Local Umpires Particpate in Photo Shoot

Umpires Clarence Coleman (left) and Todd Saxey (right) recently became models for a day during a recent professional photo shoot. We've been wanting to feature local umpires wearing our umpire gear selection for some time now, and we asked 2 of our best customers from the KBUA (Kentuckiana Baseball Umpire Association) if they'd like to participate.




Todd umpires high school and youth leagues and is the umpire trainer for South Oldham Little League.

Clarence has been umpiring for over 30 years doing college and high school and is also the KBUA assigner. Both men also officiate basketball.

Not only did these guys do a great job striking their poses, but we had a lot of fun as well. Judging by the quality of the 30+ photos we've used already, professional models could not have done a better job.

See a sampling of some here and look for them throughout many of our baseball/softball product pages for more.

Big thanks to Ray Turner of Photography by Ray for being so accommodating and such a pro and to Sherry Spalding, our marketing assistant, for making the right calls in putting it all together.

Ultimate Pro Style Umpire Ball Bag Receiving High Marks from Customers

When Ump-Attire started in 1997, one of its first products was the Ultimate Umpire's Ball Bag. Initially, the ball bag with its over-sized shape and elastic front were made especially for softball umpires. However, umpires from both softball and baseball soon came to appreciate the bag for its one unique feature, the separate zippered compartment in the back to store keys, wallet, bandages or whatever you needed.

With the continuing trend in baseball umpiring to look more professional and consistent at all levels, it became apparent to us that the "Ultimate" Ball Bag needed a pro style shape. After a year in development that included field testing and revisions based on customer feedback, we launched the new "Ultimate Pro Style Umpire Ball Bag" with the popular zippered compartment and the added features of a heavier weight fade-resistant polyester twill fabric and waterproof lining on the inner part of the bag.

The reception so far has been remarkable. I first took one sample of each color to the NCAA Umpire Clinic in Chicago. Umpires there overwhelmingly liked the look, feel and features.

After having these available only a few weeks, many reviews on the new Ultimate Pro Style Ball Bag are already coming in. Here is a sample of what customers are saying:

"I'm very impressed with the appearance, quality and workmanship of the Ultimate Pro."

"They are outstanding quality. The sewing workmanship is very good. I tugged firmly at the corners where the bag opens (that's the test for me) and the seams are very strong. No pulling or stretching... There can be no legitimate criticism of this ball bag... The price is also very competitive with any other ball bag out there... I don't think anyone will be disappointed in this ball bag. I know I am not."

"Yours is now the only one with any heft to it. I am very glad you continued the zippered compartment. I put an extra indicator, money and my car beeper in there. There is never a worry about losing any of that stuff.... Your zippered pouch is the total answer to putting money and valuables into a secure location..."

See March Referee Magazine Ad

Just received the March '09 issue of Referee Magazine and was excited to see our first full page ad in the popular publication. Last year, we focused mostly on classified ads. If you subscribe, this year you'll find a graphical ad from us much more often.

Featuring new baseball/softball items, you can view the March ad below if you don't receive the magazine or if you missed it.

Facebook Fan Page Launched for Ump-Attire.com

Facebook has become the largest online social networking destination. I've been a big fan of Facebook since last year. It's an excellent way to communicate with friends and family.

If you're on Facebook, you'll be excited to know you can now become a fan of Ump-Attire.com. This is the first Facebook fan page for an umpire/referee sporting goods store. As a fan, you can do some things you've never been able to do before. Post comments, news about you, questions, reviews and even your own photos and videos. It would be great to be able to see photos of some of our customers while on the field or court.

Interact, network and get to know other umpires (and referees) through wall postings and a discussion board in a friendly, non-intimidating environment.

Invite each of your colleagues, whether they are a current customer or not, to join in and become a fan as well.... the more the merrier.

We'll also send out to our fans some Facebook only offers from time-to-time.

I'm excited about the potential of our Facebook fan page, especially how it can be shaped extensively by our customers and not solely buy us. With our website and blog, we are able to exhibit full control over content. With the new fan page, everyone else has the control through the ability to create content and interact.

So become a fan today and be involved in something that is the first of its kind.

Memorable UMPS CARE Golf Classic Experienced

UMPS CARE Charities, the official charity of Major League Baseball umpires, recently held the 4th Annual UMPS CARE Charities Golf Classic on January 22, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over 150 golfers joined foursomes at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club that included not just umpires, but also some current and former Major League players such as Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, Matt Herges and Mark Grace.

Over $75,000 was raised from the event to support UMPS CARE Charities youth programs, including Build-A-Bear Workshops® for hospitalized children coping with cancer, as well as tickets to big league baseball games for children awaiting adoption.

We are proud to be a small part in that amount through our Long Drive Sponshorship and pushing our customers to the online auction that accompanied the event.

TED BARRETT AND HIS FEARLESS FIVE
I was fortunate enough to land in a fivesome for the scramble format that included MLB Umpire Ted Barrett. No, not for his playing ability. One got a great sense from observing his interaction with other umpires that Ted is one of the most well-liked among them.

His resume is certainly the most unique as the only MLB umpire who is also an ordained minister... not to mention he also rides a Harley and once competed as an amateur boxer. As our leader that day, he made sure we enjoyed ourselves throughout the less-than-stellar golf performance. Thanks Ted. Read more about Ted here.


