Officially Un-Official

Our Vision, Mission and Values

2012-01-27T10:21:00.001-05:00

We recently created Ump-Attire.com's vision, mission and values statement and wanted to share with all of you.

VISION
Progress of Officials, Officiating and Sports
Our vision is for sports officials to achieve greater satisfaction, safety, wellness and respect. Progress of officials and the officiating profession directly impact sports in a positive manner.

MISSION
Be the Worldwide Leader in Officiating Sporting Goods
Through innovative and quality products, exceptional service and experiences, superb execution, trusting relationships and community spirit

VALUES
These values directly reflect the company's uniqueness and provide a code of conduct upon which we lead, grow and work. We seek employees, vendors and partners that adhere to, practice and show initiative to maintain our common core values. Commitment to core values allows us more easily accomplish our mission, reach our goals and better realize our vision.

Being Remarkable
We value service, products and experiences that are remarkable and worth talking about.

Improvement and Learning
We value humility, skill building, education and knowledge. Continuous learning, both professionally and personally, leads to enlightenment and empowerment.

Being Creative, Adventurous and Open-minded
We value being adaptable, embracing new opportunities and change and having a courageous willingness to take risks.

Relationships
We value trusting relationships that fosters team and community spirit and care. We express it by remaining honest, open, genuine, transparent, authentic, understanding, generous and respectful.

Passion and Engagement
We value an environment that fosters care, competence, pride, performance, quality, commitment and selflessness. This ultimately leads to a positive work-life balance for all, one that leads to higher self-esteem, self-worth and satisfaction.

The Umpire School's Mark Stubblefield to Be Featured in Monthly Series

2012-01-24T21:53:00.000-05:00

We are excited to announce a series of monthly tips during baseball season from Mark Stubblefield for baseball umpires.

Mark is the medical coordinator for The Umpire School (TUS). These tips came from discussions with Mark and his talk "Common Injuries for Umpires" he gives at TUS.

We'll place these on the Good Calls - Baseball and Umpiring Blog.

Planned Topics include:

Collar bone protection through proper chest protector spacing
Pre-game preparations for medical emergencies
Pre-game stretching and benefits
Post-concussions awareness
Preventing heat illness
Handling contusions

Drafts have already been completed for these articles. If you have had any issues with any of the above, e-mail me your story at jim@ump-attire.com, and we may incorporate it into the post.

Coop is Promoted to Sunbelt Conference

2012-01-23T05:24:00.002-05:00

A big congratulations to our new field sales rep Brandon Cooper! He was just promoted to the Sunbelt Conference.

His umpiring schedule this NCAA baseball season will include games in the Big East, Ohio Valley Conference, Mid-South Conference and now the Sunbelt.

VIDEO: Staff Learns Umpire Mechanics with Mixed Results

2012-01-20T11:47:00.000-05:00

As part of "The Greatest 1-Hour Umpire Clinic on Earth" at our December staff retreat, umpire Brandon Cooper attempts to pass along his mechanics skills to Anessa Arehart, marketing and sales.

Music by Noel & John.

Tailoring Services Performed at The Umpire School

2012-01-10T08:36:00.007-05:00

In my opening talk with students of The Umpire School, I shared with them that my main role here is to serve as a resource and an outfitter. I'm not just someone who is here just to sell them things.

I'm here to help if they have forgotten something, or something gets broken and needs replacing. I'm also here to help the students with their choices so they feel more comfortable during their training.

Notice, I didn't use the word "tailor" in my opening talk, but when Nick Thul from New Jersey purchased a pair of the new Ump-Attire poly-wool base pants, I wanted to make sure he had an opportunity to wear them on the field while he was here.

I thought the hem-tape tailoring I performed on his pants turned out pretty well and I like the professional look of the poly wools on the field here at The Umpire School. They look pretty nice, don't you think?

Good luck to Nick and the rest of the students!

Posted by Jim Kirk, CEO/President/Tailor of Ump-Attire.com and avid fan of sports and sports officials everywhere.

A CEO's Waking Thoughts at The Umpire School's Opening Day

2012-01-08T08:11:00.009-05:00

Sometime before 6am. Vero Beach, Florida. Opening Day of Umpire School.

I know it's before 6am because I'm lying in my bed at the Vero Beach Sports Village and my alarm has not gone off yet. Someone is talking to me. It's the voice inside my head. You know the one. The one that is there every morning that tells you "hit snooze one more time". The one that infuses you with self-doubt before you even get going, such as "why are YOU here?", before you can even put your feet to the carpet.

In the book, "The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle", Steven Pressfield calls this voice "The Resistance". It's evolutionary and programmed in you to try and to distract you from the real work you should be doing, as well as keeping you from living the life you want to live.

What does your "resistance" say to you?

When our business had the opportunity to partner with the brand new The Umpire School (TUS), managed by Minor League Baseball, with lead instruction from PBUC (the arm that picks, trains and manages its umpires), I was more than thrilled.

One of our responsibilities at TUS is to open a mini-store for its students while they are in session. I drove a cargo van 15 hours from Louisville, Kentucky, transporting the makings and goods to do exactly this at the facility that once was the LA Dodgers Spring Training Facility. Today is registration day and opening night. The first one ever for TUS.

Thoughts in my head - my resistance - include:

Will the store setup be all that TUS or I hoped it would be and can I get it setup before registration starts at noon?

Justin Klemm, TUS Executive Director, told me that while I am here, I am considered part of their staff. What an honor, but these guys have over 150 collective years of umpiring experience. The most formal umpire training I have received was a half-day clinic to prepare me for my lengthy 2-year HS umpiring career nearly 20 years ago. Can I truly add something?

I spent some time last night with TUS's course materials. While comprehensive, there are things I'd like to share with the future professional umpires of the world:
The concept of umpires being the "ambassadors of the game". Is something bigger than themselves, within a historical perspective
Job satisfaction considerations, related to negative aspects from fans and others
Consider gear and apparel as tools that allow you to improve your skills
The perspective that students' gain here can also make a difference in their umpire community at home
Will some of these be covered already? Does TUS really want me to share my perspective? Wouldn't it have been smart to have prepared such after-dinner seminars ahead of time?

Will my attempts this week to soak up information and asking lots of questions then sharing my thoughts through this blog and the Good Calls Baseball blog be a little intrusive or annoying?

Can I provide the leadership back at headquarters while I'm here this week? We are going through a significant organizational transition as we hire staff and try some new approaches. Can I stay focused here and not be distracted by company and staff needs?

Is this post even worth writing? Will anyone even read it?

One of Pressfield's recommendations is to let what you are receiving the most resistance be your guide to what is most important. Then, to get working. The blog post serves as my starting point. Time to shower and get to it. Stay tuned.

Phone and Walk-In Hours Changed

2012-01-06T13:48:00.006-05:00

In a recent effort to provide more learning and training opportunities for customer service staff and to push more customer service to social media and live chat (coming soon), we have changed our phone and walk-in hours from 9am-5pm to 10am-5pm (ET)*.

We realize we are cutting off time in the eastern time zone (for phone calls only - all other means of service begin before 9am), but mostly only that time zone where our call volume is less.

Jim Kirk, CEO/President said:

We strongly believe we have the highest trained customer service staff in the industry. We value that, but there is sadly a lot of turnover in customer service everywhere we look. We want to prevent that in ours by committing to our staff, pushing current technologies and through pursuing more proactive and efficient approaches to customer service.

We also value the connections we make face-to-face and by phone with our customers and will continue to ensure we are available in this way.

Our goal is that we develop an even more knowledgeable, responsive and core staff for our customers.

Feel free to share your thoughts on how we can make your experience a better one through our service to you.

3 of our service and marketing staff say goodbye at the end of the day.
(l to r) Anessa, Emily and Krista.

*Note: Walk-ins hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm.

College and Former AAA Umpire Becomes Field Rep

2012-01-04T12:06:00.012-05:00

We are proud to announce that one of the most respected umpires around is now working at Ump-Attire.com.

If you looked at Brandon Cooper's long line of credentials, you would think we hired him based on his umpiring experience alone.

Graduate of Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring, 1999
Minor League Umpire, 1999 - 2006
NCAA Umpire, 1999 - Present

But you would be wrong. Jim Kirk, CEO/President of Ump-Attire.com noted:

"We hired Brandon to represent us based on his qualities that reflect ours - his integrity, character, reputation among his peers and passion for our company, for the profession and for those who serve in it.

I am always asked by good officials and people throughout the country to be a sales rep for us. And I've been waiting on just the right person to come along who really embodies what we are all about. That person is Brandon Cooper."

About his joining the team, Brandon says,

"Working with Ump-Attire.com allows me the unique opportunity to work with umpires and referees from all over the world on a daily basis. I enjoy working with officials who have the same passion for the craft as I do.

Ump-Attire.com truly is in the profession of helping to support the Profession of Officiating. Through my position, I will be able to work hard to help prepare you for your next "Big Game". I look forward to meeting you and seeing you around."

If you're wondering, Brandon worked Appalachian Rookie, South Atlantic A, Carolina A, Eastern AA, International AAA Leagues and currently umpires a complete schedule of Big East, Ohio Valley, DI Non- Conference, DII Regional 2011 and DIII games.

Brandon has hit the ground running. He instructed the "Greatest 1-Hour Umpire Clinic on Earth" with staff at our retreat Friday, has written a blog post titled "The Five Tool Umpire" and can be seen at upcoming NCAA Umpire Clinics in Chicago and Atlanta.

Meet Krista and Brandon at Chicago NCAA Umpire Clinic

2012-01-03T09:37:00.004-05:00

Brandon demonstrates proper mechanics during a mini-clinic for our staff, while Krista stands in as the batter.

For the first time ever, Ump-Attire.com will be sending staff members that will not include Jim Kirk to an NCAA umpire clinic. No mutiny has occurred, at least not yet. Jim will be at The Umpire School in the Vero Beach that weekend.

Instead, you will have an opportunity to meet Krista Wolf, customer service manager and Brandon Cooper, former AAA umpire and current NCAA umpire now on our team.

Krista will bring her sweet disposition, energy and the ability to answer any questions you might have. Brandon will bring his expertise, product knowledge and enthusiasm.

We'll bring new products for you to touch, look at and try on along with some mainstays.

Note: We do not bring multiples of items to sell. Writing up your orders all day takes up time from getting to know each other. However, if there is something in particular you want to look at or to deliver an order to you, please email krista@ump-attire.com.

If at the NCAA Clinic at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois on January 14th, please stop by and say hello.

Other NCAA Clinics:
Atlanta, January 21st
Philadelphia, January 28th

Posted by Jim Kirk, CEO/President of Ump-Attire.com.

Youth Umpiring Organization Chooses Ump-Attire.com as Official Supplier

2011-12-26T08:00:00.015-05:00

We are happy to announce that www.YouthUmpiring.org has chosen Ump-Attire.com as Official Supplier for their new organization.

Umpire-in-Chief, Michael Wraa

Designed by youth umpire Michael Wraa, YouthUmpiring.org is a free website where young umpires can submit questions, watch instructional videos and get needed advice directly from veteran umpires. They can also discuss interpretations of rules with fellow umpires and most of all, share a common love of baseball.

Congratulations, Michael, on launching your new site. We appreciate you selecting us as your official supplier. Best of luck!

5 Things About Walk-In Customers You Didn't Know

2011-12-22T10:39:00.000-05:00

Despite our overwhelming majority of business originating online, we do have our fair share of walk-ins of local customers in all sports. Here are 5 things about them you didn't know:

1 out of 20 customers are walk-ins. The rest are online or phone orders.
90% of walk-ins are from Kentucky. No surprise there.
Our second largest customer base is from Indiana given their close proximity just across the Ohio River.
We do receive visitors from all over. Tennessee and Ohio are also common. Farther away, I recall visitors from Alabama, Florida and Minnesota when I waited on walk-ins more several years ago. Oh, and one from Missouri (Hello Dave). Krista and Emily recall recent visitors from Georgia. Anessa recalls a recent one from New York. Jeanne tells me we had a visitor from Germany once. I missed that. He certainly win the farthest traveled prize.

Such visitors come through while on business, en route to a vacation or to see someone who lives here. Everyone is welcome. If you are from out-of-town, please consider stopping by.
Despite having a location in Kentucky, many of our Kentucky customers, even those in the Louisville area, find it convenient they can receive an order within 1 business day to most places.

Krista Wolf Promoted to Customer Service Manager

2011-12-19T08:00:00.066-05:00

Krista Wolfe, CSM

Krista Wolf, who has been here less than a year has already proven herself worthy of leading what is known as the best customer service department in officials' sporting goods retail.

The lineage continues. Our two previous managers, Jeanne and Anessa, show that all good things come from customer service.

Jeanne Nelson was a one-woman show in customer service when we started almost 6 years ago. She has been Operations Manager for some time now.

Anessa Arehart was in charge of our first multi-person department. After 3 years, she has been promoted recently to Sales Manager and Marketing Lead.

Krista says, "It's a pleasure to work with such a fast growing company, and I have learned a lot over the course of a year. I'm excited to take the lead in my new role as Customer Service Manager and maintain our reputation for excellent customer service!"

The Umpire School Caps and Jackets

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

The embroidery for The Umpire School caps and jackets turned out very well.

For more information on our embroidery services visit www.ump-attire.com/embroidery/

For more information on The Umpire School and its inaugural session starting January 8th, 2012, visit www.therightcall.net.

Changes to Privacy Policy to Reflect Social Media Use

2011-12-12T08:00:00.012-05:00

Please note the following addition to our privacy policy regarding your posted comments on social media and blogs.

Any comments publicly posted to the Ump-Attire.com Facebook page, Twitter feed, blogs or online content including product reviews are considered permissible for use in regards to related Ump-Attire.com media applications including printed media, catalogs, blogs of Ump-Attire.com (including the Officially-Unofficial and Good Calls blogs) and online product reviews.

Read complete privacy policy.

New Sport Specific Blogs - Good Calls for Officiating

2011-12-08T18:59:00.002-05:00

The "Officially-Unofficial" blog has been a good success. It currently receives over 16,000 page views per month.

Just as successful television shows have spin-off shows, I'm spinning off this blog to create a few new ones. Remember Happy Days? It spinned-off to Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy and Joanie Loves Chachi. Yeah, the last one didn't work so well.

The spin-off blogs are sport-specific and have a positive "Good Calls" theme. The goal of the blogs are to promote professionalism within each sport's officiating community (yes, including talk about gear and clothing) while enhancing the professionals reputation with fans, players and coaches. That last part sounds like a tall order, but I'm willing to give it a try.

New Blogs
Good Calls - Baseball and Umpiring
Good Calls - Basketball and Officiating
Good Calls - Football and Officiating

So why the separate blogs? There are several reasons. One is I want to give officiating in other sports their fair share of focus. I've been a little baseball heavy in the past. This will force me to do that.

The other is I'd like for you, a sport-specific official, to read posts without the clutter of other sports or topics in which you're not interested.

Other sports? I'll consider them later, but this is as much as I can chew right now.

The Officially-Unofficial blog will remain as the company blog. Here, we'll continue to candidly share company news, information and insights.

Note: you can get to any blog from any other blog or if you forget you can always go to www.ump-attire.com/blog.

Facebook Input Results in Price Drop of Majestic Therma Base Jackets

2011-11-26T18:29:00.007-05:00

We have a few values we seek to always uphold. One is to provide value to our customers and the other is to value our customers' knowledge and input.

These two values came together recently when we recently asked our Facebook fans, nearing 3,500 at writing, to nominate then vote for one product where it was felt our price was too high. This has got to be a first, at least in the officials' retail sporting goods industry.

But I'll just be honest. It's not our strategy to have the lowest prices on every single item. If we did, we'd have to cut our service staff, not answer your calls or emails in a timely manner and cut our inventory levels so low that you may not get your package for a while after you order. Then, we'd call ourselves a discounter. And we're not.

On the other hand, we don't want to price something at a level we think is right only to find in enough customers' eyes it's highly over-priced.

So we thought the nomination and poll on Facebook would not only be fun, but enlightening as well. Out of 44 votes, the response was overwhelming for Majestic Therma Base Jackets. They received 27 votes in all. So if we missed anything price-wise, perhaps this is the one.

Therefore, we are going to trust our customers on this one. The Majestic jackets are being dropped in price from $90 to $80 - although Majestic just raised the price about $8 to our cost on these jackets.

That's right. Majestic raised the cost $8, and I'm listening to my customers by dropping the price $10? One of our Facebook fans commented tongue-in-cheek, "Jim's gone crazy".

Maybe he's right, and the profit numbers indicate we'll have to sell 4 jackets at the new price vs. 3 at the old one to break even. If the customers are right, then perhaps we'll do better than that. I am hopeful this happens, and maybe I'm not so crazy after all.

Help the cause and buy a Majestic Therma Base Jacket today available in various colors and stripe patterns including the exclusive black with white stripes.

Want to join us on Facebook and provide your input to help shape our selection, product features and pricing? Like us and join the craziness at www.ump-attire.com/facebook/

"Stay in the Game" to Receive Proceeds from Football CD Series

2011-11-26T17:33:00.003-05:00

Just received an email from Todd Skaggs - wearer of many hats including one as football official, author of Forward Progress and guru behind Profootballreferee.com - that he is donating proceeds to his upcoming CD Interview Series to the Prostate Cancer Foundation through our Stay in the Game Campaign: Officials Against Prostate Cancer.

Thanks Todd.

