Ump-Attire.com - The Year in Review

Today we have all been discussing our year and reflecting on improvements and things that have happened. Here are 23 highlights of 2009:

1. The Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag is Redesigned
   With it's original pocket design and added waterproof interior lining, the bag is well-received and even designated as best umpire accessory by Midwest Ump blog.
   
   
2. Full Time Staff Doubles
   Added staff to focus on customer service, marketing, stock management and accounting
   
   
3. Unprecedented Ice Storm Shuts Us Down
   For 3 days just at the cusp of our busy season
   
   
4. Facebook Fan Page Launched
   Now up to almost 300 fans, it provides a new and more informal way to interact and network with customers
   
   
5. We Increase Our Community Involvement
   From donations to local little leagues to our involvement with UMPS CARE charities such as Golf Classic sponsorship and hospital visit, we do a little more this year than last
   
   
6. We Launch the Ultimate Umpire Shirt
   The multi-featured shirt is named the #1 umpire shirt by Midwest Ump Blog and used in the NAIA World Series.
   
   
7. We Become First Retailer to Discuss Mouthguards for Umpires
   Multiple blog and discussion board posts to talk about this potential way to lessen chances of concussions
   
   
8. We Ride the Titanium and Silver Frame Mask Wave
   We become one of only 2 retailers to offer the Titanium Umpire Mask in a standard profile and push hard these and the Diamond Featherweight Mask with Silver Aluminum Alloy Frame
   
   
9. We Double Our Umpire Pants Selection
   Focusing on charcoal grey and navy and using expanded waistbands
   
   
10. I Meet with Wilson Sporting Goods at Chicago Headquarters
    To share ideas and get insights on product enhancements
    
    
11. We Begin Using Local Umpires and Officials in Professional Product Shots
    
    
12. We Become an Official US Lacrosse Supplier
    And offer an US Lacrosse referee starter kit
    
    
13. We Start Advertising in Referee Magazine
    Half and full-page ads beyond the classified section
    
    
14. I am Interviewed by Umpire-Empire.com
    The in-depth review can be found here.
    
    
15. We Attend NCAA Umpire Clinic for First Time
    In Chicago with excellent success
    
    
16. We Say Goodbye to Spot-bilt
    We sell the last of our spot-bilt shoe selection after their parent company shut down that division.
    
    
17. We Become Only Officiating Retailer to Offer Oakley Sunglasses
    
    
18. We Add the Industry's Only Women's Referee Shirt and Referee Cap Sized for Kids
    
    
19. We Add Over 60 New Products
    Including new Reebok plate umpire shoes, New Balance field shoes, a greater variety of wide shoe sizes, innovative waterproof football referee cards, new umpire protective gear and apparel, lacrosse referee accessories and more
    
    
20. We Add Our Logo to Numerous Products
    Indicators, plate brushes, cards, wallets, bags, a mask and more
    
    
21. We Increase Our Warehouse Capacity
    After deciding not to move to another location
    
    
22. We Double Our Product Images
    Including becoming first to offer views of umpire chest protectors from the backside and multiple images of products worn from various angles not offered elsewhere
    
    
23. Sherry and I Attend NASO Summit in Tucson
    And meet with over 1,000 officials
    

Christmas Party Pics '09

The Gift Table


Jeanne prepares the mini-keg. Yes, we like to have a good time around here even during office hours.


Paul is first to the food


Anessa and Chad Laugh it Up


Paul Thinks Over Keeping or Trading Up His White Elephant Gift


Staff Minus Carolyn Joseph and Myself, the Photographer.
From left to right, Sherry - Marketing Coordinator, Anessa - Customer Service Manager, Jeanne - Operations Manager, Paul - Warehouse Manager and Chad - Stock Manager

Play on Our Team at the UMPS CARE Golf Classic

As a sponsor of the 5th Annual UMPS CARE Charities Golf Classic, we have up to 3 slots available on the Ump-Attire Team.

If anyone is interested in joining me and MLB umpires for a good cause and round of golf, please e-mail me at jim@ump-attire.com. This would be a great opportunity for customers living in the Phoenix Area.

WHERE
Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona

WHEN
Thursday, January 21, 2010
8:30AM Shotgun Start

Additional Storage Capacity Added to Warehouse

When we decided not to move to another location this summer, we knew would have our work cut out for us in trying to make more shelf space available for our growing inventory level.

