Black Pants

[secondeagle]

Does that mean that the hat is not worn cocked to one side with shades of course?

[With_Two_Flakes]

Properly worn white knickers and striped socks is what separates us from intramural flag football officials.

...and much of the time and in much of the USA, I'm sure that's exactly what is worn. But I can understand the rationale behind them having been adopted in the more Northerly states for cold / foul weather.

I'm the wrong side of fifty now and when I do a game in bad weather I really feel it. During my last trip to the USA, I had a chance to examine a pair of the (Honig's) black pants. They looked to be made pretty much like the white knickers - same type of waistband, pockets etc. But they are a heavier material and water resistant.
I'm looking forward to my Association adopting the black pants. If they help me feel a little more comfortable, then I can probably do a better job during the game.

[jrshrek]

I love them, and my crews enjoys them too.  I say wear them all season.  Plus we look skinnier.   

[James]

Black is the new black this season?

Maybe Mike's fashion guru has something to say about that.

[Morningrise]

They sure are comfortable. However: Nearly every sport has officials with striped shirts. And most of those have black pants. But when you see an official in knickers, that's when you *know* you're looking at a football official.

I'm enough of a traditionalist to appreciate that. I'd like to keep the knickers, and leave the slacks at the basketball courts and ice rinks.

[110]

They sure are comfortable. However: Nearly every sport has officials with striped shirts. And most of those have black pants. But when you see an official in greyed knickers, that's when you *know* you're looking at a football official.

Always editing, I am.

[jrshrek]

Lacrosse has white shorts...looks like the Good Humor Ice Cream guy.

[mishatx]

Lacrosse has white shorts..

Only for another 6 weeks or so.

[chymechowder]

Lacrosse has white shorts...looks like the Good Humor Ice Cream guy.

hahaha.  I do high school lacrosse in mass.  white shorts + long sleeve shirts is funny-looking, imo.  it looks like we showed up to the game and realized that we had accidentally left our short-sleeves at home.

[ballhog]

Lacrosse has white shorts...looks like the Good Humor Ice Cream guy.

So glad this is NO More.

 I did not like the pant when it came out but having seen them worn I do like the look. In Central Texas not many opportunities to wear them if you use the Long sleeve with pants and short sleeves with knickers guideline. The pant and short sleeve shirt just does not look right to me.

[VALJ]

I wish our association would allow them.  Would have likely been a lot more comfortable each of the last two Friday nights.  But, some of our officials apparently told the board that they weren't going to pay for another set of pants.  I figure I buy a new set of knickers each year anyway, so one year I'd make do with two year old knickers, but that's just me.

Likely, those are the same ones who are wearing those grey knickers that Livin' in the Pit references...  I think some of our guys have pants they've had since before I became an official 9 seasons ago...

[FredFan7]

I say keep 'em...and phase out the knickers.

 

[Mike L]

Being in San Diego, CA I have to say "who needs 'em?"
How about a "whatever" choice?

[SWilliams]

Our association in Arkansas notes there are two different black pants...
1) All Weather, and
2) a Heavier/Thicker, Cold Weather pant

on the market.  They allow us to wear short sleeve shirts with the All Weather slack style pant, and must wear long sleeves with the Foul/Cold weather pant.

My personal opinion, is they should come out with the white pant with black stripe like the NFL wears for NFHS, and College officials to replace those old school, uncomfortable polyester knickers.  Sorry if I offend anyone with a deep affection of those pants, but styles change, and so should the officials.  I don't understand the argument that guys not wanting to spend money for another style of pants.  That would be like hiring a carpenter to do a remodel job, and he shows up with a screwdriver, and says he didn't want to buy hammers, and other tools.  I do understand tradition, and it has its merit.  A mixture of the styles would be welcomed.

Baseball umpires no longer use the balloon chest protector, and nobody questions their professional appearance.

I like the comfort of the black pants, and would wear them every night.  On our crew it is not even a discussion. 

[Etref]

Well, I voted for extreme weather but........................

We have a weather front moving in and our game Friday night will be around 35 degrees with a wind. So with that in mind one of my crew is going to pick us all up a pair at Honigs and then we will have a hemming party prior to going to the game.


Okay so I wuzzzed out!

[AlUpstateNY]

The NFL unilaterally decided to change their appearance so they look different from all other football officials.  Apparently they didn't like different products using football officials to advertise any number of products ( or were upset they weren'y getting paid for the reference to their league).

College, High School and Youth Football officials are not NFL officials, and if you work at any of those levels you need to understand and accept that.  As it turns out the black trousers do offer some practical advantages for foul weather, although the open cuffs seems like a bad idea that could easily be remedied by tapering or adding elastic. 

The purpose of our uniform is to separate us from the players on the field, and nothing does that as well as white knickers, that are immediately recognized to mean only one specific thing.

[biltheref]

Foul weather (or field conditions) and extreme cold weather (below 40 degrees). 

[drilsgt_98]

Properly worn white knickers and striped socks is what separates us from intramural flag football officials.

For most of us I think there are a few other things that seperate us as well.

[OhioFJ]

 

I'm all for the black pants. more comfortable and better looking that the tight knickers.

[Cooter]

I'm all for the black pants. more comfortable and better looking that the tight knickers.

I agree - white knickers look stupid and fit terrible - go with black pants all the time.

[Etref]

Not so sure those black pants would work well in Week 1 when it is still 100+ degrees and you have a game on turf............

[VALJ]

For most of us I think there are a few other things that seperate us as well.

You mean, like the fact that we're the only people on the field wearing baseball caps and stripes? 

[Etref]

Okay, wore them last night and they were great. I was able to layer underneath and stayed toasty despite it being about 35-38 degrees. Not bad at all.   

[whosyourdaddy]

At the high school level and below it seems that many "Fat old men" see officiating as a way of keeping young or close to the game.  With all the pounds being hidden or not so hidden underneath those uniforms it sounds like the black pants with room to spare is the appropriate choice compared to the tight white knickers. 

[AlUpstateNY]

At the high school level and below it seems that many "Fat old men" see officiating as a way of keeping young or close to the game.  With all the pounds being hidden or not so hidden underneath those uniforms it sounds like the black pants with room to spare is the appropriate choice compared to the tight white knickers.

I doubt who ever is actually your daddy would admit to fathering such an idiot for a son.