About the CD Series
As I understand it, from November 25th to December 1st, Todd will host a special 5-part Expert Interview Series on Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Football Officiating - released one per day - leading up to the ACC Mini-Clinic.

The interviews will contain in-depth and insightful secrets of what it takes to get noticed, move up through the ranks and improve your officiating skills. Interviewees will include Doug Rhoads, ACC Coordinator of Football Officiating along with veteran crew members from various positions.

Interviews are for all, not just those attending the clinic. They are free to listen to on the website but the complete set will be on a CD box set for $29.

For more information, and to receive instant updates of the series and have an opportunity to purchase the series, pleas visit profootballreferee.com/accminiclinic.

For more information on Stay in the Game visit www.ump-attire.com/stayinthegame/.

For more information on the Prostate Cancer Foundation, visit www.pcf.org.

First Look at New Balance MU460 Plate Shoes: Look and Feel

2011-11-18T15:54:00.011-05:00

The MU460 Umpire Plate Shoes came in today, two weeks earlier than we expected! That doesn't happen very often. I had a chance to put a pair on for the first time and walk around a bit.

Someone said that working at Ump-Attire.com has got to be like Christmas every day. Well, not every day but today, yes, it felt somewhat like that.

Note to Peter Crawford (our New Balance rep): Thanks for playing Santa Claus.

I took three pairs you would most be interested in and compared them on look and feel:

You'll see some side-by-side comparisons below on look, but I'll share my initial thoughts on feel and comfort.

FEEL/COMFORT
The older MU450s were always harder for my in-between D and EE foot to fit into. They were too tight for me at the instep so I would have needed not just to size up number-wise but in width.

So I was was very excited to feel that with the new MU460s, my foot just easily slid right into it like a Converse hi-top I used to wear in high school. There was no tightness. New Balance promised a larger toe box, and they certainly delivered as the fit is similar to the Reebok plate shoe's fit. We have always recommended that you size up a number or width with the MU450s but with my feet as an example, I don't see the need.

From a comfort perspective, the new MU460s felt most like a real shoe than anything else I've ever tried. They were certainly lighter, 10% than the MU450s.

"Softer" might also be an appropriate conservative explanation of how they felt compared to MU450s. Saying they felt like a pair of comfortable slippers would be overstating it, but I'd put the metaphor somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. It might not be too much of a stretch if you tried on a pair to say "you know, those are the most comfortable plate shoes I've ever tried".

To me the Reebok RPLOs are more comfortable than the older MU450s. Some will say the Reeboks still are the most comfortable to them than the new MU460s. I'll let you be the judge, but an obvious difference was that the New Balance felt, appropriately so, more "balanced". In other words, it didn't feel heavy anywhere on the shoe whereas the Reebok can best be described in my opinion as a little front heavy.

The official feature from New Balance regarding comfort is as follows:

ABZORB® - a blend of Dupont™ Engage® and Isoprene rubber - in heel and forefoot provides superior shock absorption and cushioning throughout the game.

As a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll refrain from typing that many and let you see the differences visually. (BTW - Please do not start calling in asking where you can get umpire pants made of blue jean material. They are not yet available.)

LOOK

The MU460s have 40% more coverage than the MU450s. You'll want to, of course, pull your pants over your tongue, but I wanted you to see the differences old and new there.

The MU460s have a darker look with perhaps a little more shine than the RPLOs (flash went off so maybe less shine than appears) with a more seamless look with the toe and plate cap. With pants in proper position, those concerned with white on your shoes need not be as concerned as the white MLB logo will be covered.


Side shot with RPLOs. Some have been concerned with the N placement in the back of the shoe. It's barely noticeable with pants on. Note: Always wear pants when umpiring.

Small white logo on back of MU460s compared to style number and "New Balance" on MU450s

MLB logo vs larger Reebok logo

To learn more about this plate shoe (also available with white "N"), view the New Balance umpire shoes category page.

What did I miss? Give me your thoughts.

Take a Tour of the Vero Beach Sports Village (Home of The Umpire School)

2011-11-01T20:56:00.025-05:00

Professional Umpire School or Resort for Umpires?

Take this virtual tour with me and find out for yourself just what The (New) Umpire School is at the Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV).

Justin Klemm, executive director, invited me down to tour the facilities on October 15th in Vero Beach, Florida. We had just inked a deal that would make us Official Supplier so I obviously wanted to take a look around.

A very early 5:20 am flight from Louisville via Charlotte to Orlando and an hour and half plus drive later had me meeting Justin as I pulled in right at noon.

I would spend a little over 4 hours that day with Justin and PBUC staff on what was a beautiful, sunny day in the mid-80s - a welcome break from what had been a cold and rainy week back home.

An Overview
So what is the Vero Beach Sports Village? I had never heard of it until this year, perhaps just as you hadn't. VBSV is the former spring training home of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers affectionately known as Dodgertown. Now sound familiar?

The Dodgers made their exodus in 2008 to Glendale, Arizona but left behind not only the facilities including Holman Stadium but also much of the character including lamp posts with tops shaped and stitched like baseballs and street names such as as Sandy Koufax Lane and Pee Wee Reese Boulevard.

Now operated by Minor League Baseball, the VBSV is first-class all the way. It exists mostly to provide unique facilities for college and high school baseball teams for their spring training.

The Chinese National Baseball Team, I just missed after they had their training there. Yes, I thought it was interesting, too, that the Chinese train in Florida.

The Umpire School
Of course, now not only for teams and players, VSBV is for umpires at all levels to train and stay via The Umpire School for 4-weeks out of the year, where members of the Professional Baseball Umpires Corp (PBUC) will host and make up lead staff.

Picture this. You are a student who will attend your first session January 8th - February 5th, 2012. You'll find what I did which is a training venue that is all-inclusive. There is no need to leave the 67-acre campus during your stay. To say "I was impressed" with the facilities would be an understatement.

In the morning, you'll be make a short walk out of your villa, one of the same ones that Dodger players stayed in, into the dining room that is in the main conference center where you'll meet Mary and the other ladies who shared they judge how they do by the weight you put on during your stay.

It is buffet-style, but you may want to take it easy.

You'll then walk down the hall to your morning instruction, back to lunch, possibly stopping by to say "hello" to me or another one of our staff at our on-site store, then onto the fields conveniently just out the back door.

How does all that sound so far?

There is also access to support needs such as laundry and wi-fi access plus recreational activities including a weight and exercise room to burn a few of those calories, a full-size pool, tennis and basketball courts and a stadium club lounge with full service bar and game room.

So all in all, you can train here to become a better umpire at your level or the next one, provided by those who recruit, evaluate and train minor league baseball umpires by day; you'll find lodging and camaraderie with other umpires who share your passion by night; and full entree breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout your stay.

So you tell me. Is The Umpire School a professional umpire school or a resort for umpires?

Find Out More
See more photos from my tour on our Facebook fan page (supplemented with a few supplied by VSBV) here and The Umpire School's official 4-minute video (below) for an even closer view.

The Umpire School - Therightcall.net
Vero Beach Sports Village - Vbsportsvillage.com

Umpire Products of the Year Suggestions

2011-10-27T21:02:00.004-05:00

Just received a request from a customer asking to supply my nominations for top items of the year for the Umpy Awards that the Midwest Blog does.

Last year, I wrote a post on suggested nominations. This year maybe I just provide my favorite suggestions strictly from my perspective.

Best Umpire Gear
Anything in All-Star umpire gear from the helmet on down to the shin guards. Those of you who know me know I'm a huge Wilson supporter, and I know Jacquie Rooney, product manager of Wilson will read this (Hi Jacquie) so I mention this with a little bit of heavy heart. Wilson has plans in the future, likely late 2012 or 2013, that may just change all of this, but right now the All-Star items have a lot of nice features we and you have not seen before.

Best Umpire Shoes
There are those that love New Balance and those that love Reebok, and this year we definitely have had more Reebok lovers which makes sense over the older New Balance plate shoes. With the new New Balance shoes coming up, I'm very curious to see the thoughts on the new plate shoes. But on the new base shoes, I just think they are going to be a run away best seller because of the lighter weight and newer looks that will have an option with a silver N and white sole, not to mention new MLB logos.

Best Umpire Jacket
The Majestic ThermaBase Umpire Jacket (no contest) which when we add the special order exclusive with black and white stripes that will make it more so.

Best Umpire Shirt
We have to continue to go with Ump-Attire Ultimate Shirts, soon with now anti-microbial treatment in black, navy and powder. Then again, the Dalco pink shirt was just so very popular this year, and the response there was both great and nice.

Best Umpire Pants
Honig's hit a home run with their poly-wools, so much that we had to try to come up with something to compete there. We have a Made in the USA Ump-Attire product coming with a poly-wool fabric but with new features including an expandable waistband.

Best Umpire Accessory
To each his own here. Could be anything there from the Rite-Temp products that we are still considering adding but have our questions, the Stay in the Game sweatband for Prostate Cancer Awareness just because of its intention to make a difference. Perhaps it could be the Team Wendy's pads that I do see people wearing, but I have not seen the technology or the anecdotal evidence from those who use it yet.

What am I missing?

2011 Umps Care Charities Golf Marathon

2011-10-21T13:27:00.005-05:00

As a sponsor of Umps Care, I wanted you to be aware of an upcoming event.

It's the Annual 100 Holes Golf Marathon
Augusta Ranch Golf Resort
Mesa, Arizona
November 11th

While it's closed to MLB Umpires and their invites, you can still be a part of it by donating per hole played as golfers attempt to play 100 holes in a day.

Funds for all events go to UMPS CARE Charities children's hospital program, youth ticket program, and family care programs.

We are providing a dollar per hole to our following umpires and friends: Gary Darling, Marvin Hudson, Jim Reynolds and Ted Barrett. Other notable umpires include Eric Cooper, Tim Timmons, Tim Tschida and Jim Wolf. See the full list of whose playing and consider sponsoring.

For more information on Umps Care Charities, visit www.umpscare.com.

The Umpire School Sponsorship

2011-10-20T15:46:00.024-05:00

Our company Ump-Attire.com hasn't been around for very long. There are advantages and disadvantages to being in the sports officials' sporting goods retail market for only 5 1/2 years.

One advantage is you can shape your company in a new way. One disadvantage is there are institutions to which you'd like to be a part of, but it's often rightfully difficult to get one's foot-in-the-door.

One such institution has been that of professional umpire schools. Until now, there have been two umpire schools accredited to send umpires to be evaluated for placement into Minor League Baseball, the Wendelstedt Umpire School and the Jim Evans Academy. Both have been providing umpire training for over 20 years and both have long-standing partnerships with two of our competitors. I tip my cap to those institutions, their relationships and their alumni.

As of 2012, a new professional umpire school, The Umpire School, will have its inaugural session on January 8th at the Vero Beach Sports Village in Vero Beach, Florida. The 4-week school will have core instruction in an all-inclusive setting - with dining and housing in one location - provided by staff of the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp (PBUC), the same organization responsible for recruitment, evaluating and training of Minor League umpires.

This not only changes things in the world of professional umpire schools, but it also provides a great opportunity for us.

After a few months of discussion with Minor League Baseball, we are proud and excited to announce that we are now an Official Supplier of The Umpire School.

As part of our agreement, we'll provide financial, service and product support including an on-site store and special benefits for students. Read the full press release on the MiLB.com website.

Consider enrolling and come see us in Vero Beach in January. For more information on The Umpire School, please visit therightcall.net.

For more information on the Vero Beach Sports Village, the former spring training facility of the LA Dodgers, visit vbsportsvillage.com. For photos of my recent on-site tour, see our Facebook fan page.

Local Umpires Golf Scramble Photos

2011-10-10T12:41:00.003-05:00

Enjoyed my time at the KBUA (Kentuckiana Baseball Umpires Association) Golf Scramble sponsored by Ump-Attire.com at Sun Valley Golf Course in Louisville, Kentucky. Here are a few photos. (10/9/2011)

The Winning Foursome
(l to r) Jim Mohr, Bill Sims, Jenny Dunn and James McGowan

The Not in Last Place Foursome
(l to r) Don Hudson, Jim Kirk, Don Distler and Dale Goodwin

(l to r) KBUA Umpires Clarence Coleman, Lee Walker and Eric Soergel with other golf scramble participants

Anthony Wilder - KBUA Treasurer Gives Out the Awards

I "was" closest to the pin (which is somewhat of a minor miracle the way I swing)

But this guy, Bill Sims, was the Closest to the Pin Winner

Dale Goodwin and Clarence Coleman share a post-scramble laugh

Three D1 Football Conferences Wearing Different Look Cap

2011-09-23T09:59:00.003-05:00

Several weeks ago, Krista in customer service received a call asking if we were selling the football officials' cap with the wider white stripe. She stepped into my office to ask if I knew anything about it.

I insisted there was no such thing until a customer came in the following week to show off one that he was able to get his hands on somehow. Little do I know sometimes about things.

So yes, there is black cap with wider white piping, although technically I don't think it's piping. It's more a fabric overlay. And it has white eyelets and white on the tip of the bill. There is also a white cap with black eyelets, button and on the tip of the bill.

The caps were specifically designed for the CFO West Football Officials Association and will be worn by Big 12, Mountain West and Southland Conference Officials for 2011.

The main reason for writing the post is to let you know that it is NOT available for resale by Richardson although they are considering doing so for next year.

It's a very interesting cap style. It seems as if everything is changing from the bottom up in football officiating, from knickers to black pants, from 1" stripe to 2" stripe shirts and now this different style cap at least for a contingent of officials.

What do you think about the cap? What do you think about all the changes to uniform, especially at the NCAA level?

Snapshots from the Derby City Umpire Clinic 2011

2011-09-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

Derby City Umpire Clinic instructors and students.

Longtime customer Billy Williams talks with DI umpires Scott Kennedy (center) and Brandon Cooper (left) about situations.

CWS umpire Perry Costello discusses pre-game preparations.


Scott Kennedy tries to steal our poly-wool pants sample as the instructors are introduced.

Umpire Kyle George in his rotation behind the plate during the U of L Red-Black Intrasquad Scrimmage.

Matt Hughes and Brian Donnelly work with Brian Capps (in black shirt) on his strike mechanics.

Exclusive Majestic Jackets: When Black and White is Better than Color

2011-09-05T17:03:00.004-05:00

When Majestic launched the new premier line of Therma Base jackets and Cool Base Shirts for 2011, they stuck with what the MLB umpires were wearing.

I think this was a good, conservative move on their part given the newness of the products except for not offering the jacket with black and white stripes - the standard for umpires at the NCAA level where a colder weather jacket is more needed in earlier season games not to mention standard in many associations across the country at all levels.

It's been a little bit of work to get there, but many requests from customers later and a little perseverance on our part, even after Majestic said they would not make it due to a lack of orders for it, we are pretty excited to announce that Majestic will have the Black and White Therma Base Umpire Jacket available for 2012 and that it will be exclusively found here.

If you haven't considered the Majestic Therma Base Jacket, it keeps you warm and dry in the coldest conditions, without the bulky weight of a heavier jacket.

This black and white stripe jacket, while supplies will be limited, is currently available for pre-order for a January delivery date.

Note: Some customers will also be happy to know through our arrangement that the jacket will be offered in a 3X size not offered with the other trim patterns.

Stay in the Game Campaign to Raise Awareness of Prostate Cancer Among Officials

2011-09-02T12:32:00.004-05:00

On the heels of our successful BLUE for Pink: Umpires Against Breast Cancer campaign, we decided to continue our community outreach efforts in a way that could involve officials in every sport, in support of a cause that directly effects their health.

While researching potential programs to raise awareness of heart disease, obesity and overall health and fitness, we came across a statistic that stopped us in our tracks: one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. That makes prostate cancer the most common non-skin cancer in America, and since our customer base is mostly men, we knew we'd found our cause.

In addition to being a significant health concern for the majority of our customers, almost all of the men on our staff, including myself, are at or approaching the age where guidelines suggest men should begin regular prostate screening. So prostate cancer awareness is an important issue not only for our customers but for our staff as well.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Once we made the decision to focus on prostate cancer awareness, we chose to name our campaign "Stay in the Game," to emphasize the importance of approaching this as a health and wellness issue to your career as an official. So our goal is to educate and raise awareness so you can "stay in the game" with a discussion with your doctor about your risk and early detection of prostate cancer through regular screening rather than be sidelined by it.

FUNDRAISING
As for fundraising, we reached out to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which baseball fans will recognize for its partnership with MLB and it's Father's Day prostate cancer awareness efforts, including the Home Run Challenge.

We are offering blue (the designated color for prostate cancer awareness) wristbands and blue whistles--similar to the pink items we offer for breast cancer awareness--and donating part or all of the proceeds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

What better month to launch this campaign than in September, which is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month? We plan to continue the campaign into next spring and perhaps beyond.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE
In addition to offering blue awareness items for sale, we have created a Stay in the Game page on Facebook, where we plan to share information and hope to hear from prostate cancer survivors within the officiating community about their experiences

We have also created informational literature about the campaign that is being packaged with every order we ship, so look out for that with your next order, then share that information with your crew and your association to spread the message further!

Visit www.ump-attire.com/stayinthegame to learn more about the campaign, and "Like" us on Facebook to get regular updates on prostate cancer research, screening guidelines, treatment options and more.

Make the right call and "Stay in the Game"!

Wilson Product Development, Changes and New Items

2011-08-25T11:32:00.002-05:00

Lobby of Wilson headquarters in Chicago.

Discussions in our meeting last week with Wilson in Chicago centered on product development for long term developments, changes to existing products and new products for 2012.