As a result we have added additional pallet racks and shelving and added a very cost effective temporary storage system behind our warehouse.

By my estimation, since July we will have added a conservative 30% additional storage capacity to accommodate what should be an excellent 2010.

A big thank you to all of you who have made our growth a good problem to have.

Ump-Attire.com Receives Highest Reviews for 2nd Year in a Row

For the second year in a row, Ump-Attire.com has the highest rated reviews on Umpire-Empire.com, a discussion board and reviews site specifically for umpires.

Ump-Attire.com average of 95% remains unchanged from last December. Since then 14 reviews have been submitted about us. Thanks to all those who took time to submit a review.

We are proud to say this average is considerably higher than the average review of all others which is at 71%.
Read our reviews | Read all reviews

Suppliers are rated by umpires from a variety of levels in the following categories:

• Service
• Selection
• Returns
• Ease of shopping
• Prices
• Products in stock
• Overall

Haven't posted your review? You can do so after visiting their website and registering for free.

A Christmas Sale? Well, Maybe Just Some Ideas

I have gone back and forth about having a Christmas sale or not. Everyone seems to be doing it these days, but I'm not real fond of simply following everyone else's lead. Indeed, we've gotten several requests and calls with the question, "Are you guys going to have a Christmas sale?". My answer has been a constant "I am not sure."

Well, I just let you in a little secret. Although we do plan out many things here, especially most of the products we are going to carry for the upcoming season and a few blog posts, we often do fly by the seat of our pants. Did I just say that out loud?

Regardless, on the Christmas sale thought, instead of putting on a gigantic doorbuster sale or doing the complete opposite which is nothing at all, I went with a happy medium and have put together 16 Stocking Stuffer Ideas that I thought would make great gifts this holiday season and took from a few dollars off up to 50% off.

So share this link with your loved them or drop whatever hint you want.

STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS

Of them, there are 7 items from $1 to $5. So you'll find some good stocking stuffer potential as well as ideas to buy for all the guys in your crew or association such as pencils, wallets, bags and pocket boards.

You'll also find some gloves, socks and ear warmers which are always a hit, especially if one is not sure what to get.

There are also some best-in-their-class smaller specialty items that don't normally go on sale such as the Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag, Titan Protective Cup or Virtual Umpire Camp CD that might serve a purpose as that special and/or unexpected gift when unwrapped.

So, enjoy this sale or whatever it is and Happy Holidays to you and yours from us here at Ump-Attire.

Reactions to Umpire Base Helmet Mixed with One Surprise Reaction

For it to not be in the middle of baseball season, we have received a lot of comments regarding the Umpire Base Helmet I have added to our selection.

The comments can be found all over the place: In comments section of original blog post about it, at our Facebook Fan Page and on the ABUA discussion board (not to mention several e-mails we've received).

The comments can be categorized into 4 general areas.

1. This is ridiculous and/or overkill.
2. I wouldn't wear one, but there is some merit to this and good to have as an option for others.
3. I will wear or consider wearing one.
   
   All of the above were expected, but the 4th was not one on my radar.
   
   
4. I want to or would consider wearing a coach's style helmet under my traditional umpire mask behind the plate.
   

Hmm. Interesting.

Regarding wearing this as supplemental to your traditional mask, my (mis)perception was that if you wanted all-around protection you just upgrade to a hockey style helmet. However, who I am hearing from are those who don't like hockey style helmets, but who would like the added protection of the hard shell helmet. So is there a subset of umpires who fall into this category that we are failing to address?

What I'm hearing most is a need where a ball might hit the top of a backstop or screen and fall back down on one's head. When I umpired I never experienced this. You certainly don't see it at the higher levels, but I have seen it, mostly recently this summer, while watching local little league or high school games. And it's not pretty when someone gets hit on top of an uprotected head, especially when he or she is not expecting it.

I would just like to get some thoughts on this. Do you think there is a need here? What are your concerns or thoughts?

The ones that come immediately to my mind without doing further research are:

• How well will a hard bill fit underneath an umpire mask? Will it work better for some and less for others?
  
• How easy will it be to remove your mask with a hard shell helmet vs. a cap without it coming off?
• Is there more merit to this as a safety issue than even a hard shell cap on the bases?
• What other issues about this am I missing?