Dress Code

**** This page has been update for the 2024 Season  ****

Purchase Officials Supplies is the official supplier for FVB, and offers a 10% discount to FVB members.  Purchase Officials sells the highest quality merchandise, and have demonstrated the highest level of customer service.

The following dress code is merely a guide to help members make uniform purchases when working games.  FVB does not mandate dress or uniform requirements.  This is merely a guide.

All major uniform items are now available thru the FVB Garage Sale, where members have donated items back to FVB to resell to new members.  Consult calendar for details.

Pants

Charcoal Gray Pants are the standard for all levels of Baseball. The most common are the Poly/Wools or the Smitty brand.

Heather Gray Pants are the standard for all levels of Softball.  Heather Gray pants are NOT acceptable for Baseball.

Other tips on pants:
Not acceptable - church pants, dockers, shorts, etc.
Buy both Plate and Base slacks.  Combo pants are great economic buy, but make for a poor look on the plate and bases.
Cleaning - you'll know when they need to be cleaned...maybe every other game. Dry clean them before the season, and every chance you can. If you work 8 games/week, get at least 3-4 pairs.
If you are going to wear Combo pants on the bases, wash them after working the plate.  The shin guards will create rolling dirt and wrinkle waves visible when no gear is on.  You wouldn't wear a pair of pants like that to work.
If you keep them hanging in your car window, the sun will fade them and it will look horrible. Buy one of the child shade protectors or a garment bag.
When picking out a pair of pants...DRESS YOUR SIZE! Nothing looks worse than pants that are skin tight from the thighs up.
 

Shirts

Black shirts with black/white piping are the default shirts. What does this mean? If you are working with a partner and you can't agree on a color shirt to wear, you should have your black shirt to fall back on. You should always carry your black shirt with you to every game you work, even if you have pre-arranged a shirt color with your partner. Partners can be changed at the last minute and you do not want to go on the field not matching your partner. Please use the chart below to determine the appropriate accessories for each shirt. The majority of members have the standard shirts that have piping on the collar and trim. There is also the "pro-style" shirt that does not have piping on the collar. A person wearing the pro-style black shirt is not matching his partner with a standard shirt. If you are new member, buy the standard shirt first then expand your wardrobe as you progress through your career. 

Umpires working as partners should wear the same style and color.  When choosing a manufacturer of shirts, keep in mind you get what you pay for!

 The new MLB style shirt is not yet an accepted FVB standard, but is acceptable if you match your partner.

• FVB Patch - If worn, the FVB patch is worn on the left breast pocket of shirts.  FVB Patches can be obtained either thru Purchase Officials, or by emailing Vince Mastandrea.
• American Flag Patch - OPTIONAL. To be worn on the back of the shirt, centered, just below the collar. IHSA has suggested this to be worn above the heart.
• IHSA contests require the Navy colored "IHSA Member Official" on the left sleeve (IHSA requirement per the IHSA)
• Do not wear IHSA patches for NCAA games (Dress Code Cardinal Sin #1) if you ever want to work another NCAA game.
• Numbers on right sleeve...completely optional.  If you choose, please adhere to the table scheme above.
• The IHSA or NCAA standard is acceptable for summer league contests.

T-shirts: See above chart for required colors. McDavid and Under Armour are highly recommended.

FVB patches can be purchased through Vince Mastandrea ; McDavid® brand (Intera-Wear) or Under Armour can be purchased through Purchase Officials.

Jackets 

Recommended Jackets - 

1/2 Zip Pullover:  The standard!  Black with white piping is preferred.
Full Zip Thermal Pullover  Great for 35 degree days (or warmer depending on your cold tolerence level).

 

For all style jackets, the preferred color design is black with white piping.
Many variations exist, preferred features include non-elastic bottom (better for tucking in), and a breast pocket (ideal for lineup holders).

Patch and Number configuration:

• Left Breast: FVB Patch recommended, however should be blank for CBUA or IHSA post-season contests.
• Right Sleeve: 4" Red & White number on Navy Jacket; 3" Black & White numbers on Black Jacket.
• Left Sleeve: Recommended to leave blank (per Collegiate dress code)

Hat

FVB logoed hats are supplied can be purchased through Purchase Officials, 6-stitch fitted combo is the standard. Adjustable and beanie-style hats are ABSOLUTELY 100% STRICTLY prohibited and grounds for extreme ridicule!!  If you are a female, Honigs can provide hats that accomodate pony-tails.

Please note the difference in the two Carolina Blue lettered hats:  Black hat = Baseball; Navy hat = Softball.  Consult table above for full guide.

For each level of ball, the following exceptions can be made:

• IHSA: IHSA or FVB lettered hat. For IHSA post-season contests, IHSA hats are required and can be purchased thru Honig's.
• College: FVB or blank. "NCAA" hats are prohibited by the NCAA. Also, CBUA hats are to be worn for CBUA Assigned contests only.
• Summer Ball: FVB only.
• The Pro-mesh style cap is not recommended.

Never wear your hat backwards behind the plate.
Keep the top of the hat crowned, and keep the hat clean of dirt and salt stains. A little Fabreze goes a long way!

It is strictly forbidden to wear competitive associations' hats and patches during a game assigned by FVB. It is also forbidden to wear FVB hats and patches when working games not assigned by FVB.

Ball Bag

The only real requirement here is that the ball bags must come from an official supplier, and they must be clean.

Must be navy or black and in a polyester/cloth material. They should match the color of your hat. You may also wear black ball bags with any color shirt. 

If you use two bags, be sure one is not faded lighter than the other, or a different shade of navy.

If you sweat a lot in the summer, get a lined bag. We've had guys sweat thru their pants and ball bags on 100 degree days, and the balls became soaked!!

Shoes

Black and shined; must be from a supplier

• Plate Shoes - Highly recommended for all umpires working higher than Little League level. New Balance is the most popular
• Base Shoes - Any shoe from the three major suppliers. New Balance is popular at the higher levels.
• Combo/Convertible shoes - If on tight budget, these are a good buy. But very few have proven to be high quality.

Hint: The best way to keep shoes shined is to clean them with Scrubbing Bubbles. Then spray them down with hair spray. (Trust me it works)

Miscellaneous

Be sure socks are black...white or gray are prohibited. Preferred Socks - Force 3 Ultimate Socks

• Sunglasses - Athletic (Easton, Oakley, Bolle). Remember to remove at pregame conferences.
• Belt - Black leather 1.75" wide from a supplier. Patent Leather is preferred.
• Gloves - Black Gloves from a supplier: 

Cold Weather Hints
Under Armour:  either from Purchase Officials , or directly from Under Armour site for a much greater selection
Cold Weather Hood: For those 32 degree March days.  Totally acceptable, and highly recommended
Extreme Heat: Under Armour Heat Gear