Despite the fact that Wilson's umpire gear offerings have stayed about the same the last few years, I was impressed with the current product development plans shared by Jacqueline Rooney, product manager and Bill Woessner, R&D.

PLANS
Without offering complete details, one of the areas they are looking at diligently is protective gear that will make umpires safer, especially as it relates to head trauma, than products on the market today.

In the last 3 or 4 years, trends in umpiring equipment have been related to lighter weights and lower profiles, so I'm pleased that Wilson is looking toward next step protective technologies and talking to leading experts in the field all while listening to us and our customers.

Indeed, some of our Facebook fans/umpires shared comments, ideas and questions via a recent August 10th post and those were well-received. Many of you will be happy to see changes that you have discussed already being implemented and desired new items available in the near-term.

CHANGES
Changes being implemented for 2012 include:

Removable toe plates on all A3417 Charcoal Shin Guards
Replacement mask padding designs have been re-tooled and will fit your Wilson mask frame more closely.
Better adhesive formula changes to Shock FX helmet inner padding (actually implemented in the fall of 2010)

NEW ITEMS
You'll also find these two new items:

A matte black Shock FX helmet that will be available with a steel frame
A Wilson Gold and/or Platinum Chest Protector that will be available in a longer size option. See recent post.

Other ideas are being considered within their future product development framework. So as Wilson is listening, please keep your comments and suggestions coming.

Preseason Gear and Apparel Checklist

2011-08-24T18:51:00.005-05:00

I was just reading a very good article in Referee Magazine's September 2011 issue titled:

72 Ways to Officiate Smarter

In the article, Referee editors have gathered ideas and tips from their experiences to provide secrets to better officiating in all sports on various subjects such a pregame, risk management and post management (and more) plus 6 tips on the subject of inventory/equipment.

I won't steal their thunder (you'll have to read the 6 page article yourself) but I'm inspired to elaborate on tip number 7 which is entitled Inventory Your Look.

By inventorying your look, they recommend trying on your uniforms before each season and checking to see if your gear is in good condition and that your uniform fits properly.

More specifically, here's my checklist of preseason dos and don'ts:

Good stewardship of your gear happens after every game, not just during the off-season. Take time to wipe off dirt, dust and moisture after each game. Your gear and accessories will last much longer. Don't forget to wipe off excess dust and dirt off of washable items, too. Specifically, dust off your pants before placing in the washing machine.

Umpire shin guards are the biggest culprit for dust and dirt and the inside of all umpire gear is susceptible to moisture from perspiration. Storing a dry towel in your gear bag is the perfect solution. You don't want to risk rust over time from any steel chest protector rivets or leg guard clips. Note that some umpire gear items now have removable inner padding that can be washed in a washing machine. This feature is a much welcomed solution to cleaning gear.
Don't store your gear and apparel in a hot car or a humid place such as a garage. Doing so accelerates deterioration of the padding and fabric.
Don't leave your gear or clothes in the sun where UV rays can fade fabrics or change them to an undesired color. Pink umpire shirts are in style, but pink pants? Not-so-much.
Try your pants on. Can't bring the clasps together because you ate too much over the holidays? Pants on the ground because you were motivated by the latest weight-loss craze? No fear, just Google "local tailor" or pony up and buy something new.
Check your shirts for perspiration stains. Black and white on your referee shirt good. Black and yellow bad. Actually check anything white - knickers, referee throw down bags and the like - if they're dingy or discolored, then consider replacing.
Take a good look at your shoes and consider a professional shoe shine or DIY and replace shoelaces if needed. You don't want to tighten a shoelace only for it to snap just before your first game. Great advice from veteran officials is to carry a spare pair of shoelaces in your bag just in case.
Check your shin guard replacement straps and replace with a fairly inexpensive new one ($1.20) if needed.
Has it been two years or more since you replaced your mask or helmet padding? Protective properties can wane over time so buy a new set if it's been so long you can't remember when you bought your mask.
If you find that something gear-wise needs a good cleaning, mild soap and water does the trick for most things. Washing your cap in the dishwasher or washing machine with a cap cage will also work.
Check your clothing for loose buttons and threads and seek out a repair if necessary.

Hope that helps. What preseason or other tips do you have for your gear and clothing?

Back to the Referee Magazine article that inspired this off-the-top-of-my head checklist, it's a great read on page 24 for subscribers or if not subscribed, something worth considering. Smarter is always good.

Going Black Leads Trends in Football Official Apparel

2011-08-22T17:55:00.004-05:00

Last year, I posted a blog called "Top 5 What's Hot for Football Officials". It was a hodge-podge of non-related things. This year, when we looked at the top 5 hottest items, they fell into two categories, let's call them trends.

Trend #1 - Things that are black.
So we're talking pants and shorts mostly but also things that match it best.

Trend #2 - More advanced cards.
Yes, cards. Sounds silly, I know, but data cards and signal cards with more information on them are very hot ticket items this year.

Black Pants
So are white knickers (shorts, too) on the way out? It seems so. Knicker sales are down over 40% and with it are things related to them such as striped football socks and white ball center flags.

On the other extreme, since the NFL introduced black pants, you knew it wouldn't be long before that trickled down to the NCAA and high school levels. They just looked too good to not want a pair. The original motivation for the NFL officials was to offer a way to layer-up in cold weather where you couldn't do that with knickers. Combine the upgraded look with advanced fabrics and treatments, you can now go long pants even in warm weather. The result is that the NCAA and most high school football officials associations have now allowed black pants on the field for this 2011 season.

Now, there is something about a traditional 1" stripe referee shirt with the black pants. They just don't look as good as the 2" stripe. Too much black close together? I'm not sure. So one could say a trend is toward a 2" stripe shirt as well, which it is, but it's all a result of the trend to black pants. More black ball center flags, too.

So here are the top 5 of what's hot this year:

Smitty Warm Weather Football Pants
What can I say? Each season, there is one item that is THE hot item. This one, constructed of lighter weight polyester, wins hands down. Stock is currently good on these pants that are perfect for early season games or in warmer climates where the alternative Foul Weather Pants would be too heavy for comfort.
Smitty 2" Stripe Referee Shirts
There was quite a bit of buzz surrounding the 2" stripe for NCAA games with letters and flag patches built-in, but this one has done quite well. Again, the 2" stripe shirt will match the black pants better and those who don't need the letters or officiate different positions are going with the stripped-down 2" stripe version.
Smitty Comfortech Referee Shorts
Williams Signal Reference Card
Standard signal cards have been around for a while, but this one has both yardage and loss of down information for each penalty written in red right next to each signal. Why did it take so long to figure that out? At only $1.50 more than the standard, these are flying off the shelf.
RefSmart Rewritable Referee Information Card
Designed by officials for officials, this four page layout (that's 4 - not a misprint) is the most detailed game information card available that also folds and fits neatly anywhere. It is covered in a high-tech laminate that allows you to record information in pencil and then to erase.

First Football Catalog Introduced

2011-08-22T16:13:00.007-05:00

2011 marked the first time we published a product catalog for our customers, and we've followed up our initial baseball catalog with a football catalog, which is now available online in PDF format or in your mailbox.

The condensed catalog dedicates its 20 pages to many of our customer choice, made in the US and new items including new 2" stripe referee shirts, warm weather pants, western cut knickers and more.

Several new items that were decided on after publication that didn't make it into the catalog include RefSmart cards and towel.

If you want a quantity to share at your association meeting, please message sherry@ump-attire.com with your address and quantity desired.

COMING SOON: A Longer Wilson Platinum, Gold

2011-08-22T12:44:00.008-05:00

I met with Wilson's product manager (Jacqueline Rooney) and R&D manager (Bill Woessner) at their Chicago headquarters this past Friday. It's nice to know a company of their size and breadth is willing to listen to input from us and our umpire customers.

We discussed many current and potential umpire gear products that I'll discuss in greater detail in another post, but the one current exciting possibility is a longer size option for the Platinum and/or Gold Umpire Chest Protector. Not an extension (considered previously), but a longer size option for you taller guys who feel your ribs are not covered well with the current Platinum or Gold sizing. Go ahead. I'll pause while you celebrate.

(pause)

I'll hit you with another exciting news piece and that is making one (or both) of them longer would be a rather simple design change to the lower plate and padding. And simple means fast as in early 2012 fast!

(another pause for more celebration)

When they are available, sales will be tested only through ump-attire.com for 2012, just as the smaller and larger size options of the A3417 Charcoal Shin Guards were this year.

(pause while I celebrate)

So what are they waiting for? Well, they are waiting for you to calm down and tell them what you think. So what do you think? Which chest protector do you want longer and what size would you prefer? 14"? 15"? Or something in between?

Also read:
NOT WHAT YOU THINK: Lengths of Wilson Chest Protectors
Wilson Product Manager Highlights Chicago NCAA Clinic

Review of Forward Progress Book by Todd Skaggs

2011-08-14T19:14:00.003-05:00

Forward Progress, the book authored by current Division II and high school official Todd Skaggs, has the longest subtitle of any book I've ever seen.

Confessions from a Rookie College Football Official: Discover Proven Methods to Get Noticed, Move Up and Improve Your Officiating Skills

It's definitely all in there. Let's break down the X's and O's of the subtitle of the book that combines the wisdom from top level officials with the perceptions and humility from an up-and-coming one.

"Confessions"
Todd's story of the first penalty he ever called is a self-deprecating and humorous confession I'm not sure others would be so willing to share. You'll also find confessions from other officials as well from all levels through college to the NFL.
"Proven methods to get noticed"
One central theme of the book emphasizes officials controlling the things they can control and not worrying about things they can not. Looking good in uniform is an example of such a controllable aspect. As an officials supply store, how could we not like that suggestion?
"Move up"
If there is any one piece of advice offered by Forward Progress that is most crucial is the suggestion of finding a mentor, a good mentor (and also being one to someone else). His analogy of a barrel of monkeys is very fitting here, but I'll leave his book to explain that concept more fully.
"Improve Your Officiating Skills"
His video review how-tos and the 7 off-season development suggestions he lists are worth the price of the book alone.

Despite the long subtitle, I think it could be longer. Let me suggest adding:

Plus Guidance if You are Considering Becoming a Football Official

Todd finds space to share important considerations of balancing family, career and time needed to dedicate to learning the rules and mechanics that all prospective officials of any sport would be wise to read before putting on their referee or umpire uniform.

The one key takeaway in Forward Progress, a very easy 161-page read, is that officiating is a profession, one that you practice, with the goal of improving, no matter what your level. Todd provides specific guidelines to do just that in a very personable tone.

Learn more about the book here. Buy it from us if you'd like and then write your own review.

People and Photos from the NASO Summit 2011 - Atlanta

2011-08-11T14:16:00.009-05:00

This is our fifth year in a row to attend the yearly National Association of Sports Officials Summit. I have to say it was my favorite one so far. Maybe it was a little bit of the southern hospitality you expect in Georgia, maybe it was the nice setup they had for us and maybe it was the fact I brought Paul Hugues, our product manager, to help so that I could attend some sessions for a change.

Actually, I know it was the people I got to spend some time talking with. Let's see, chronologically:

Bill Kennedy, NBA Referee, who surprised everyone with his rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" at the opening session. Excellent referee and M.C. as well.
Mike Carter of Dalco - always good to see Mike
Joe Crawford - NBA Referee legend who I had never met before who was also a very good and lively panelist
Carl Johnson, head of officiating with the NFL and assistant Brian Flood - Thanks for the invite to New York to see the control room. Not sure I can pass that one up. See blog post regarding my conversation with Brian.
Richard Lister, author of The Third Team - NFL Officials, Their Lives, Their Stories - An excellent read for officials of any sport that I'm about 11 chapters in so far.
Justin Klemm and Darren Spagnardi of PBUC and the new "The Umpire School" - A truly excellent and professional 1 hour presentation that umpires at every level should have the privilege of seeing.
Julian Tackett, KHSAA Commissioner and the rest of his Kentucky contingent (Angela Passiufume, Burney Jenkins, Ross Meloan and Steve Jones)
Jim Arehart and others from NASO/Referee Magazine (they really put on a very good conference but I'm still waiting for them to plan one in Louisville. Have your theme already: The City of Possibilities for What is Possible in Officiating. Whadya' think?)
Cindy Wilson with the Alliance of Women Sports Officials who always lets me know their aren't enough options for females in umpire and referee apparel. (I know Cindy. I know. We are trying.)
And all the customers new and old who stopped by the booth and said hello.

Myself and Richard Lister, author of The Third Team

Justin Klemm, PBUC and The Umpire School in baseball breakout session

Myself and Steve Jones, Louisville HS Softball Umpire Association President

Paul with customer extraordinaire Dick Davidson

L to R: Georgia Officials Bill Bailey, Dennis Frank and E.Y. Foley

NFL Continues to Use Made in USA Penalty Flags

2011-08-03T16:20:00.004-05:00

L to R: Jim Kirk, Brian Flood and the Original Long Toss Penalty Flag

While at the 2011 NASO Summit, I had the privilege of meeting several members of the NFL Officiating Department, including head of officiating Carl Johnson and Brian Flood, who wears several hats within the department in addition to his title of instant replay assistant.

As is typical of me, I wanted to discuss the NFL uniform. And while the entire uniform is changing from Reebok to Nike soon, accessories including penalty flags that will be thrown at an NFL stadium near you will continue to made by Officials Flags N' Bags, a small Florida based business that also provides our supply of the very same long toss penalty flags to our amateur level officials.

If you've followed along at all, many officials' sporting goods companies have in the past few years changed the design of this ball center flag in an attempt to circumvent patent issues and acquire them at a less cost. One can easily do a quick side by side comparison to see that the original Officials Flags n' Bags flag is a much superior product.

And while this would be a much more exciting article to write saying that the NFL decided to allow us to outfit their entire official's uniform, at least it's nice to see we are on the same page with them on the quality of this one very key item in the officiating arsenal.

View more football accessories including Made in the USA Ump-Attire throw down bags.

Attended Largest Gathering of Officials Ever in Atlanta

2011-08-01T08:12:00.002-05:00

We attended the largest gathering of officials ever at "Georgia Officiate Day" in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday July 30th.

Over 1,600 officials in the Georgia Athletic Officials Association from various sports, mostly football, came to the Cobb Galleria Center where myself and Product Manager Paul Hugues showcased mostly football referee products and talked with customers.

What gained most interest were the Smitty Warm Weather pants just approved for wear in high school officials in Georgia.

Thanks to all those who stopped by to spend time with us.

Photo Note: I wish I had taken photos of all those at the booth as I recall at one time they were about 4 deep across the tables, but of course, I was busy working the booth and didn't plan ahead well enough to have someone else do that for us. This is the shot that was the calm before the storm.

Successful Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Celebrated

2011-07-20T14:05:00.011-05:00

July marked the conclusion of our breast cancer awareness campaign, and by any measure it was a great success. We are proud to be a part of a community that embraces an important cause and is willing to not only raise funds with their donations, but awareness - by wearing pink and donning pink whistles - for a disease that strikes so many families.

Ump-Attire.com staff welcomes Amanda Caffe from Louisville's Susan G. Komen affiliate. From left: Sherry Spalding, Emily Crabtree, Amanda Caffe, Jim Kirk, Anessa Arehart, Amanda Tricase, Jeanne Nelson.

To celebrate the campaign's success, we invited Amanda Caffe from the Louisville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to join us for lunch at the office, where we presented her with a final check totaling $6,420 in funds raised, collected through the sale of over 1,000 pink umpire shirts and 1,500 pink whistles!

After touring the warehouse and enjoying a catered lunch, Ms. Caffe explained to staff how the money our customers helped us raise goes for research and to help women in the community who are in need of life-saving screenings, treatment options and extended care.

Jim presents Ms. Caffe with a check to Komen for the Cure.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Dalco Athletic, manufacturer of the pink umpire shirt, who donated over $1,000 of the above total, and to each of you who helped spread the word about BLUE for Pink: Umpires Against Breast Cancer and Blow the Whistle Against Breast Cancer!

With your help, we exceeded our original fundraising goal of $5,000 and raised significant awareness within the officiating community.

I am personally grateful to all our staff. Most notable include Anessa and Jeanne who spearheaded that we do a campaign involving the sale of pink items, Sherry who organized the joint effort between us and Komen and served as liason, Amanda who provided her magic touch to all of the campaign's literature and Facebook efforts and to those umpires and officials who provided input into our campaigns from help designing the logo to the shirt and more (you know who you are). It was a superb team effort all the way around.

Customers Choice Seal Awarded to Umpire Products

2011-07-07T11:09:00.000-05:00

Every season we look at each item in each category and evaluate them on sales, returns and your feedback. Products that have the best sales for their category, the fewest returns, and the most positive reviews from our customers are awarded the distinction of Customers Choice.

Majestic Therma Base Jacket: Truly in a league of their own, these one-of-a-kind heavyweight jackets kept a lot of umpires warm in colder climates during the early part of the season. Look for a black jacket with black and white stripes in 2012.

Wilson Titanium Mask with Natural Tan Padding: This is the second year in a row we’ve provided you with a Wilson Titanium mask that has a padding option you won't find anywhere else. Last year it was the all-black, and this year you are also choosing the natural tan leather in addition to the all-black. As of the date of this post, we still have a limited number available.

All-Star Pro Model System 7 Helmet: All-Star’s helmet upgrade has competed well against the Wilson Shock FX. Owners of the All-Star helmet will say they like it better than Wilson's, but it’s a difficult comparison given the different features. The padding and shell features of this System 7 helmet are surely an upgrade in protection over their 2500 entry but without the higher price of the titanium frame version.

