Metropolitan Baseball Umpires Association Proudly Serving the Best Interest of Baseball Since 1920

Last Updated: Monday, January 9, 2006 11:37 AM

MBUA Uniform Specifications Table

The table belows lists the required, recommended, not recommended, prohibited, and acceptable uniform items for MBUA members when officating High School and Recreational games. Unless otherwise stated, the specifications apply to both the plate and base umpires.

Patches:

Notes:

1. All MBUA umpires are required to wear an approved hat while working a game, whether in the field or behind the plate.
   • An approved MBUA hat is solid dark blue (navy) wool or wool blend, with white MBUA letters on it - style (Straight) and font (Full Block). It may be either sized (preferred) or adjustable.
   • Four brim styles are available: base cap (8 stitch), combination cap (4&6 stitch), and plate cap (2 stitch, aka beanie cap, least preferred). Umpires may wear plate cap only when working the plate.
   • Synthetic mesh hats are prohibited.
   • A mesh hat that has the look of a wool or wool blend hat but with hundreds of miniature holes in each panel is also approved.
   • Plate umpires that wear the hockey style face mask are not required to wear a hat.


2. The official MBUA shirt is the pull-over style in:
   • Dark Blue (Navy) pullover, short sleeve shirt, scarlet/navy/white transverse stripes on the collar & sleeves, or
   • Dark Blue (Navy) pullover, long sleeve shirt, scarlet/navy/white transverse stripes on the collar & sleeves, or
   • Powder (Light) Blue pullover, short sleeve shirt, navy/white/scarlet (collegiate) transverse stripes on the collar & sleeves, or
   • Powder (Light) Blue pullover, short sleeve shirt, navy/white transverse stripes on the collar & sleeves
   
   The shirt may be either 100% cotton, 50/50 cotton polyester, pro style dazzle cloth or 100% nylon micro mesh material. It may have either buttons or a zipper closure at the top. The light blue dress shirt (aka 'Elbeco' or Hathaway shirt) is not authorized for wear, having been phased out in 2001.
   
   Each shirt will have sewn onto the front left pocket the official MBUA patch. An American Flag may be sewn onto the shirt - centered on the back just under the collar is recommended. Additional patches may be worn under these conditions:
   
   • Umpires that work High School games must have the MPSSAA patch sewn onto the right sleeve. The MPSSAA patch should be centered on the right sleeve with the top of the patch located 2 inches below the shoulder seam.
   • Umpires, while working non-High School events, have the option to wear patches from other certifying organizations (Babe Ruth, Little League, MSBL, etc.). MBUA umpires may wear those patches on their right sleeve in place of the MPSSAA patch.
   • At no time will there be more than one patch on the right sleeve.
   
   
3. An undershirt must be worn whenever you are wearing the MBUA pullover shirt. The undershirt shall be either Dark Blue (Navy) or Red in color; short sleeve; crew neck or mock turtleneck.
   • The red undershirt may only be worn with the dark blue (navy) pullover shirt.
   • All umpires must have the same colored undershirts.
   • MBUA or a manufacturer's logo may be on the collar.
   
   
4. The official MBUA pants are Heather Gray umpire slacks. Shorts are never permitted under any circumstances. When working the plate, shin guards are to be worn under the pants. The hem is cuffless, and the pants may be either plain or pleated in front.



5. Shoes shall be black. A brand logo or white stripe(s) may be on the shoes, but the predominant color must always be black. Shoes must be cleaned and polished prior to the start of every assigned game.
   • It is highly recommended that the plate umpire wear protective high top plate shoes, with a steel toe and metatarsal plate (to protect the top of the foot).
   • It is highly recommended that the field umpire wear athletic shoes with a rippled or studded sole to provide better traction.


6. When weather conditions warrant, umpires may wear an MBUA jacket. The color shall be a dark blue (navy), and the elastic bands will be of red/white/navy transverse stripes. The large MBUA patch will appear on the left breast, and there will be no other writing on the jacket. The jacket may be either a full jacket with button or zipper closure or a 1/2 zip front pullover style.



7. Umpires may choose to wear a long-sleeve, V-neck sweater in place of the jacket. The sweater shall be Dark Blue (Navy), and will have the MBUA patch on the left breast (the same one which is on the shirts). There will be no other emblems on it (Exception: some manufacturers put their logo on their sweaters. This is allowable).



8. In general, wearing sunglasses while umpiring games is discouraged. If worn, the sunglasses must be an appropriate type that project a professional image. They shall be of a non-reflective surface (i.e. non-mirrored finish). In no cases should umpires place the sunglasses on top of ther heads (hats), attach them to their belts or allow them to be visible when not in use. Wearing sunglasses as the plate umpire is especially discouraged.



9. Wearing a plate coat while officating High School games is discouraged. If worn for Recreational games, the coat shall be Dark Blue (Navy) in color, fit properly and have the MBUA patch (small shirt patch or big jacket patch) on the left breast.

Umpire Equipment Suppliers

Local suppliers of MBUA specific items: