If you are gearing up as a new umpire, get to your clinic first. There are tons of veteran tips such as – TRY ON HATS before you buy at the clinic. You want the wool FITTED cap that is snug, but not too tight. This is the base for all your umpiring needs as your umpire mask suspends from the brim of the hat.
4 Stitch vs. 7 Stitch Umpire Hat
You learned a new term already. The 4 stitch is your plate hat and the 6 or 7 stitch hat is for the bases. New umpires often get these two fitted hats in high school blue to start. Some conferences, associations or groups ( and most experienced umpires) start with black fitted hats. This is also good for you to hit the local umpire baseball clinic and get the answers you need. You should go buy a hat early at the clinic and try them on – these two fitted hats are a great start to your umpire career. HS Navy blue is where the majority of umpires start.
The Kit or Go Pro
You can start with the umpire kit for protective gear or you can ask the equipment vendors at the show if they give a new umpire discount (for the big purchases). As of the writing of this, going pro gear might set you bak $1,200 to get the good gear and clothing in one purchase. The kits are under $250 in most cases for the mask, shin guards, chest protector, ball bag, plate brush and indicator. Ask for help with your pants, shirt to get setup and you will be ready to umpire some games. You can grab your gear at the clinic break or before lunch.
Another great option is to find out which vendor is going to be at the clinic and you can pre-order gear. Trust us, you will want to get advice on gear.
Tailor’s Belt Best Gear
The ultimate item in a new umpire’s bag should be the Tailor’s Belt. This item will keep your pants up high if working the plate. This thick rubber belt goes on the inside under your pants and just under the belt line. This belt tucks the shirt in and above all, holds your pants up even with a ball bag full of baseballs. Purchase the thicker tailor’s belt and you will not have to pull your pants up every pitch.
Clothes and Pants
If you have money, purchase both plate pants and base pants. If you are on a budget, they don’t look as good, but they are a bargain – combo pants. Combo pants will work both behind the plate and also on the bases. They won’t look as good on the bases, but they will save you money if that is your goal. Plate pants should fit like regular waist and inseam length. The exception is that they will not come with a hem. You will need to take your plate shoes and get the hems put in at a tailor. Some pants can be ordered and shipped with the hem done for an added fee through the vendor. Sometimes, this is very worth the fee as you will find it takes you a long time to get to the tailor, get measured and then need to return to pick them up. Your shirt will be the regular size you wear. Umpire shirt manufacturers make the shirts big enough to fit over your chest protector.
Plate Shoes
Spend a little money on these plate shoes. They protect your feet and have to feel comfortable because you will be on your feet as well as running out to get closer to calls. Plate shoes should be worn by all lower-level officials (as well as upper level). These shoes have a steel plate on the front and side to protect you from would tips or balls thrown in the dirt. Along with the plate shoes, you want some good, tall socks that pull up to the knees. Your shin guards will be worn over the socks and have straps and buckles. The comfortable socks will help your feet after standing for hours and then running around the baseball diamond.
Don’t Buy Your Cup On Sale
Rookies – don’t buy your cup and jock set on sale. Umpires need protection and your personal area is a good spot to protect! Saving some money on a cup device that will need to absorb a pitched fastball, is a bad life decision. There are a couple brands that take a 100 mph fastball as a direct hit. You can find that umpire cup video on YouTube – get a really good cup. 2,400 lbs. of force delivered by a 90 mph fastball… ouch. Get a great cup.
90 mph fastball delivers a punch -but not on the nutty buddy. This divide has saved the bacon (and bits) from direct shots.