Champro Pro Plus Chest Protector: When we posted our Top 10 “What’s Hot for Umpires” in 2011, we mentioned this had quickly become our #2 best selling umpire chest protector. Thanks to its better design compared to the the Pro Nine CPU model, and the boost of a mid-summer sale, you have now made it #1.

Shock Doctor Compression Tights with Bio Flex Cup: I considered naming these a Customers Choice item last year when we introduced them, but I was waiting for some good (or bad) feedback. After seeing these continue to sell well in 2011, and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, our customers are clearly choosing them more than other tights.

View all Customer Choice items for baseball and feel free to tell us what your favorite product or products is.

Diamond Cuts Ultimate Umpire Bag to Right Length

2011-07-07T09:56:00.001-05:00

Size does matter when it comes to equipment bags. When Diamond introduced the 36" Umpire's Equipment Bag, it quickly become a hot ticket item. I took it to Denver for a NASO Summit and found it a little too bulky for my taste, although it did fit the kitchen sink I brought along, in addition to an assortment of items for the yearly show-and-tell.

Then Diamond introduced a 30" version with a telescopic handle that I found I liked better. It was less cumbersome to me and easier to manage, although it contained about 20% less room.

By the inch, the 36" was still the better deal at only a few dollars more, if storage was what you needed. Umpires ordered those more often than the smaller bags, but that left us with two options. More options meant more inventory, and these things take up more space in our warehouse than anything else we sell.

Enter the new 33" bag size from Diamond for summer 2011. The 33" bag will do away completely with the 30" and 36", and will thankfully have the telescopic handle. So the result: more in-bag room than the 30", better maneuverability than the 36", and eventually more storage space in the warehouse for us. In other words, it's the best of all worlds.

For now, pick what you want. We have only a few of the 36" left, a few more of the 30" and stock already of the 33".

Through July, readers of the blog can take $10 off any of the bag sizes when you use coupon code 3BAGS10 at checkout.

Named Exclusive Vendor for Derby City Umpire Clinic

2011-07-04T20:14:00.004-05:00

We really like our local umpires, and Louisville has such a large cast of excellent umpires, including those with the Southeast Independent Umpires Association. So when they asked if we would be interested in becoming the exclusive vendor of the Derby City Umpire Clinic, how could we say no?

The Derby City Umpire Clinic is geared towards umpires who would like to umpire at the collegiate level. The weekend-long clinic will be held September 9-11, 2011, at the Derby City Baseball Complex in Louisville, Kentucky. Training at the camp will emphasize two man mechanics, situational awareness, handling situations, rule discussions and live game situations.


SIUA Umpires (from left) Scott Kennedy, Brandon Cooper and Nathan Huber.

The SIUA has organized a stellar cast of instructors, field personnel and guest speakers for the clinic, including College World Series umpires Perry Costello and Jim Jackson and other D-I umpires including Scott Kennedy, John Bennett and Brandon Cooper.

As the official vendor, we are proud to provide a complimentary Diamond HOTSPORT shirt for each participant.

Umpires interested in participating in this event can download a registration form here, or contact Chuck Barnett with the SIUA for more information at 502-291-5758.

The Umpires Behind our 2011 Baseball Promotion

2011-06-14T13:12:00.026-05:00

Hopefully by now you've had a chance to see at least one of the umpire collector's cards we published for the 2011 season. A playful take on the questionable gear and apparel choices made by some umpires, the cards were included in each shipment from January to June and featured local umpires as models, as well as a coupon code good for future purchases. Each card featured an umpire making a "bad call" with his uniform, contrasted with an umpire making a "good call" with a featured new Ump-Attire.com product.

When we planned the campaign, we knew we wanted to use local umpires to model the gear and apparel. The only problem with that is that we'd be asking one of them to wear it all wrong. We knew we'd have to find somebody with a good sense of humor, who could be a good sport about looking a little silly in uniform. We didn't have to look far to find Nathan Huber, who enthusiastically volunteered to be our "bad call" umpire.

John Bennett (right) demonstrates how nicely his Smitty adjustable waist pants fit.

Despite his appearance as Mr. Bad Call, Nate is actually an accomplished professional umpire. A Louisville native, Nate got his start with 9-10 year old fall league baseball in 1998. He went on to attend high school and college camps in 1999 and 2000, and graduated from the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in 2001. After bouncing around in the minor leagues for 4 years, Nate currently works Div. I conference baseball and fills in at the AAA level. When he isn't umpiring, Nate works for Clear Channel Radio as an Account Executive. When it comes to equipment, Nate is most particular about his mask. He says, "If the mask doesn't fit right, I won't be comfortable from the first pitch."

Nathan Huber at Triple-A Louisville.

Nathan Huber (left) in an "antique" Elbeco umpire shirt. Roger Fulks (right) in an Ump Attire Ultimate shirt.

In addition to Nate, who posed as the "bad call" umpire on all six cards, we were able to convince six other local umpires to volunteer an evening of their time to pose in various apparel and gear. Each photo shoot was a lot of fun, with plenty of jokes and war stories and good-natured ribbing among the umpires.

Roger Fulks.

Roger Fulks has been umpiring since 1994, and received his training through KBUA and SIUA camps and classes. He's currently umpiring Div. I baseball in the OVC, Atlantic Sun and Sun Belt Conferences, and is employed as a Transportation Manager for Mercer Transportation here in Lousiville. His favorite piece of equipment is his titanium face mask.

(from left) Scott Kennedy, Brandon Cooper, Nathan Huber at the University of Louisville.

Scott Kennedy in the Champro low-profile shin guards, nearly undetectable as worn properly, unlike Nathan's.

Scott Kennedy has been umpiring since 1992. He attended the Harry Wendelstedt School in 1997, where he went on to be an instructor for 9 years. He has umpired at the Triple-A level and MLB Spring Training, and currently works Div. I college baseball in the SEC, ACC, Sunbelt and OVC. Scott works for the Kentucky Court system dealing with juveniles when he is not umpiring. His favorite piece of equipment is his West Vest chest protector.

Brandon Cooper (right) doesn't need ski gear to stay warm in the popular Majestic Therma Base jacket.

Brandon Cooper began umpiring in 1998 as a way to earn money while in college. In 1999 he attended the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Florida. He went on to umpire in the Minor Leagues from 1999 to 2006, reaching Triple-A in 2005. Brandon currently umpires Div. I college baseball in the Ohio Valley Conference and the Big East. When he's not umpiring, Brandon works as a Probation/Parole Officer for the state of Kentucky.


Manny Gonzalez behind the plate.

Manny Gonzalez (right) with a much nicer gear bag than Nathan's.

Manny Gonzalez started umpiring in 2002 while attending Georgetown College. He received most of his training from Bob Howard and Jay Asher, in addition to SIUA training and attending college camps around the region. The highest level he's worked so far has been Div. I in the OVC. He's also worked a Div. II Regional. Currently employed by the Department of Revenue as a Tax Specialist, Manny's favorite piece of umpiring equipment is his protective cup.

Cedric Coleman at the JUCO World Series.

Cedric wearing the natural tan/titanium Wilson mask.

Cedric Coleman has been umpiring baseball for 20 years, since he was 13 years old. He got his start doing local Little League games and was trained by his dad, Clarence Coleman. "I've spent many summers on the diamond with Pops, and have learned a lot about the game and honing my skills," says Cedric. A Programmer Analyst for the Department of Corrections, Cedric currently umpires Div. I college baseball and has also had the opportunity to work some post-season games, including the JUCO World Series in 2009 and 2010, as well as the 2011 OVC Tournament. Cedric's favorite piece of equipment is his Shock Doctor cup.

Officials at Risk of Heat-Related Illness

2011-06-01T10:20:00.001-05:00

As temperatures and humidity levels soar during the summer months, so do incidences of heat-related illness among athletes. Every year preventable heat-related illness and dehydration syndromes affect thousands of athletes at all levels of competition.

At equal risk of heat-related illness are umpires and other sports officials who are exposed to extreme conditions, often during the hottest times of the day. Being aware of the conditions, their symptoms, and means of prevention, are crucial for anyone working or participating in sports in the heat.

What is heat-related illness?

Heat-related illnesses and dehydration symptoms include heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition. Under normal conditions, your body is able to regulate its temperature by sweating; heat is transferred from the body by the sweat evaporating on your skin. Unfortunately for umpires and athletes, much of your skin is covered by clothing and gear, and there is not adequate skin exposure to facilitate your body's natural cooling mechanism. In addition to that, high humidity levels also impair evaporation, putting you at greater risk.

Other factors can contribute to your risk of heat-related illness, including caffeine and alcohol intake prior to heat exposure, certain medications, being overweight, and being in poor physical condition. Some health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can increase your personal risk. If you are being treated for a health condition, consult your physician about your risk before stepping onto the field.

What can I do to prevent heat-related illness?

Monitor your physical condition during games for signs or symptoms of heat-related illness. Keep an eye on your crew members as well!
Take frequent breaks when possible. If there is shade available, try and move into a shaded area for breaks.
Remove your hat, mask, or other headgear often to maximize heat loss.
Drink often and drink regularly; by the time you are thirsty, you are already experiencing a significant fluid deficit.
Drink more than just water; when you are exerting yourself in hot weather, you are losing electrolytes as well. Replacing lost fluids with water alone can lead to electrolyte imbalances.

What symptoms should I look for?
Heat cramps affect people who are sweating a lot during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes your body's salt and moisture levels.
Symptoms:

Muscle cramps, pain or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs.
May be accompanied by loss of energy.

First Aid:

Take a break from activity in a cool place.
Drink a sports beverage or water with food to aid absorption.
Avoid strenuous activity for a few hours after cramps subside.
Seek medical attention if you have heart problems, are on a low-sodium diet, or if the cramps do not subside within an hour.

Heat exhaustion is your body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through sweating.
Symptoms:

Rapid heartbeat
Heavy sweating.
Extreme weakness or fatigue.
Dizziness.
Nausea/vomiting.
Irritability.
Fast, shallow breathing.
Elevated body temperature.

First Aid:

Rest in a cool area.
Drink plenty of water or other cool beverage to replace lost fluids.
Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
Lie down with your legs elevated to ease dizziness and headaches.

Heat stroke is a condition that occurs when your body becomes unable to regulate its temperature. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that calls for immediate medical assistance.
Symptoms:

High body temperature.
Confusion.
Loss of coordination.
Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating.
Throbbing headache.
Seizures, unconsciousness, coma.

First Aid:

Seek immediate medical assistance.
Move the victim to a cool, shaded area.
Remove excess clothing and apply ice packs or cool water to their body.

How do other umpires prevent heat-related illness?

Many umpires we spoke to have a plan in place for being sufficiently hydrated prior to working a game, as well as tips for staying cool and hydrated while on the field. The general consensus seems to be that avoiding dehydration syndrome starts the day before, by drinking lots of water.

Umpire Chris Guidry notes, "Hydrate the day/night before. Keep taking in fluids all day from the beginning. If you have to run to the restroom between games, that's a good sign you are staying hydrated."

In areas where humidity is less of an issue, many umpires find that soaking their hat or gear in ice water prior to the game, or using cold packs or towels helps with evaporation and regulating your temperature. It is important to note that while this may keep you more comfortable, you should still replace lost fluids frequently.

Have you ever experienced heat-related illness or dehydration syndrome while umpiring? How did you treat your symptoms?

Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); National Center for Sports Safety; Gatorade Sports Science Institute.

An Umpire's Protective Gear Should Include Sunscreen

2011-05-11T13:51:00.010-05:00

As an umpire, you are required to protect yourself at all times on the field. No umpire would dream of working a game without a mask to protect his head and face, a chest protector to protect his body, shin guards, a cup, plate shoes, and so on. Yet many umpires take the field every day with their skin unprotected, and skin cancer can do a lot more damage than a baseball!

After reading a news article about an umpire battling back from skin cancer, we were curious to know whether our customers were making a point to protect their skin while umpiring, and we were glad to hear back from many guys that they do indeed keep SPF in their gear bags.

Umpire Clint Sherbet says of wearing sunscreen, "ALWAYS! And reapply in between games... Not wearing any is not worth the risk!"

We couldn't agree more! With most games being played between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's rays are at their strongest, you are risking sun damage every time you take the field, even on overcast days.

The American Cancer Society offers several tips for protecting your skin while you are outside, including using at least 1 ounce of broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, as well as lip balm with SPF and UV absorbing sunglasses. While your umpire cap may provide some shade for your face, it's important to apply SPF on your face as well as the back of your neck and the tops of your ears. Make sure to apply sunscreen in the locker room or in your vehicle before you go outside, so the lotion will absorb into your skin. Be sure to reapply if you get sweaty.

BLUE for Pink Campaign Makes a Difference for One Ump-Attire.com Staffer.

2011-04-28T08:51:00.000-05:00

We are really proud and excited about our BLUE for Pink Campaign, which helps to raise breast cancer awareness in the umpiring community, as well as donations for Susan G. Komen for the Cure through the sale of pink umpire shirts. The feedback we've gotten from the umpiring community has been great: this is a cause that comes close to home for a lot of umpires and their families. But we've never been so glad to be a part of the breast cancer awareness effort as we were earlier this month when one Ump-Attire.com staff member decided to follow through on getting screened for breast cancer.

After detecting a lump and experiencing some soreness, our team member was reluctant and fearful of the mammogram procedure and what it might involve. She'd heard the procedure was painful and scary and, like many women, was afraid of receiving bad news. But she was inspired by our efforts to reach out to the umpire community and encourage women to be screened, and made an appointment for a mammogram. She reported that the procedure was actually not as bad as she'd feared, and was quick and mostly painless. She hoped that by sharing her story, it might help encourage another woman to overcome their fear and make the decision to have this very important cancer screening, because early detection is your best defense against breast cancer.

Mammography is the best screening tool available for detecting breast cancer, and the American Cancer Society recommends a yearly mammogram for women age 40 and over who are at average risk of developing breast cancer. For more information about mammography and other screening recommendations, please visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Understanding Breast Cancer section.

Staff Feature: Krista Wolf

2011-04-27T08:39:00.001-05:00

Krista joined our Customer Service team in January and has quickly become a valuable part of the department. We pride ourselves on providing superior customer service and attention to our customers specific concerns, and Krista has done a remarkable job of taking those principles to heart every day, especially since she joined us in the midst of our busiest season ever.

Trained in Commercial and Interior Design, Krista comes to Ump-Attire.com with a strong background in accounting and bookkeeping, which shows in her attention to every detail. Customer Service manager Anessa describes Krista as a cheerful and good-hearted self-starter who took to her training right away. "Krista is conscientious and courteous, and a natural at Customer Service from her years of retail experience."

In her spare time, Krista enjoys spending time with her husband Ernie and her 2.5 year old son, Hayden. She enjoys traveling and says, "I am well traveled, having been an army brat. I have lived in many interesting places including Germany and Hawaii, but I have lived in Kentucky now for 16 years and love it!" She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, and shopping.

NCAA Umpires Wear Pink on Cancer Awareness Night

2011-04-21T09:51:00.000-05:00

(left to right) Tracy Smith, Head Coach, Indiana University; Brandon Cooper; Scott Kennedy; Nathan Huber; Dan McDonnell, Head Coach, University of Louisville.

When NCAA umpires Nathan Huber, Scott Kennedy and Brandon Cooper realized they would be working together on Cancer Awareness Night at the University of Louisville, their first call was to their friends at Ump-Attire.com. As part of the event--which raised funds for Gilda's Club through Home Runs for Hope--both teams wore special uniforms with pink details, and the umpire crew wanted to be able to show their support on the field as well. This was especially true for Kennedy, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor.

We were of course thrilled to get them set up with pink shirts for such an important event, and Ump-Attire.com staff member Amanda headed out to the ballpark to see them prepare for the game.

Cooper, who had the plate, said of the event, "We all thought it would be a great way to participate for such a worthy cause. The pink shirts definitely stood out on the field. I have a couple of family members who are cancer survivors, and I thought it would be a good way to represent them."

Huber was excited to finally participate in an event for a great cause. "I think it shows that umpires are human and care about the people around them. Some of the stories really tug at your heart strings. It really puts things in perspective that baseball is just a game but breast cancer is very real."

The Development of the XL Ultimate Ball Bag and its Features

2011-04-02T11:04:00.006-05:00

When we launched the re-designed Ump-Attire Ultimate Ball Bag two years ago, one of our main goals was to make it look like the most professional ball bag on the market. At the time, the original Ultimate Ball Bag although highly functional was dated and in bad need of a re-design in fabric and layout from a professional point of view.

In order to shake away from any of the concerns of a professional look, we went all out to correct the concerns of the original - that we discontinued (but still have some who still want the old style). We elected to go with a sharp compact design at 10 1/2 inches wide so there would be no issues of bunching around belt loops.

We also chose a pouch that fit snug at the opening so it didn't hang loose and/or sloppy. Again,the goal was for it to look as professional as any ball bag around.

In addition, I had in my sights a desire for a bag with waterproofing characteristics after seeing an older +POS model years ago. So this was an opportunity to do this and also add more luster to the "Ultimate" name by adding a waterproof interior lining with the intent to stop moisture from seeping through sweat off pants.

The response was great - great sales and excellent reviews of a pro style bag!

Professional look of the U2P Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag

However, some wanted something more. Some wanted something different.

