Uniform
 

I just got an e-mail from one of the guys I assign and I don't have a book handy.

He wants to know if he can wear shorts for his 1 umpire games today.

He mentioned either grey or black shorts.

I've never worn shorts to do a game, so I'm not up on the requirements. My foggy memory thinks only navy shorts w/ required knee socks. And obviously, w/ navy shorts, only powder blue shirt.

Yeah?

Shorts in Slo-Pitch, no problem. Fast Pitch, no way. And, Yes, they are navy only, as far as I know. I don't do slow pitch, so I'm guessing.

Yes, the games are co-ed 'sno-pitch.

I had a 2008 PDF version of ASA rules and checked it there. No mention of shorts w/ knee socks at all. Not sure where I read that now.

We wore navy shorts for local ASA slo-pitch games back in central NY. Wore with white ankle sox. Never wore them the one year I did ASA down here.

The current rule book makes no mention of shorts, and I couldn't find anything on the ASA website. But the official ASA uniform and equipment retailer, Official Gear, does carry the navy shorts in its catalog. Seems to me that's an implicit endorsement by ASA that the shorts are still an authorized uniform. :)

In Texas, I've worked fastpitch tourneys where they let us wear short on the bases. I'm never comfortable in them, but when it's 105 out there, I'll take it if they tell us to wear them.

Isn't consistency great??? :rolleyes:

:eek:

Seriously, I can handle 105 on the bases in my long grays (I have yet to wear long navies in a game in my life). It's the PU who really needs the relief, and wearing shorts back there in FP would obviously look stupid unless you're like some of my colleagues who won't wear shin guards or plate shoes. If he/she has to go with the longs, so will I.

Getting back to the OP, though, I'm really surprised that the rule book is mum on shorts for SP. I saw a colleague last night wearing them with the white anklet ASA-logoed socks and black shoes (and, yes, the powder blue shirt and navy hat). Why white socks, I have no idea.

Locally, we are allowed to wear navy shorts with powder blue shirt and white ankle socks for slo-pitch league play only. For Tournament slo-pitch, we are required to wear long navy pants (and that's hot in the middle of July).

The guy who allows this uses the Plate/Base/Off rotation, so you work one tough one, then work the bases in shorts, then off.

I admit I feel strange wearing the shorts. But if you're working 6 games of 9 and it's 105 most of the day, I suspect it helps some.

And since we're talking colors... the best look here is the cream shirt with black pants/socks.

But they also carry hats and shirts with no logo, red shirts and black shirts...;)

Especially after a long day in the 100's with wind blowing the infield dirt around! Yellow on cream is SO attractive! :D

Frankly, the construction of the shirt (i.e. how well it breathes, how well it wicks) is much more significant to keeping cool than the color.

FINALLY, someone else who knows! :cool:

The construction of this shirt is a more important factor...

And I have more than one shirt of whatever color we might be wearing. No shirt gets worn for more than 2 games...

That said... if you don't notice the difference between black and cream, you're crazy. Heck, I don't like wearing Navy if powder blue is an option on those really hot days.