Okay, so I had to get myself an umpire uniform. Not for a Halloween party or anything, but because I actually signed up to umpire some local little league games. Let me tell you, it’s a whole different ball game from just watching from the stands!
First thing I did was figure out what exactly I needed. Turns out, it’s not just a striped shirt and a pair of pants. You got your shirt, pants, hat, belt, shoes, and of course, the gear like the chest protector and mask if you’re behind the plate. I didn’t realize there were so many pieces to this puzzle.
The next big thing was getting the right size. Now, this is where it gets tricky. See, you need two sets of shirts, basically. One that fits you like a regular shirt for when you’re working the bases. And then a bigger one for when you’re behind the plate, so it can fit over your chest protector. I found out the hard way that they don’t stretch much!
- Shirt: I got one that fit just right for the bases and another that was a couple of sizes bigger for the plate.
- Pants: These were easier. Just had to make sure they were the right color and fit comfortably.
- Belt: A simple black one, nothing fancy. The size for the belt is 1 or 1-1/4. I wouldn’t have thought of that before if I hadn’t looked it up.
- Shoes: Black, comfortable, and good for running around in.
- Protective Gear: This is only if you’re doing the plate, but it’s super important. Chest protector, mask, the whole nine yards.
I tried everything on a few times to make sure it all fit right. I even did some practice squats and arm movements to mimic what I’d be doing during a game. Gotta make sure you can move easily, right? The fit is super important. Makes you feel more official and also helps you get respect from the players and coaches, which I found out is pretty important when you’re trying to keep a game under control.
So, I wore the whole getup to my first game. Felt a little silly at first, like I was playing dress-up. But once I got out there and started making calls, it all felt pretty natural. And let me tell you, having the right uniform makes a difference. You feel more confident, and it definitely adds to the whole experience.
Now, I’ve got a few games under my belt, and I’m getting the hang of it. It’s a lot of fun, and honestly, I’m learning a lot about the game from this new perspective. Plus, it’s a good way to get some exercise and be involved in the community. Who knew that putting on an umpire uniform would lead to all this?