Some such as Bryan Henryk felt the opening was too tight for their hand to easily fit in.
Several customers such as Kory Green loved wanted one bigger and/or more able to hold more baseballs.
And a few including College World Series umpire Tony Maners, wanted even more waterproofing so that perspiration would not saturate and eventually seep in through the other side or even the top in the most extreme cases.

I met with Beulah Hester, designer of the original and subsequent versions of the Ultimate Ball Bag to discuss an alternative choice last fall. Beulah's specialty is most definitely working with a combination of design, fabrics and construction to give our customers what they want.

The big question was "Would new add new features to the current Ultimate bag or would we offer an alternative?" Due to the overwhelming success and likability by many of the current one, we felt an alternative was the way to go.

What she proposed was:

A tapered design that would by design make the opening bigger and at the same time would be tapered at a greater angle at the belt loops so that bunching not be an issue.
Add a complete, continuous layer of nylon waterproofing throughout the interior part of the bag and inside the belt loops for extra measure.
And of course a larger bag large enough for 3 baseballs to lay side by side at the bottom of the bag

Other things: We elected to go with colors of navy and black only. Grey is tricky on the issue of matching pant color of one brand or another. Besides, the ones asking for the changes wore black and navy. Hey, if you want gray we have other options at least for now.

Despite wavering, we also elected to go with the same back, zippered compartment that has always been a part of the Ultimate Ball Bag. It's a no-brainer really. Having a layer of waterproofing makes two layers of fabric. Cutting and sewing in a zipper is as easy and practical an option as adding a storage space under your stairs for those of you who want to take something with you on the field or is unobtrusive if you don't.

Both colors arrived recently of the new XL Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag, the largest and driest ball bag on the market today.

The XL Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag

Comparing the two bags:

FEATURES: Ultimate / XL Ultimate
SIZE: 12 3/4" tall x 10 1/2" wide / 13" tall x 12" wide at bottom
SHAPE: Standard / Tapered
WATERPROOFING: Interior lined / Fully lined
COLORS: Black, Navy and Grey / Black and Navy
INTERIOR POCKETS: Yes / Yes
ZIPPERED COMPARTMENT: Yes / Yes
HEAVY DUTY CONSTRUCTION AND FABRIC: Yes / Yes

The first official review is in from Kory Green:

"I would suggest the XL Ultimate Umpire ball bag to anyone. They wear great. I worked a game this past weekend and it rained off and on and the bag liner did its job in keeping me dry. Not a big fan of the zipper on the back side but it works if you are umpiring and want to take you car keys with you."

What do you think about the XL bag? Like the new features? Have a suggestion for more improvements?

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Going Strong

2011-04-01T20:13:00.004-05:00

We have been very pleased with the BLUE for Pink: Umpires Against Breast Cancer campaign.

Not only have we raised over $1,500 to date through the sale of Dalco pink umpire shirts, we have reached thousands through the awareness part of our campaign via a full page Referee Magazine ad in the current issue and our educational inserts in over 10,000 packages.

Continue to help us strike out against breast cancer by purchasing a pink shirt, wearing it with pride to raise awareness and by taking steps to prevent breast cancer by encouraging those in your life who are female and over 40 to have a mammogram.

Follow the campaign closely, share comments or stories, receive more tips on prevention, post photos of you wearing the pink shirt at www.facebook.com/blueforpink.

Introducing UmpVision, an Ump-Attire.com Exclusive

2011-04-01T08:00:00.006-05:00

Update: This blog post was conceived as an April Fool's joke for our readers. It was apparently a good one, as we've received lots of emails requesting to test this fictional product! But in reality, we are not testing any new umpire goggles at this time. Thanks to all our readers for being great sports!

Are coaches, players and fans constantly harassing you about your strike zone? Ever have trouble calling balls and strikes on the outside corner when you are in the slot position? Or is your vision simply getting worse with age?

You may never have to worry about any of that again. Ump-Attire.com has been working secretly in partnership with a major military-industrial manufacturer to use technology employed in night vision to develop state-of-the-art Ball-Strike Detector Goggles, called UmpVision.

A prototype--tested with local umpires in a batting cage--was just approved for a US Patent (patent number #20110401).

The technology will be worn and field tested extensively at all levels throughout the 2011 season. Look for it at a ballpark near you or contact Sherry Spalding at sherry@ump-attire.com if you are interested in being a part of testing this game-changing product.

How does it work? Night vision works by amplifying existing light several thousand times. The white of the baseball and of home plate is already bright in contrast to its surroundings, so light from these objects is enhanced to infrared levels by night vision technology. Here, the goggles’ sensors can easily and automatically detect and then simultaneously calculate where the ball is as it crosses home plate.

The decision will be rendered visually on an integrated LCD display along with an auditory cue so that the umpire can then relay the ball or strike call to others in his or her own individualized and/or overly dramatic way.

"I can't contain my excitement!" said Jim Kirk, CEO of Ump-Attire.com. "Not only will it seriously impact our overall position in the marketplace, it will forever increase the respect umpires receive by giving them one less thing for those on the field, in the stands or at home on their couches to be mad at them about."

Some baseball purists may argue that this will lead to more technologies replacing umpires. On the contrary, just as instant replay on foul/fair and home run calls implemented in 2008 at the MLB level has not replaced umpires, this technology, will only enhance the profession (and without all the the umpires having to run under the dugout to make a decision). Umpires are still required to understand the rules, make other calls, eject managers and wear the equipment and apparel we sell.

With each strike or ball, the umpire will hear a familiar "click,” and the count will be automatically tallied and shown on-screen. With each new hitter, the umpire can press a button on the side for no-look resets to the count.

So the only thing the Ball-Strike Detector Goggles will replace besides QuesTec, the controversial MLB umpire ball-strike feedback and evaluation system, are hand-held ball-strike indicators. It will make those as out-of-style as balloon-style chest protectors and plate coats.

We have had our share of kinks. Currently, the lithium battery technology can only last through a typical three and a half hour nine inning game.

Besides increasing battery life, we are working on including a flip-up mechanism and increasing the font size on the LCD screens for far-sighted umpires.

UmpVision will fit on any helmet and standard profile masks. It is expected to debut for retail in the spring of 2012 for about $499, barring any glitches or red tape with the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), the governing body behind night vision technologies.

College Umpires a Good Call in Shoot for Marketing Campaign

2011-03-23T11:04:00.002-05:00

If you've purchased anything from Ump-Attire.com in 2011, you might have noticed a little something extra in your package. We've had a lot of fun working on our Bad Call / Good Call collector's card campaign, which playfully points out an umpire making some "bad calls" with his gear and uniform choices, in contrast to umpires making "good calls" by sporting some of our featured umpire products for 2011. We could not have pulled off this campaign without the help of some local umpires who graciously volunteered to model for us during a recent photo shoot.

Cedric Coleman and Todd Teague

With photographer Ray Turner manning the camera, NCAA umpires Manny Gonzalez, Cedric Coleman, Scott Kennedy and Roger Fulks (alongside our volunteer catcher Todd Teague) showed off their mechanics in Wilson and Champro gear, and our Ump-Attire Ultimate shirts. They joined the ranks of umpires Brandon Cooper and John Bennett, who have also been featured in the campaign.

Meanwhile, NCAA umpire Nathan Huber has been a great sport playing our "bad call" umpire, making one uniform faux pas after another.


Nathan Huber, showing how not to wear shin guards.

From left: Manny Gonzalez, Roger Fulks, Cedric Coleman, Nathan Huber; kneeling, Scott Kennedy.

The Bad Call / Good Call cards are a limited edition set of 6; look for yours in your next package from Ump-Attire.com!

3rd Annual Umps Care Charities Online Auction

2011-03-09T10:09:00.001-05:00

Tickets to the 2011 MLB All-Star Game in Phoenix and PGA Championship event tickets are among the highlights of more than 200 great items up for bid today in the UMPS CARE Charities 3rd Annual Online Auction. The auction starts March 9 and ends at 10 p.m. EDT on March 20 at www.biddingforgood.com/UmpsCare

In addition to the items mentioned above, there is something for everyone in this year's auction. We were happy to donate a Wilson Titanium umpire mask with tan wraparound padding, an Ump-Attire.com exclusive item.
Some of the other items up for auction include:

A Major League Baseball jersey autographed by President Obama
Game-worn cleats signed by Albert Pujols, a signed Roy Halladay perfect game baseball, and other signed sports memorabilia
Opportunities to watch batting practice from the field at many MLB ballparks
More than 50 suites or 24-ticket blocks from Minor League Baseball clubs for fans to see some of baseball’s rising stars up close
Several golf packages at some of the country's best courses, including a round of golf with ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt
2-night stays at a number of luxury hotels

The auction is a major fundraiser for UMPS Care Charities, the official charity of Major League Umpires. All proceeds from the Online Auction support UMPS CARE Charities youth programs to provide Major League Baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption, Build-A-Bear Workshop® experiences for hospitalized children coping with serious illnesses, college scholarships for deserving young adults who were adopted as children, and financial assistance for families in need.

This year's Online Auction will also feature a number of "Bid for a Buck" items announced at random times via Twitter and Facebook. The bidding for these items will start at $1 and will be available for a day or less throughout the auction. Follow @UmpsCare on Twitter or Facebook for details.

Top 10 What's Hot for Umpires in 2011

2011-03-03T10:28:00.007-05:00

After reviewing your collective purchases for January and February, this is our current Top 10 "What's Hot" List for Umpires in 2011:

1. All-Star System 7 Series MVP4000-SL Umpire Helmet
Currently our best selling umpire helmet, the System 7 is an upgrade in protection at least in the areas of its nitrile forehead padding and its polycarbonate shell. Price-wise, it sits in between the MVP2500 which doesn't have those 2 special features and the much more expensive titanium frame that we do not carry that is only 3 ounces later. If you want a System 7 series helmet this is the one you want for protection and price.

2. Champro CG1 Low Profile Triple Knee Shin Guards
When you add a pair of shin guards and it becomes your second best selling shin guard out of the bunch you take notice. It's triple-knee low-profile design at that price makes it hard for someone not to consider this shin guard when making a decision.

3. Champro CP135 Soft Shell Umpire Chest Protector
This year finds us pulling this chest protector out of our starter package to sell on its own, and the results are that it has become our second best selling chest protector to date for 2011. We are not surprised. The Champro is most similar to our Pro Nine CPU model and with it's better design and lower cost, it's an obvious one to look at when deciding on a soft shell CP.

4. Majestic Therma Base Umpire Jackets
People love this cold weather jacket, and I always love showing it off. Feels great. Looks great. If I had it in more stripe combinations it would be our runaway best seller in about any category. Next year hopefully this will come to fruition.

5. Majestic Cool Base Umpire Shirts
They sure do look different but I guess as Arby's says "Different is Good". Is it a fad or a trend? Stay tuned. It is what the MLB guys wear so the typical bet is these will trickle down in about 2 or 3 years...at least as long sales hold up. And right now, sales for these are solid.

6. Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirts
When you have a quality American made umpire product, you push it. Our marketing is paying off not only in sales but increased awareness I'm seeing in umpires knowing where their umpire shirts are made, especially as more competitors are moving production overseas.

7. Dalco Pink Umpire Shirt
Umpires are liking this shirt not just for breast cancer awareness but they just like it. Scary, yes, I know. Being featured in Referee Magazine was nice as well.

8. Wilson Tan Non-Wrap Around Replacement Mask Padding
I have already discussed the trend in replacement padding, and if I had to pick a poster child, I'll grab this one due to strong sales. The Wilson doeskin is still our best seller but this less bulky option is a close second mainly because it is more likely to fit better in any brand mask due to not having the wrap-around style that is geared to fit in Wilson masks only.

9. Robic Stopwatch
I hear more and more about faster college games due to less offense from the new bats that might make the new rule obsolete that led to a need for NCAA guys to wear a stopwatch in the first place. The inside tip if you get one of these is to set it to 23 seconds so that the first beep that occurs at 3 seconds left is the only one you need.

10. Shock Doctor CrushTech Forearm Guards
Umpires are liking the CrushTech Forearm Guards. Do you get hit on the forearm often? If so, consider the CrushTech forearm guard from Shock Doctor. Several umpires have asked us to sell some type of forearm protection as either a preventive measure or to protect a current injury, such as a bruise from a pitched or foul ball. We felt the Shock Doctor brand guard provided a more professional look, suited for umpires, could also be worn easily under a long sleeve jacket or shirt and that didn't look like a standard one used for football players. Featured in Referee Magazine.

What's Hot Criteria: 80% sales increase or more compared to last January or new products that are selling at top or close to it in their categories.

Replacement Mask Padding a 2011 Trend

2011-02-07T12:41:00.004-05:00

So what is it? An emphasis on safety? A need to replace high end titanium mask padding without having to get a new mask? A desire to play Dr. Frankenstein by using a preferred padding from one manufacturer on a favorite frame from another to bring an entirely new mask to life? Perhaps, I'd say we are seeing a little of all three.

Whether it's from umpires at the NCAA clinics, meetings, emails and on Facebook or from blog writers wanting to compare and contrast available padding options, I would say the interest no matter the reason would be somewhat of a trend.

During one of the main NCAA umpire clinic sessions in Phoenix, I poked my head in to listen for a bit. There was only one thing that the NCAA mentioned as far as umpire safety during the meeting and that was a consideration to replace your mask padding after a few years. I spoke with Tom Hiler, Director of Umpires, informally about this point of emphasis after the session as well as with Jacqueline Rooney, Wilson product manager, and they both concurred that padding should be replaced more often as the protective qualities of foam does degrade over time.

Besides, I have seen some umpires show me their mask padding they have never replaced, and I can tell you there is a tendency to hold onto your old pads for too long...no doubt.

So let's say you have a $45 mask and your padding gets old. You might upgrade to a whole new mask. But what if you bought a titanium mask for $200 a few years back when they were new, well you are likely just going to have the replacement padding changed out for under $40. So the trend not only appears for safety sake but also have some economic reasons as well.

Fortunately, we have more replacement padding options than we have ever have. You can go with the lower end Diamond replacement or the preferred higher end Wilson replacements. For best fit, I would recommend the highly requested and recently received special order Wilson traditional padding (non wrap around padding). We have it in tan and in black, and I'm glad to finally be able to say "yes" when customers ask "Can you get the Wilson padding without the wrap around?" "Yes! Yes! Yes!", we have it.

You know I'm always talking safety so I would normally be pushing the Wilson wrap around replacement padding but recent batches from China are just not fitting the titanium frames just the way I would like it. The doeskin (A3815) comes the closest. Wilson is working to remedy that problem.

We are not the only umpire gear retailer to up the ante on replacement padding. Our main competitor Honig's has been advertising a product from a group called Team Wendy's. You are welcome to see if that padding is right for you although I know little about the product beyond what I have read.

What are your thoughts? How long do you go before you replace your padding? Does your mask padding currently need replacing?

Trainer Incorporates Fitness into Officials' Routines

2011-02-07T11:47:00.002-05:00

When you think of an umpire, you don't normally think of fit world-class athletes. But umpires (and other sports officials) are getting more attention as far as fitness goes of late. Recently, one NCAA assigning association made it a requirement that every umpire run a mile and a half in a certain amount of time based on age in order to have games assigned to them this season. Clearly the assigner was sending a message that he wanted his umpires to be in decent shape this season.

While not an entirely new concept as evidenced by MLB hiring of trainer Mark Letendre to become Director of Umpire Medical Services to look after the health and well being of umpires in 1999. Each year, MLB umpires have to pass a physical in order to be given the go to be able to calls balls and strikes and each time an injury, such as a concussion occurs, they are followed rigorously to insure they are officially fit to perform their duties.

While your league or association most certainly does not offer you an on-staff trainer, one certified personal trainer, Shane Livensparger, is setting out to change that one umpire at a time. Shane, who is also a Minor League umpire and EMT, established OfficiallyFit.net to help officials in all sports realize the importance of a regular fitness program in their routines. Shane says:

"As Sports Officials, you do not always have the luxury of spending hours at the gym. Amateur officials whom officiate as a second job have full time jobs and family commitments."

Officially Fit has programs that are available as software through their website to help sports officials "stay in the best physical shape possible without interfering and stealing too much time from the other commitments" through 3 key principles:

Improved Physical Appearance and Performance
Increased Metabolic Efficiency
Decreased Risk of Sustaining an Injury

I would encourage you to visit their website for more information and sign up for their email newsletter. Their most recent one contained a very good pregame stretching video. Or I'm sure you could contact Shane directly. I have spoken to him on the phone about his services a few times, met him while at this year's Umps Care Charities and I like what he is doing. I can certainly vouch for his passion and understanding due to unique mix of his clinical background combined with his officiating experience.

I'm all for officials looking and feeling their best and staying safe whether it's in your apparel or gear or with your health. So in that sense, Shane and I are on the same crew.

Staff Feature: Amanda Tricase, Creative Director

2011-02-07T10:39:00.000-05:00

Amanda joined Ump-Attire.com in November of 2010 as our Creative Director, and since then has taken over marketing planning, graphic design, promotions, publicity and advertising, including the development of our first print catalog. Amanda came to us after a nearly 20-year-long career in commercial printing and design, and we hope to take advantage of her creativity and experience in visual communication.

Born and raised in Louisville, Amanda earned a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Louisville. She says of her experience so far at Ump-Attire.com, “Although the learning curve has been steep, I’m excited to be part of a company where people really enjoy their work and love interacting with customers every day. As an avid sports fan, I’ve been impressed with the passion and hard work that our customers devote to umpiring and officiating and have definitely gained a new appreciation for sports officials while I’ve been here.”