Another member of our fivesome, Brian Hommel, who is the Arizona Diamondbacks chaplain, is also a notable mention as he played baseball at the University of Louisville. So we enjoyed an "it's-a-small-world" moment. Actually, I couldn't have chosen 4 nicer guys to spend a half a day with chasing around little white balls.


MLB UMPIRES
I enjoyed getting to meet and talk with many of the MLB Umpires, probably about one-third of the 68 on the roster. For one, I appreciated talking umpire gear with Joe West, inventor of the Wilson West Vest Equipment.

Also, I was able to talk personally with Kerwin Danley about exactly what happened with his injury last year and his transition to a hockey style helmet after his hit last year. Read my previous blog about this.

One thing I learned from talking with umpires such as Lexington, Kentucky resident Sam Holbrook was that there are more MLB umpires from Kentucky than any other state but Michigan. I was not aware of that.

Other umpires who made an impression for one reason or another included younger guys Marvin Hudson, Jeff Nelson, Alfonso Marquez, Tim Timmons, Fieldin Culbreth and Eric Cooper and veterans such as Ed Rapuano, Tim Tschida and Gary Darling.

THANKS AND LINKS
A special thanks to Gary for his hospitality at the pre-event get-together the night before. And a big thank you to Samuel Dearth, director of UMPS CARES, for the wonderfully planned event. I look forward to next year.

UMPS CARE Links: Post Event Summary | More Photos
MLB.com Article about the event

New Umpire Gear Designated Customers' Choice

Some of our newer umpire products we've had since December '08 or before are doing very well in their respective categories. The new items that have met our criteria for the Customer Choice seal so far include:

• Wilson Titanium Umpire Mask in a Standard Profile
  The standard profile is the preferred frame shape of our customers and umpires at higher levels when compared to the low profile shape. And despite the higher price tag, the Wilson titanium mask has been our best selling umpire mask overall so far this year.
  
  
• Diamond Silver Frame Umpire Mask
  We identified the silver look mask as one of our trends to prepare for this year, but these have been so popular we've had to more than double our orders from Diamond to meet demand.
  
  
• Smitty Dark Grey Flexiblefit Umpire Pants
  Smitty introduced the dark grey pants last year and despite everything we've gotten before from Smitty being higher quality, umpire pants last year had some issues as a result in a change of manufacturer. There were some sizing issues (too tight) and some clasp issues (some came out). This was not a good combination, and it resulted in a good deal of returns. Believe me when I say I had my fair share of things to say about this to Smitty.
  
  This year, the second time was the charm with the fixing of the sizing and clasp issues, adding the 2" expandable waistband, making darker the dark grey so it's in line with what is being worn at the college level and adding a combo choice in addition to plate and base pants.
  
  It appears our customers are finding this to be the best value dark grey umpire pant on the market considering it's $30 less expensive, doesn't need drycleaning, and is lighter in weight due its performance fabric.
  
  
• New Balance All-Black Umpire Shoes
  As expected, sales have been strong for both the D and 2E widths and comments have been favorable... another winner in umpire shoes from New Balance.

View all Customer Choice' Seal products for Umpires
View all new items

Detailed Look at New Reebok Umpire Plate Shoes

The new Reebok umpire plate shoes came in less than 2 weeks ago. They are available in 2 styles and 2 widths:

• Low Cut D Width
• Low Cut 4E Width
• Mid Cut D Width
• Mid Cut 4E Width

OFFICIAL MLB SHOE
There have been much buzz surrounding these unique shoes. They were field tested at the MLB level last year and went through 4 design changes as a result of feedback. They are now the official umpire shoes of MLB.

THE WHITE LOGO
Another part of the buzz has been the amount of white on the shoe. Typically officials of any sport like to go as plain as possible. Shoes are typically all black, and if not there is usually only a smaller logo (e.g. the "N" on New Balance plate shoes). But in this case Reebok wanted to show off its logo resulting in a great deal of white.

Feedback on the white logo so far has been a mixed bag. Some hate all the white. Some either like the white or even prefer it due to providing some contrast vs. an all-black shoe... to each his own. My feeling is white in of itself is not bad... just look at white undershirts, white in numbers or white trim on shirts and jackets.

But I think Reebok could have certainly toned it down a little. They chose not to because it's just the way big shoe companies operate; to them it's all about the brand. If MLB umpires were wearing an all-black Reebok shoe then no one at the game or watching on TV would see their logo.

I suspect what will happen will be similar to what New Balance did with its new all-black umpire base shoe this year in that Reebok will follow up the plate shoes with the prominent logo in a year or 2 with at least an all-black option.

YES, STEEL TOED
There was also some discussion about whether or not the shoes had a steel toe or not. It is definitely a steel toe.

PLATE SHOE SELECTION
The addition of the Reebok plate shoes now gives us more umpire plate shoe options (10) than ever with Reebok, New Balance and Pentagon (formerly Spot-bilt brand).

Plus with a 4E wide sizing, it presents a nice array of choices in widths. All brand shoes are available in D, the New Balance is also available in 2E and the Reebok in 4E.

There was a rumor that the 4E would not be available from Reebok. One of our competitors who chose not to purchase the 4E made this claim but this obviously not the case.

DETAILED IMAGES
We have some detailed images of the Reebok plate shoes at different angles and zoomed images that you won't find anywhere else. Just go to each product page to view.



What do you think about the new Reebok shoes?