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

There is not a spot on an athletic uniform that cannot be soiled or damaged, even that of an official.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

But you ran right past the important paragraph:

(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

There is not a spot on an athletic uniform that cannot be soiled or damaged, even that of an official.

Yeah, I skipped that because you had already thoroughly covered that issue, IMO.

[Publius]

I wish the ideals the flag is supposed to represent commanded even half the respect the icon seems to get.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

But you ran right past the important paragraph:

(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

There is not a spot on an athletic uniform that cannot be soiled or damaged, even that of an official.

And yet, military personnel and firemen are cited as people who can wear flag patches. So, who exposes those patches to adverse conditions more, sports officials or firemen?

Serious question: For those of you who adamantly oppose the Flag patch on umpire uniforms, how many of you do ASA ball, and have you removed the Flag off of the hat or gotten a customized ASA hat that doesn't have the Flag on it?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And yet, military personnel and firemen are cited as people who can wear flag patches. So, who exposes those patches to adverse conditions more, sports officials or firemen?

I never said I agree with everything. IMO, the flag is a flag and not a decoration on ANY clothing or apparel regardless of its purpose or who is wearing it.

Serious question: For those of you who adamantly oppose the Flag patch on umpire uniforms, how many of you do ASA ball, and have you removed the Flag off of the hat or gotten a customized ASA hat that doesn't have the Flag on it?

My discussion here is based on what is written and what I believe it means. Obviously, others do not agree and that is okay. I'm not so adamant that I don't understand when I'm in someone else's domain, I play by their rules or go home.

It is not unusual to see me wearing an ASA hat without a flag locally. When I work Championship Play, I change hats often, keeping what sweat there may be to a minimum and the hat as clean as possible. At the end of the game/day, the hat is folded and stored properly after cleaning.

A few years back, an umpire showed up at a national with his ASA shirts adorned with a flag on each sleeve. He was local and was a little disturbed when I informed him that he could not work in those shirts. Turns out that every shirt in his closet had at least two flags on them. He had to borrow his son's (also an umpire) shirts.

I think that is another problem some people have. They have appropriated the adjective "uniform" as a noun.