When Amanda is not at Ump-Attire.com dreaming up new ways to engage our customers, she loves to read, enjoys cooking and gardening, and enjoys camping and playing outside with her husband and two kids.

Wilson Product Manager Highlights Chicago NCAA Clinic

2011-01-31T11:17:00.001-05:00

Jacquie Rooney (left) talks with Ron Arnsperger of Florence, Kentucky, while Creative Director Amanda Tricase looks on.

Jacquie Rooney, Wilson Team Gear Product Manager, spent 2 hours interacting with customers at our booth at the 2011 NCAA Umpire Clinic in Chicago. "This was a great way for me to talk directly with our end customers," said Jacquie, whose Wilson headquarters are in Chicago. She added, "Umpires are so passionate about what they do and the equipment they use, and I always take to heart their ideas on how we can improve our products to make their jobs easier and safer."

NCAA Umpires discuss titanium masks.

(Left to right) Terrance Mobley, Brent Simmons and Paul Holba stop by to check out new gear.

Amanda prepares our booth.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This time, I brought our new creative director Amanda Tricase as well. We passed out a fair share of the marketing materials and catalogs she has created. And, as always, I enjoyed talking with our customers.

Overall, it was an excellent day and another successful NCAA Clinic for us.

NCAA Clinic in Phoenix, Jan. 22, 2011

2011-01-25T12:05:00.002-05:00

Paul Hugues, Ump-Attire.com Product Manager, poses at our booth.

Morning group meeting.

Customers share a laugh while Paul writes up an order.

Bradley Hungerford (right) shares a thought about his Diamond mask with Brandon Vandermyde.

BLUE for Pink on display.

Photos from UMPS Care Golf Classic

2011-01-21T13:17:00.024-05:00

UMPS Care put on a great Golf Classic. Thanks to Samuel Dearth, executive director and all the MLB umpires in attendance for their hospitality, especially teammate and super good guy Sam Holbrook.

NCAA umpire Scott Kennedy (Louisville), MLB umpire Sam Holbrook (Lexington) and

Jim Kirk form nucleus of Kentucky-dominated team.

Scott pretends he wins the longest drive.

Sam and Scott stand in amazement at the shot I just hit.

Glenn Miller, Umps Care Board Member putts as Sam looks on.

Pete Madland (right), Wisconsin, keeps his joke per hole streak alive.

Raven Golf Club in Phoenix served as a great backdrop for a professionally done Golf scramble.

NOT WHAT YOU THINK: Lengths of Wilson Chest Protectors

2011-01-17T12:27:00.009-05:00

Wilson West Vest chest protectors have been a standard for hard shell protection since umpire Joe West elected to use football shoulder pads as a model to make a new kind of umpire chest protector.

In the last several years, both the Gold and the Platinum have undergone some changes, especially length wise (that's neck to bottom), and the information on the changes have honestly not kept up very well. This blog post is meant to correct that.

So let's all go through a little hypnosis session and erase your memory on everything you think you know about the lengths of these popular CPs. Here we go:

"You are getting very sleepy...sleepy...", etc and so forth.

Ok, good, your memories are successfully erased on the subject. I just hope there is no collateral damage in erasing your knowledge on the infield fly rule in the process.

Wilson Platinum
WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
It comes in 13.5" and 10.75" inches lengths top to bottom.

WHAT IS ACCURATE
It comes in 12" and 10.75" inches. So 12", not 13.5".

A 10.75" platinum lying on a 12"

WHY THE CHANGE
MLB umpires felt the platinum was too bulky in the neck over a year ago so Wilson took out some protection in that area. This resulted in a less lengthy protector neck to bottom. However, this change did not get noted in the catalog or relayed to retailers. It was only when a customer alerted us that his 13.5" chest protector he received promptly in his package was not 13.5" that had us scrambling to find out what was going on.

WHAT NOW
As a result, we didn't want to lead you astray and changed this on our website a while back to 12". You will find competitors listing it still at 13.5". IT IS NOT CORRECT. Do forgive them for they know not what they do.

Wilson Gold
WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
It comes in chest sizes and all lengths are 12" inches.

WHAT IS ACCURATE
It does come in chest sizes but each size has a different length. The S/M is 11", the M/L is 12" and the L/XL is 12.75".

A S/M on a M/L on a L/XL with lines added showing the bottoms.

WHY THE CHANGE
I honestly don't know, nor do I even know when the change took place (I missed it), but I like it. Almost another inch as an option is a good thing.

WHAT NOW
We have changed the info on our website to correct this.

A New Wilson and Gold Comparison
While you always knew the Gold had thicker padding than the Platinum (and it still does), the prevailing thought was that if you wanted more length, you went with the 13.5" inch platinum over the 12" Gold. Right? I knew it! I am a mind reader, too.

Now that thinking should be opposite. If you want more length, then you go with the L/XL Gold at almost 13" rather than the Larger Platinum at 12". I'll say that again.

"The Gold in the L/XL is longer than the Platinum...

Buy one today."

Ok, I'm sorry that was just a little unprofessional of me to take advantage of you like that while you are in your vulnerable hypnotic state. I do apologize.

"When I snap my fingers, you will wake up and officially be a much smarter person."

I am sorry though I can't help you find where you put your keys this morning.

Questions? Comments?

Proud Sponsor of 2011 UMPS CARE Golf Classic

2011-01-15T15:42:00.006-05:00

We are excited to be involved yet again with Major League Baseball Umpires' biggest fundraiser, the UMPS CARE Golf Classic.

This is the 6th Annual Golf Classic, the last three of which we have proudly sponsored, with proceeds to benefit UMPS CARE Charities youth programs. The event itself will take place on Thursday, January 20th at the Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

I was not able to attend the event last year due to a family illness, but I hope to keep my streak alive of being on the team with the highest score from two years prior. Here are some photos and story from a very fun, last-place Ted Barrett's team.

Other events at the Classic include a social event with participants and MLB umpires the night before, the golf scramble at 8:30 a.m., silent and live auction throughout, and post-event awards ceremony.

I also look forward to an escape from what has been a pretty cold winter in Kentucky to date and having Scott Kennedy, NCAA Division I umpire, former AAA umpire and former Wendelstedt School instructor, as a guest member of our team who will be making the trip with me from Louisville.

I'll also be able to kill two birds with one stone (or should I say golf ball?) while in Phoenix where we will have a booth set up at the NCAA umpire clinic going on the weekend following the Golf Classic.

ABOUT UMPS CARE
Founded by MLB Umpires, UMPS Care helps children who are either awaiting adoption, in mentoring programs, coping with serious illness or in a lengthy hospital stay. For more information, visit www.umpscare.com.

Catalogs, Finally!

2011-01-14T18:20:00.004-05:00

One of the FAQs around here for the last almost 5 years we have been in business is "Do you have a catalog?"

"Everything is online" would be our standard reply.

So the thought has been we would save on paper and not spend a gazillion dollars on shipping catalogs to each of you. But we have had a change of heart, especially now that we have a full-time creative director who can put one together in the amount of time it takes to call a doubleheader.

But in our sometimes quirky way of doing things, we decided to go baseball/softball only, go ultra-light on the descriptions and showcase certain products, not every single brush, indicator and piece of protective gear.

The condensed catalog dedicates its 20 pages to many of our customer choice, made in the US, exclusive and new items - you know, the important stuff - and not the same ol' same ol' you see year after year. Besides, if you want to to see every single item or want to read more, then you can go online.

Therefore, our rehearsed phrase still rings true. "EVERYTHING IS online".

In print production at the moment and ready mid next-week, you can get a sneak peek by viewing the PDF at www.ump-attire.com/catalog or if you want a quantity to share at your association meeting, please message sherry@ump-attire.com with your address and quantity desired.

And let us know what you think.

Just Arrived Special Order Items from Wilson Include Exclusives

2011-01-13T17:03:00.004-05:00

I'm really excited about our Wilson umpire gear selection this year. We have worked hard on our relationship with those at Wilson who work on the umpire side of team gear. As a result, we were able to broker some exclusive and much requested items as well as some new special order ones you might find elsewhere but certainly not everywhere.

Here is the rundown of the exclusives:

Titanium Umpire Mask with Natural Tan Leather
Could this be the coolest, temperature wise, of any umpire mask? You'll find little black on this mask outside that on the harness. This mask comes in the preferred standard profile frame, has the MLB logo and has full natural grain leather on the inside for comfort and all that along with PU leather on the outside (which is a thin layer of leather of polyurethane that gives the outside a finished look standard on most Wilson masks).

This is a limited supply item and a good number of them are already out the door. I don't expect these to last through the entire season, and we are not planning on getting any more in until 2012 so if you want one, you'll want to order early.

Charcoal Umpire Shin Guards in 15.5 and 18.5 Inches Sizes
This customer preferred shin guard is going to be preferred even more because now it will fit more umpires than just the majority in the middle of the bell curve. Now taller umpires can get a Wilson shin guard without having to order the triple-knee black ones and others can now find a 15.5" Wilson shin guard of any kind without having to order another brand.

So, I hope you guys who this item now fits really benefit from and enjoy what has always been my favorite shin guards: easy to clean, comfortable and highly protective.

More special order items that are new here:

Non-Wrap Around (Traditional) Replacement Padding: Tan | Black
We went ahead and grabbed a limited quantity in each color. Finally, you guys, you know who you are, can quit telling me that you wished you could get the older Wilson padding and just buy a set already. And yes, these should fit about any mask frame from any brand. Enjoy.

And special order items we've had before:

Titanium Umpire Mask with All-Black Padding
A sellout last year with its sharp silver on black look with a standard profile is now available again with new stock.

Wilson Doeskin Umpire Mask
These continue to be fairly popular so we keep buying them. We recently changed the SKU from A3019-TAN to A3009X-DS not to confuse you but to better match actual color and Wilson's style number.

Wilson MLB Replacement Harness

Future Developments with Wilson
We have already discussed on our Facebook fan page a prototype extension for Wilson hard shell chest protectors. It is still in the works as are a few other things you'll just have to stay tuned to learn about.

What product protective gear suggestions do you have? Is their a feature on any new Wilson item that can be improved or changed? I'd be happy to share your thoughts with them.

New Functionality for an Enhanced Shopping Experience

2011-01-11T11:38:00.002-05:00

Besides some cosmetic updates such as a new Customer Choice icon and adding a "Made in US" icon where applicable, we have been busy adding a few more features to make shopping at ump-attire.com an even better experience.

Site Reviews
Now you can rate products from 1 to 5 stars and submit reviews via a link that leads to a quick form fill-in. The best responses are honest - positive or negative, specific without being too short or too long and helpful. For instance, what would you have wanted to know before your purchase? We do review the reviews for appropriateness, which are normally posted within 2 business days.

Suggested Products
Our website is now able to calculate, behind the scenes, sales totals of products other shoppers buy most when buying the product you are considering so you can consider related items.

Share with Others
Like a product? Now you can easily share with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and many other sites. Or you can print and add to your favorites after clicking the "+" sign as well. This is a multi-faceted tool that allows you to do much more with products that might be on your wish list or think it should be on others' than simply adding it to your cart.

Critics Agree: Booth at Nashville NCAA Clinic a Hit

2011-01-11T09:48:00.008-05:00

The spread included new vertical banner and table banner

I don't know if it was the premiere of a new display, Anessa's clinic debut, an excellent casting of new products, the fact that I went sportcoat instead of polo or a combination of all 4, but the Nashville NCAA umpire clinic this past weekend was a blockbuster success.

Umpire Scott Kennedy, raved

"The guys all agreed that your display banners and overall set-up was OUTSTANDING! You guys did a GREAT job!!

Umpire Nathan Huber gave us

5 out of 5 stars!

Scott, Nathan and around 523 more NCAA umpires from the southeast (mostly) attended the one day event at the Airport Marriott, and it felt as if most of the 525 stopped by our booth. This year we decided to double up on staff but at times thought we could have used one more. Anessa and I saw more people, shot more photos and took more orders (although that's not our main goal) than we ever have.

Pink Showcase

Which products were umpires in attendance most interested in? Well, the pink shirt for one - as people are really digging the Umpires Against Breast Cancer campaign, Majestic Thermabase jackets - those received the most "oooh"s and "ahhh"s, Wilson titanium masks, the All-Star MVP4000 helmet and the Robic stopwatch - which was basically endorsed by the NCAA during the meeting to use in their new speedup rule.

Take a look at some of our photos from the event and see some of the happy customers who stopped by. I'm sure our competitors who were there see us as a little odd at times. Bringing new products instead of all products? Snapping photos? Seemingly spending more time cutting up with customers than making sales? Having a girl helping to man the booth? Odd or not, thanks for everyone who stopped by and helped make the clinic a good and enjoyable experience for us.

John Bennett, myself, Nathan Huber and Brian Kennedy

Clarence and Cedric Coleman and Nathan Huber

I talk to College World Series Umpire AJ Lostaglio about the All-Star System 7 Series Helmet

With Ken Fitts, NCAA Umpire from Atlanta

Anessa, Customer Service Manager

NCAA CLINIC UPDATE: Meet Anessa in Nashville

2011-01-03T10:48:00.009-05:00

Anessa Arehart, customer service manager

I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing me so I thought I'd bring along some fresh faces this year to 3 of the upcoming NCAA Umpire Clinics in Nashville, Phoenix and Chicago. We will not be attending Philly.

Others will be joining me at other clinics, but I expect Anessa Arehart our customer service manager who has been called the customer service goddess by more than one customer, to be a little bit of an extra draw given the high chance you have communicated with her in some way. So, if you are attending, stop by our booth and say "hello" to her. Don't forget to say "hello" to me as well.

This year, besides the additional presence, you'll see a fresher look to our booth that will feature our show-and-tell road show of new products as well as some mainstays.

Note that, we do not bring multiples of items to sell directly like others often do, but if there is something in particular you want us to bring, like a size 10 MF995LBK-4E, let us know.

Here is our complete 2011 clinic attendance schedule.

January 8th – Nashville
Nashville Airport Marriott
600 Marriott Drive
Joined by Anessa Arehart, Customer Service Manager
January 22th – Phoenix
Sheraton Crescent Hotel
2620 West Dunlap Avenue
Joined by Paul Hugues, Buyer/Product Manager in-training
January 29rd – Chicago
Hyatt Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk
151 East Wacker Drive
Joined by Amanda Tricase, Creative Director

Have a Safe and Happy New Year

2010-12-31T12:19:00.001-05:00

The above "bad call" photo - that our new creative director, Amanda Tricase, decided would look good on a holiday greeting card (and it does) - is a sneak peek at an upcoming marketing campaign you'll find only in your packaged umpire order (starting soon) that takes a humorous look on what not to wear and how not to wear it.

You'll find something different in your box each month, during the first half of 2011. For now, you can think beer ad, but for officials' sporting goods and without the beer.

But even though we are clowning around a bit, we are serious about hoping you have a safe and very Happy New Year!

More about the guy in the photo later.

Price Reductions for Baseball/Softball Items

2010-12-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

Nothing fancy, we just looked around recently and decided that we wanted to be a little lower on some umpire gear and apparel including:

New Balance Plate and Midcut Base Shoes
Majestic Umpire Apparel
Smitty Umpire Jackets
Mask Sun Shields
Thorlo Steel Toe/Plate Shoe Socks
Plastic Plate Brushes
Oversized Ball/Strike Indicators

Is there an item you feel is not a good value at the price we have set? If so, send me a pm on Facebook or an email to jim@ump-attire.com.

Enforcing the New NCAA Speed Up Rule Requires Proper Timing

2010-12-23T13:48:00.005-05:00

Used to hearing "Play Ball!" before baseball games? Now at the D1 NCAA level, you might start growing more accustomed to hearing "Hurry Up!".

In an effort to speed play, the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee has approved a 20-second limit between pitches with no runners on and a 90-second limit between innings for non-TV games (108 seconds for televised).

Implemented in tournament play last year, and now required for the 2011 regular season:

Pitchers who go over this time limit with no runners on base risk having a ball added to the count after a warning for a first offense,
Hitters who step out within 5 seconds of the clock expiring risk a strike after a warning for a first offense and;
The offending team of the between-innings limit risk having a ball or strike added as well.

More info about the new rules can be found here.

Where in-field or on-stadium pitch clocks are not available, what's the lucky base umpire to do who has this responsibility? When 1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi, etc won't do, would you consider one of these items?

Champion Jumbo Timer
Clips to belt or can be worn around wrist
Countup or Countdown
Audible beep confirmation
$24.99

Robic Stopwatch
Hand-held
Countup or countdown
Can be used silently or with audible beep confirmation
Will reset to any preset time at completion
$14.99

What do you think of this new rule?

January 2011 Referee Magazine Ad

2010-12-22T15:39:00.000-05:00

Just a sneak peek or a look of our full page ad for those who don't receive Referee Magazine. If you don't, you should consider - a really nice publication. Click for full size ad (PDF).

Amish Workers Tour Our Operations

2010-12-17T22:00:00.010-05:00

You may have heard of high-quality furniture handcrafted by Amish people in well-known Amish communities such as Ohio and Pennsylvania. But one thing Amish are slowly becoming known for in the officials' community is that they also make high-quality referee and umpire apparel.

In Munfordville, Kentucky, about 45 minutes south of Louisville is a small Amish factory of about 15 seamstresses who make Ump-Attire umpire shirts, referee shirts, ball bags and referee accessories. If you are reading this, you may have one of these items in your closet or bag.

Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting (most of) these very dedicated and skilled workers on a tour and an appreciation lunch.

Jeanne Nelson, operations manager, explains how our customer service center operates before turning it over to Anessa Arehart, customer service manager, for more details about our customers.

I introduce the Amish to the new warehouse space.

I (at far right) share our picking and packing process while Jeanne (middle background) shows off the destination of states and countries of that day's packages. I think the order to Japan surprised them.

I explain what we do with the products they make once they arrive including our bar coding process before a show-and-tell with other products and how they are used. Beulah Hester (far left), who works closely with them and helped orchestrate the tour, looks on.

After lunch (which our new space really gave us the room for), the Amish presented each of us with a homemade baked goods basket. The apple butter is to die for BTW. Any other apple butter fans out there? Perhaps, the best I've ever had...made in a large iron kettle bottom. Yummy!

But all in all, the day the Amish came to visit was a very nice day for them and for staff. It's certainly not something you can say happens every day.

Although I have been to their location more than once, staff have not. The plan is to shut down one day this summer and take the staff for a tour of their facility. Looking forward to it. We'll share more about their low carbon footprint facility at that time. Regardless, we are very fortunate to have a reliable source of quality American made goods right here in Kentucky.

Note: Some of you are familiar with the Amish might wonder if they drove their buggies here. They did not. A large van was rented for them to make the trek.

NCAA Umpire Shows Best Moves in Recent Shoot

2010-12-16T08:29:00.009-05:00

Ever see a movie, TV commercial or magazine ad with an umpire in it that neither has the look nor the mechanics down just right? If you are a seasoned umpire it is obvious to you, where maybe it's not so much to the casual observer.

When it came time for us to work on an upcoming promotional campaign, we needed a few umpires who looked the part for a photo shoot. One of those umpires was John Bennett, former AAA minor league and current Division I NCAA umpire. Here's a look at some of his moves.

We pulled the shoot off with the help of a local high school catcher with new Wilson gear (thanks Jacquie), Ray, our ultra-dependable photographer and Amanda Tricase, our new creative director, in her directorial debut.

For more pics from the shoot visit the album on our Facebook fan page.

Note to Hollywood movie producers and ad agency execs: Stop it with the non-professionals already. Any number of pros are available for the cost of a game fee or two, including John, for your upcoming film, TV show, commercial and/or print ad. A 10% agent commission will apply.

Protective Gear Return Rates Improve Yet Again

2010-12-13T17:04:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again. Christmas? Yes, Christmas, but that's not what I'm referring to. It's also time for me to review sales reports and see which protective gear items are returned the most.

Why is this important? Well, if the return rate is low, you'll have more confidence in purchasing a certain item as it shows your umpire brethren collectively tend to be happier with a certain item (or size) than one that is returned more. If an item or a size on item has a higher return rate, we'll either discontinue that product or educate more about it or about any sizing issues. The latter usually works pretty well without going to such drastic measures.

So what did we learn in 2010? The main thing is that return rates continue to get better. In 2009, a pretty solid 1 return per 33 of protective gear items were returned. This year's that number decreased to only 1 in 40 (and decrease is good if your talking about return rates, bad if you're talking about 401Ks or Derek Jeter's batting average).

Here are more highlights:

Umpire chest protectors return rates were back down to 2.4% after jumping from 3% in 2008 to 3.4% in 2009. I do know I beat everyone over the head about the 10.75" platinum as it had a whopping 20% return rate in '08 then 7.5% in '09. The educational way is working as that item and size dropped to a rate of 2.99%. You guys listen to us...that makes you, well, good listeners.
Umpire masks return rates pretty much stayed the same at around 1.9%. I did notice increasing return rates (and lower sales) for masks that were low profile or heavier in weight as the trend in traditional masks continues to be standard profile AND lightweight.
Umpire shin guards return rates dropped from 4.7% to 4.1%. As you can see, shin guards continue to be he hardest thing to feel comfortable about as they have the highest return rates among protective gear. But it has dropped to 1 in 25 so that is not too shabby.
Small Sizes
For the first time since I have been reviewing this data, return rates on smaller sizes are overall more respectable although sales of smaller sizes are down. Are smaller umpires leaving the business? I don't think so. Umpires are learning that sizing up is always better when in doubt.

Returns stink for you and for us as neither one of us gain any value from it, so thanks for paying attention.

So which items have the lowest return rates per category for 2010?

Masks: Diamond Featherweight with Silver Frame
Less than 1% for the second year in a row
Chest Protectors: Diamond iX3
1.4%, lowest for second year in a row despite what staged pic above might infer
Shin Guards: Wilson A3409 Pro Leg Guards and Diamond Featherweight Low Profile were virtually tied at 3.4% and 3.5% respectively.

The product pages have been updated with these numbers so you can continue to count on us for the inside scoop you need to make the best choices you can without having the benefit of trying things on in person.

Feel free to provide any feedback on this subject.

Note: When items are returned directly to the manufacturer, the above numbers do not include those numbers.

Look for "Made in USA" Icon and American Made Products

2010-12-10T16:39:00.008-05:00

Ump-Attire.com has available more American made items than any other officials' sporting goods retailer. Now you can easily find these items with the "Made in USA" icon on each product page.

We take great pride in buying and reselling goods from US manufacturers where and when we can and in helping employ workers in some of the following states:

FLORIDA - Long toss penalty flags and hand held bean bags
ILLINOIS - Referee and umpire belts
KENTUCKY - Ump-Attire Ultimate Shirts and Ball Bag, kids shirts, and referee flags and bags
NORTH CAROLINA - Diamond shorts and shirts and Thorlo socks
OHIO - Fechheimer umpire pants
TENNESSEE - Dalco umpire shirts, referee socks and wristbands

View All Made in the USA products.

Find out more about Ump-Attire.com's initiatives and community involvement.

BLUE for Pink Launches Facebook Fan Page

2010-12-07T20:06:00.005-05:00

BLUE for Pink, Ump-Attire.com's education and fundraising campaign for breast cancer awareness and Komen for the Cure now has a Facebook fan page.

If you are an "Umpire Against Breast Cancer" you can do any of the following there:

Receive updates about our campaign
Post pics of you in your pink
Receive additional information on breast cancer awareness
Find a press release you can share with your crew or association
Tell us what you did as an umpire against breast cancer (e.g. shared with your crew, association, started an event, invited friends to become fans etc.)

If you are on Facebook, why not invite your friends to become fans of the BLUE for Pink page today?

Officials' Shoes: When True to Size Isn't Always True

2010-12-07T18:21:00.006-05:00

If you have a big ol' foot like me, you'll know for sure that some shoe brands fit you better than others. I'm a solid 11 1/2 American size length-wise but slightly larger than D width (between a D and an E) so that makes things a little more trying for me when trying on shoes.

If I'm looking for new kicks, I skip over the Asics completely as I can barely get my instep in the shoe to even start. A narrow toe dress shoe? Forget about it! I look like one of the wicked stepsisters trying to get my foot into the glass slipper.

OFFICIALS' SHOES
So what about referee and umpire shoes? Fortunately, for most non-plate shoes, so that's turf and court, we're in pretty good shape. Reebok, New Balance, 3n2 and Official Footwear are all good for the most part. (at least for guys - had to put that in there or would get grief from the ladies who truly have fewer options)

PLATE SHOES
Where it's a little dicey is with plate shoes. Why? By nature, plate shoes are hard. And hard is the opposite of inflexible. So if you have a foot like mine, a hard shoe is not going to give my big ol' foot the flexibility it needs to stretch out a little. For me, I'd be sizing up a 1/2 size or a 2E width if I could.

CONSIDER SIZING UP 1/2 SIZE ON PLATES OR WHEN IN DOUBT
Combine this info with the fact that you typically will be buying online, we always suggest that as a rule you consider sizing up a 1/2 size for plate shoes. It's sort of like a belt. If you are a size 34 waist, you get a size 36 belt. You don't rant and rave about it. It is a little odd, yes, but that's just the way it is. Besides, if you are a 34 waist you really have nothing to complain about, right?

So can you get by with your size in plate shoes? Certainly. You know your foot better than I do so we'll let you choose. We'll keep making that suggestion though for you to think about it. If you normally have no problem fitting into any shoe in your size, you'll probably be ok. If you know some shoes just don't fit right in your size, sizing up a 1/2 size on the plates as it's a good safe bet. And regardless of whether it's shoes or shirts or pants, "size up when in doubt" is our motto.

On the plate shoes scale, New Balance is narrowest and Reebok is about right and 3n2s normally aren't an issue. So balance the shoe your considering with knowledge about your feet when making this decision.

NEW BALANCE TURF SHOES NARROWER
The only exception on turf shoes is that the New Balance MF995s do run more narrow than other turf shoes. I could chalk it up to the synthetic upper, which gives less than leather, but we have other shoes with synthetic uppers that are roomier (e.g. 3n2 turfs and Official Footwear patent leathers).

RECOMMENDATIONS
Ok I'm not sure if I've given any good information yet, so I'll try harder. When you get your shoes, we recommend the following:

Try them on at the end of the day when your feet are largest. Your feet swell after you've been on them, and there's a good chance you're game is later in the day or at night so this is probably most often overlooked.
Try them on both feet as it's been said that some have one foot bigger than the other. I don't know the research on this, but if you are a person with this condition, then I suppose you'll know it and try-on accordingly. For those of you who don't know who the "Big Foot" is down there, then simply trying on both will cover your bases.
Do so with socks you will wear with the shoes as sock thickness can make a big difference. Ok, I know you know that but had to say it anyway.
And lastly, check the following:
-Do you have the necessary small amount of space between the "toe" of the shoe and your big toe?
-Does your foot stay in and not slip at the heel with shoes tied?
-Does the ball of your foot fit comfortably at the shoe's widest spot?
-And optional for umpires: Do these shoes look sexy with my shin guards?

Shoes too big? If your shoes are too small or slip out of your shoes, besides trying another size or style, consider an extra pair socks and/or heel cups first.

Shoes too small? If you can't get all of your assigned games scheduled for the morning when your feet are smaller, you'll want a new size or style.

In the meantime, we'll be adding at ump-attire.com sizing information on whether a shoe is true to size (or other) on each of our shoe's respective product pages as we continue to make your shopping experience a more satisfying one. Find it just under their product description within a day or two of this post.

Note for Women: We continue to encourage manufacturers to make smaller sizes. We sincerely apologize that we have fewer options for many of you.

Special Thanks: To our Facebook fans who provided insights on this post. Become a fan at facebook.com/umpattirecom

Pre-Sewn USA Flag Patch on a Made in USA Shirt

2010-11-30T12:45:00.005-05:00

Sometimes the best solution is one that satisfies two needs.

One need is for sports officials in the United States to sometimes be required to have a USA flag patch placed on their referee or umpire shirt where we do not have those customization features in-house. Typically you order, we ship. There is no customization to slow anything down. We have been searching for some ways to get around this lack of customization in our own way.

One way is related to USA flag patches on shirts. On a trial run, we are pre-sewing on Ump-Attire Ultimate V-neck Referee Shirts for basketball and keeping them as an in-stock item and not made-to-order. In that way, you order, we ship. There is no customization to slow your order down. Did I just say that already?

Anyway, if this goes well, we'll do this on some other items. So if you like this idea of pre-sewn patches on shirts, support it with your purchase.

The neat thing is that we are planning on doing this only on items that are "Made in the USA". Makes sense right. You are a patriotic individual and wear your USA flag with pride. You want the shirt to be made here although most manufacturers of referee apparel are moving to overseas sources. Go ahead, look in your closet. What does the tag say where your shirt or pants were made?

For us, we make a point of using US manufacturers where we can. Not only does it provide faster turnaround, which means we are most likely to have it in stock longer, it also provides us with a sense of pride in helping to employ people who need work, especially in a state, Kentucky, with one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country.

Anyway, if this goes well, we'll do this on some other items. So if you like this idea of having your USA flag patch on your "Made in the USA" shirt, support it with your purchase. There I go again being redundant. Perhaps, some things are best said more than once. In that spirit, please share this article with others who might be interested.

Our Move: Before and After Photos (and Thoughts)

2010-11-30T10:34:00.012-05:00

We are excited about the positives our space will bring to you including the ability to carry more products.

We are also excited that we are more accessible and easier to find being a stone's throw or two from two Interstates and in closer proximity to more umpires and officials in the Kentuckiana area (and beyond, customers have stopped by from as far as Florida and Canada).

I'm perhaps most excited my crew held off on their mutiny conspiracy. Our growing staff and inventory, truly left us feeling like sardines at times in our old 3,750 square foot space, and they have been asking me to consider a move for about a year and a half now.

Here are some before and after pics:

Before from outside

After from outside

Before inside warehouse

After warehouse 1

After warehouse 2

From Red to Orange (A)

More Best Equipment Awards for Second Year

2010-11-15T10:13:00.008-05:00

The Midwest Umpire Blog, an umpire equipment blog and reviews site has just handed out its best umpire products of the year for the second year in a row.

Out of 9 categories, we had within our selection 7 products, 5 more than any main competitor.

This is an increase from last year where we had 6 winners and the most of any main competitor was 3. I'd like to think this is a reflection of our continuing desire to have the highest quality, most innovative selection around.

2010 Winners in our selection include:

Best Traditional Mask
Diamond Silver Featherweight Umpire Mask
And we are the only one to have it it with a cleaner logo in the middle of the padding.
Best Helmet
All-Star System 7 MVP4000-SL Umpire Helmet
A new addition at only 3 ounces heavier than the much more expensive version with titanium frame.
Best Chest Protector
Wilson West Vest Gold Umpire Chest Protector
Best Leg Guards
Champro Pro-Plus Low Profile Umpire Leg Guards
A new addition is the lowest profile of any triple knee shin guards.
Best Accessory
Diamond Ultimate Umpire Equipment Gear Bag
Best Shirt
Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirt
Winner for the second year in a row, the only item to do that.
Best Shoes
Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoes

Read the full post of 2010 UMPY winners here.

Details on November 24th Move

2010-11-09T10:08:00.007-05:00

Have you have ever needed to do something but put it off until you just absolutely couldn't hold off any longer? Well, that's been the story with our increasingly smaller office and warehouse space that we have had for 4 and 1/2 years. Well, it seems like it has been shrinking over the years.

When we moved in in 2006, we had 1 person for each of our 2 offices and had more open warehouse space, it seemed, than space for stock. Now those 2 offices contain 5 executive and customer service staff. We are all pretty close here, but not sure if we want to get any closer than that.

With each time the warehouse started busting at the seams, we have managed to successfully re-arrange things, moved up with more shelving and made the most out of every little nook and cranny we could find...even moved in additional, temporary storage.

But now in order to maintain our growth, there are no more tricks up our sleeves in the warehouse and no more room to add those two additional marketing and/or customer service staff I've been wanting.

So it's official: We are moving! Here are some FAQs regarding our move?

When are you moving?
Our move date is Wednesday, November 24th the day before Thanksgiving.

Will you be down during your move?
Our website will remain up and active but we will not process orders, take phone calls, respond to e-mails or receive walk-in customers on the day of the move. Consider it that we're taking one additional day off this year for Thanksgiving.

Do you expect any more down time?
No, we considered making it a no down time move (e.g. still take calls and/or send out orders in the morning only), but I thought we should build in a day (and a day only) to make our move as easy as possible on staff. We will take our normal 2 days for Thanksgiving and then be fully operational the following Monday, the 29th.

Where are you moving to?
Well, we are still technically going to be a Louisville company and no, we are not moving to the West Coast as some of you have requested. But thanks for the offer. We are moving less than 7 miles closer to Louisville from where we are just outside Louisville. The address is 3600 Chamberlain Lane, Ste 108-110. Here is a pic of the front of the building:

How do I get there?
Well, the best thing besides having double the office and inventory space is its ease of getting to. It's basically right off of the Gene Snyder Parkway (just down from I-71). Take the Westport Rd/Chamberlain Exit and take a right onto Chamberlain then a right into the Jefferson Trade Center. Take the second right into the parking lot. Look for Ste 108-110 (on the door). A sign is on order and hopefully will be available soon. See a good overhead shot thanks to Google. I think the local guys are going to love this location.

Are there any changes planned for your new space?
Basically no. The website is not changing. Our phone numbers will remain the same. And we will have the same staff and same great service. The only noticeable difference will be a larger dressing room and more room to breath for you local guys.

Any more questions, please let me know.

Referee Magazine Ad for December 2010 Issue

2010-10-30T10:59:00.004-05:00

This year we are getting a head start on our baseball/softball advertising with this ad in December's Referee Magazine expected out in a few weeks. Feel free to click on the image below for a full size view.

This marks the first ad for Ref Mag not designed by yours truly. Cassie Stokes, marketing specialist, is currently managing those duties for us.

BLUE for Pink - Umpires Against Breast Cancer Campaign

2010-10-29T12:33:00.015-05:00

Fewer than one in five eligible women get the lifesaving breast cancer screening and treatment they need although with mammography, it can be found early when the chances of surviving it are high.

After receiving our first shipment of pink umpire shirts last week and getting our ducks in a row with a campaign logo and with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, we have officially launched our "BLUE for Pink - Umpires Against Breast Cancer" education and fundraising campaign.

As part of this campaign, we, along with Dalco Athletic, will donate $3 for every pink referee shirt you purchase to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Our goal from the sale of these shirts and our pink umpire whistles are that we will raise $5,000 from now through 2011.
View all pink products here.

Thanks to our Facebook fans for helping in designing our logo and for coming up with our shirt's trim patterns (especially Brandon Barelmann). That process was a lot of fun.

Thanks, of course, to Dalco as well, who manufactured the shirt, and Mike Carter of Dalco who was very agreeable to the design as well as the charity initiative.

Show your support as an Umpire Against Breast Cancer, Komen for the Cure and breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs of which 75% will go to local and 25% to national efforts. Help us spread the word with your officiating or umpiring crew or association. There is a printable and/or sendable press release here.

A special word to female umpires: help reduce your risk of having breast cancer with regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink. If you over 40, be sure to get a yearly mammogram.

All umpires, encourage all the important women 40 and over in your life to get yearly mammograms.

Thoughts on Pink Whistle Controversy in Washington

2010-10-26T10:07:00.010-05:00

After officials in Washington state showed their support for the Susan G. Komen For the Cure by donning pink whistles in support of local breast cancer awareness initiatives, the Washington Officials Association (WOA and the ones who assign the games) has thrown the flag against these officials saying they used a non-sanctioned color without their permission. Story and video here.

In light of our breast cancer awareness initiatives for Komen, Warren Workman of Umpire-Empire.com sent the link to me and wanted me to comment. I commented on his site and am paraphrasing and adding a few comments below.

First of all, I applaud the referees for not only wearing the pink whistles in support of the breast cancer campaigns going on through the region that night but for also donating their game fees. To me, that was a bigger sacrifice.

All too often, referees and umpires get a reputation as "the bad guy", as it is, especially when fans see they "made a bad call" and are against their team when we all know that most of you guys are just good people who are trying to do their jobs as professionally as possible.

So when umpires and referees do something overtly positive and provide an opportunity to share the goodwill they have not only for the good of the game but for the good of those involved (players, coaches, parents. loved ones who passed away, etc) and even the greater good (breast cancer research and awareness), then this should serve as a grand opportunity to help shed some of that "bad guy" reputation by saying "Way to Go!" and perhaps making someone pause to think, "Hey, that was really nice of them...maybe they're not so bad after all".

Instead, the WOA took away this perfect opportunity to look upon them and the profession favorably to basically say the officials had simply "made a bad call" in not asking for permission or for staying uniform. This is certainly understandable of a desire to stay uniform as you don't want your officials to wear their street clothes but also very unfortunate and short-sighted. It certainly speaks of a hierarchy within the profession that often serves the profession well but at times not so well.

It seems, however, as if the WOA is seeing the error of their ways in their over-reaction to this scenario. Sure, maybe the officials should have asked first and maybe the WOA would have said, "Yea, that would be great! Go for it!" I'm sure both parties will know better next time to follow protocol on the onehand, and common sense on the other.

This, however, serves as a lesson to you as officials or leaders in your association when considering a breast cancer awareness campaign involving pink whistles, shirts or wristbands. Ask your association first to clarify and support what you are doing or want to do. Association leaders, set clear guidelines that allow bending of the rules a little for a good and worthy cause.

In that way, everyone can get on the same page to doing the right thing in being a part of something good to fight something bad.

Not Quite the Oscars. Product of the Year Suggestions for the Midwest Umpire Blog

2010-10-20T12:39:00.014-05:00

Last year, the Midwest Umpire Blog published it's first ever umpire products of the year awards. We were very fortunate to have had more products in our selection to win awards than any other retailer. It was not quite a Lord of the Rings style Academy Awards sweep as in 2003 when it won in all 11 categories for which it was nominated, but 6 out of 9 ain't bad.

For a refresher our 2009 winners were:

Best Mask: Champro Magnessium Umpire Mask
Best Helmet: Wilson Shock FX Titanium
Best Shirt: Ultimate Umpire Shirt
Best Accessory: Ultimate Umpire Ball Bag
Best Shoes: Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoes
Best Chest Protector: Wilson Platinum

This year, the Midwest Blog is soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding 2010 selections from the umpire community. Support us by suggesting products you find at ump-attire.com (or elsewhere...we don't have to win every category).

Post your answers here or by email to feedback@ump-attire.com, and we will pass them along. Or you can post at Umpire-Empire.com.

The categories are what you see below plus shoes, pants, shin guards and training aid. Personally, I'd love to see these products walk the red carpet and win for 2010. Allow me to make my case. The nominees are.

Best Hockey Style Helmet
The new very protective All-Star System 7 MVP4000-SL umpire helmet we now have with its vinyl nitrile padding and polycarbonate shell (steel cage is only 3 ounces less than much more expensive titanium).

It's all the buzz with customers who have highly encouraged us to carry them. How could we resist?

The Shock FX is deserving as well, but, hey, it would be nice for us, as an outspoken leader in offering the best umpire protection, to say we have in our selection back-to-back winners in this category.

If anything else wins than either of those, it will be as much a surprise as Mickey O'Rourke not winning for best actor for his role in The Wrestler. Sean Penn in Milk?! What a rip-off that was! Sorry Sean, but you were great in Mystic River.
Best Umpire Mask
Our special order Wilson Titanium with all-black padding.

See, when Wilson came out with the titanium mask, they originally made it in two-tone only and in a low profile. I have spoken before that the best choice was a standard profile with all-black padding for a more protective mask with a sleeker black/silver look.

We were one of only a few of the major retailers to make this a reality in 2010, and it was our most popular titanium gaining a People's Choice Award in my book. So the winner ought to be the mask you wanted in the first place, right? Who is with me?
Best Umpire Chest Protector
The Wilson Gold. If the platinum won it last year, then the Gold ought to get its due before more hard shells come on the market in years to come once Joe West's patent runs out or manufacturers figure out a workaround.

It's like Martin Scorsese who made all those great films over 20 years and was nominated 5 times for Best Picture until finally winning for The Departed in 2006. Ok, maybe it's not quite like that but I'm trying to keep the Academy Award analogy going here. Work with me please.
Best Umpire Shirt
Well, it would be nice for our Ultimate to win 2 years in a row. But if it doesn't, I have two other possibilities. One is the new Majestic umpire shirt or our designed pink umpire shirt from Dalco.

Yes, I know both were just made available but movies that came out just before the Academy Awards ceremony win Oscars, too.

The Majestic shirt is such an innovation in fabric and trim and well received at the MLB level. Plus, they've been popular the second we started pre-selling them.

But the most popular umpire shirt going right now is our newly designed pink shirt for breast cancer awareness. With its trim pattern being designed by an umpire with a poll taken at Umpire-Empire.com and our Facebook fan page plus a donation of $3 to Komen for the Cure, this shirt is a real winner even if it doesn't win Best Umpire Shirt of the Year honors.
Umpire Accessory
There is a good chance the Ultimate Ball Bag will win again. From new products, it could be the Shock Doctor Titan Cup. If I told you how many of those we sold last year, you would be shocked.

But the one I would love to see win is the Shock Doctor Gravity 2 Mouthguard. Although it's not a top selling accessory, it has been critically acclaimed so to speak.
Derrick Dion commented that after a direct hit "I was not phased continuing like nothing happened."

Louis Santoni "found the mouth guard to be comfortable...and noticed it had a very minimum effect on my ability to talk and make calls"

Stephen O' Neal raves the Shock Doctor mouthguard "does not cause me to generate excess spit in my mouth" (among other good things but thought that line sounded funny pulled completely out of context...thanks Stephen).
Most others are saying with a little getting used to it really has saved them from some potential concussions. No true accessory out there beyond a throat guard can say that it can keep an umpire safer (and in such an important part of the body) than this mouthguard accessory can.

Call it the sentimental choice, like Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress for The Blind Side. Plus, the extra attention it receives might go farther in making a difference in the safety of umpires.

Tell us your picks.

New Customers' Choice Products for Football

2010-10-12T07:37:00.005-05:00

We have truly hit a home run with our many new products over the last several years for football as many of them are not only being well-received with customers but have quickly become best sellers in their categories. For that, we are adding 5 items with our customers' choice list for football.

The criteria is basically high sales within a category, low return rates and positive feedback.

Smitty NFL Style Foul Weathe r Black Football Pants
We knew these were going to be hot, but now, with feedback, we know they are also very well-liked.

Todd Skaggs shared "The pants fit well and felt even better...they provide a nice, clean look and are a great addition to our current uniform. The cut and fit provide room for athletic movement...the water resistant material is beneficial during cold rainy environments and the black color might save a few pairs of knickers from being retired as “mudders” due to irremovable stains that we all know and love."
Short Sleeve Dri-Gear Referee Shirt
With being able to drop the price of this high-quality wicking shirt, we believe this is definitely the best value in a football referee shirt on the market. Our leading competitor's price on a performance fabric shirt is currently $8 more.
3N2 Officials Field Shoes
You would think with New Balance, Reebok and 3n2 as our field shoe brands, the 3n2 would be the lowest seller. Not the case as it is right there with New Balance.

Clint Latimer summed it up simply when he wrote "The shoe is a very good product. They are comfortable to wear for hours on both natural and plastic turf fields. The pricing is reasonable...The shoe is easy to keep clean..."
All-Weather Write-in-the-Rain Information Cards
The pack of 25 waterproof cards have been very popular.

Michael Koone said "The card is the best! I sweat a lot during the early hot games of the season and I do not use a card holder. However, just as promised, this card has held up great and has not turned to mush. I've been able to write on it with a pencil no matter how wet it gets! The information layout on front is excellent and I especially like the alphabetical foul listing on back with spaces for each quarter. I haven't been able to locate a card with this feature for years! I will be reordering another pad of these cards."
Smitty ComfortTech Shorts
When you can take your old shorts, change the fabric to a more comfortable, breathable wicking fabric at the same price, then you make it a no-brainer for customers.

View all Customers' Choice products for football here and buy with confidence.

New Kid's Long Sleeve Referee Shirt

2010-10-11T09:32:00.003-05:00

We continue to have fun with kid's referee apparel. This year we have added a long sleeve version of our popular kid's football shirt. Kids gotta stay warm while trick-or-treating, right?

In the photo, that is my son Ben, now 8 (wearing a size medium) and daughter Lydia, age 11 (wearing a size large).

View all of our kids referee apparel products including other shirts, cap and socks.

Pink Whistle Campaign a Success with $2,000 Donation

2010-10-11T08:41:00.006-05:00

We did it! We set out to raise $2,000 before year's end in our "Blow the Whistle on Breast Cancer" campaign and with your help we made it happen. If you purchased a pink whistle (or spread the word and someone else did), we added $2 to the amount for the Louisville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the cure.

After staring in January, we hit 1,000 of them sold this past Thursday! I am very excited it you can't tell. No oversized check or ceremonies or anything like that. We just mailed them a check, and it should be in hand doing some good very soon.

So I wanted to personally thank all of you whether you bought one or you just said "hey, I like what you guys are doing with that".

Let's Raise $5,000
So what do we do now? Keep it going? See how much we can raise for 2011? I think so. I think we can raise $5,000 if we start now as we will have all of basketball season vs. half way through this past year.

What do you think? Can you help continue our fundraising efforts for breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs? We can not do it without your help.

Buy a pink whistle here (pink lanyards, now available, too) and/or share this article with a friend or group by email, Facebook, Twitter or whatever. Let's raise $5,000 by December 31st, 2011!

More Info on Breast Cancer
I am re-printing our breast cancer info and to dos below that we shared when we launched the campaign.

Some Quick Facts

Fewer than one in five eligible women get the lifesaving breast cancer screening and treatment they need.
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States.
With mammography, it can be found early when the chances of surviving it are high.

For Women to Do

If you are 40 or older, be sure to get a yearly mammogram.
Help reduce your risk of having breast cancer with regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

For Men to Do

Encourage all the important women 40 and over in your life to get yearly mammograms.
Send a link of this article to the women you care about and make a big difference off the court or field.

More Links and Information
Sign Yourself or Others Up for Yearly Mammogram Reminders
Susan G. Komen Foundation
National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation
Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Pink Zone

Friend of Ours Publishes Book for Aspiring Football Officials

2010-09-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

One of our customers and a good friend of Ump-Attire.com, Todd Skaggs, has recently released a book intended for aspiring football officials titled Forward Progress: Confessions from a Rookie College Football Official.

The book includes expert advice on how to to get noticed, move up and improve your officiating skills from over 20 officials from college and pro ranks including Mike Carey and John McGrath of the NFL and NCAA supervisors like Ken Rivera (Mountain West), Jim Jackson (Ohio Valley), Doug Rhoads (ACC) and Rogers Redding (SEC).

What he has done though gaining access to the Who's Who of officiating world and sharing his newfound knowledge on how to move up to the next level, all in one resource, is extraordinary. I have yet to read the book, but hope to very soon.

You can find more details about the book or pick up your copy today at www.forwardprogressbook.com.

More About Todd
Todd has been officiating high school football for over eight years and is currently in his second year as a college official in the Division II West Virgina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He also publishes Profootballreferee.com, a blog about football officiating that includes in-depth interviews, video, articles and a podcast.

Local KBUA Golf Scramble Photos

2010-09-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

The 2010 Kentuckiana Baseball Umpire Association (KBUA - association for Louisville high school umpires) was a great success. Sharing some photos below.

2010 KBUA Golf Scramble Wining Team (l to r) Josh Wolff, Jimmy Smith, Paul Schardein

KBUA President Keith Shartzer Thanks Participants

KBUA Golf Scramble Organizers (l to r) Jim Kirk, Charlie Logsdon, Keith Shartzer, Dave Weber and Anthony Wilder

Treasurer Anthony Wilder Hands Out Door Prizes

Officially Un-Official

Our Vision, Mission and Values

The Umpire School's Mark Stubblefield to Be Featured in Monthly Series

Coop is Promoted to Sunbelt Conference

VIDEO: Staff Learns Umpire Mechanics with Mixed Results

Tailoring Services Performed at The Umpire School

A CEO's Waking Thoughts at The Umpire School's Opening Day

Phone and Walk-In Hours Changed

College and Former AAA Umpire Becomes Field Rep

Meet Krista and Brandon at Chicago NCAA Umpire Clinic

Youth Umpiring Organization Chooses Ump-Attire.com as Official Supplier

5 Things About Walk-In Customers You Didn't Know

Krista Wolf Promoted to Customer Service Manager

The Umpire School Caps and Jackets

Changes to Privacy Policy to Reflect Social Media Use

New Sport Specific Blogs - Good Calls for Officiating

Facebook Input Results in Price Drop of Majestic Therma Base Jackets

"Stay in the Game" to Receive Proceeds from Football CD Series

First Look at New Balance MU460 Plate Shoes: Look and Feel

Take a Tour of the Vero Beach Sports Village (Home of The Umpire School)

Umpire Products of the Year Suggestions

2011 Umps Care Charities Golf Marathon

The Umpire School Sponsorship

Local Umpires Golf Scramble Photos

Three D1 Football Conferences Wearing Different Look Cap

Snapshots from the Derby City Umpire Clinic 2011

Exclusive Majestic Jackets: When Black and White is Better than Color

Stay in the Game Campaign to Raise Awareness of Prostate Cancer Among Officials

Wilson Product Development, Changes and New Items

Preseason Gear and Apparel Checklist

Going Black Leads Trends in Football Official Apparel

First Football Catalog Introduced

COMING SOON: A Longer Wilson Platinum, Gold

Review of Forward Progress Book by Todd Skaggs

People and Photos from the NASO Summit 2011 - Atlanta

NFL Continues to Use Made in USA Penalty Flags

Attended Largest Gathering of Officials Ever in Atlanta

Successful Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Celebrated

Customers Choice Seal Awarded to Umpire Products

Diamond Cuts Ultimate Umpire Bag to Right Length

Named Exclusive Vendor for Derby City Umpire Clinic

The Umpires Behind our 2011 Baseball Promotion

Officials at Risk of Heat-Related Illness

An Umpire's Protective Gear Should Include Sunscreen

BLUE for Pink Campaign Makes a Difference for One Ump-Attire.com Staffer.

Staff Feature: Krista Wolf

NCAA Umpires Wear Pink on Cancer Awareness Night

The Development of the XL Ultimate Ball Bag and its Features

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Going Strong

Introducing UmpVision, an Ump-Attire.com Exclusive

College Umpires a Good Call in Shoot for Marketing Campaign

3rd Annual Umps Care Charities Online Auction

Top 10 What's Hot for Umpires in 2011

Replacement Mask Padding a 2011 Trend

Trainer Incorporates Fitness into Officials' Routines

Staff Feature: Amanda Tricase, Creative Director

Wilson Product Manager Highlights Chicago NCAA Clinic

NCAA Clinic in Phoenix, Jan. 22, 2011

Photos from UMPS Care Golf Classic

NOT WHAT YOU THINK: Lengths of Wilson Chest Protectors

Proud Sponsor of 2011 UMPS CARE Golf Classic

Catalogs, Finally!

Just Arrived Special Order Items from Wilson Include Exclusives

New Functionality for an Enhanced Shopping Experience

Critics Agree: Booth at Nashville NCAA Clinic a Hit

NCAA CLINIC UPDATE: Meet Anessa in Nashville

Have a Safe and Happy New Year

Price Reductions for Baseball/Softball Items

Enforcing the New NCAA Speed Up Rule Requires Proper Timing

January 2011 Referee Magazine Ad

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2010

Amish Workers Tour Our Operations

NCAA Umpire Shows Best Moves in Recent Shoot

Protective Gear Return Rates Improve Yet Again

Look for "Made in USA" Icon and American Made Products

BLUE for Pink Launches Facebook Fan Page

Officials' Shoes: When True to Size Isn't Always True

Pre-Sewn USA Flag Patch on a Made in USA Shirt

Our Move: Before and After Photos (and Thoughts)

More Best Equipment Awards for Second Year