Umpire Equipment Care
Umpire Gear, Equipment &Uniforms
Shirts & Pants
-Machine wash warm with like colors, gentle or permanent press cycle. Do Not Bleach.
-Tumble dry on low cycle. Remove promptly and hang up or fold.
-Items with patches or numbers: Cool iron on the reverse side on top of a clean terry cloth towel.
-Avoid unnecessary prolonged sun exposure to clothing to prevent fading (i.e. leaving shirts on seat or hanging in back window of car). Use a garment bag, cover with a cloth or leave them inside until needed.
Caps/Hats
-Brush cap with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt and dust.
-Spot clean cap with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly. Place in a Cap Keep (or stuff with a cloth) to retain shape while it dries. An old minor league umpire tip is to place the wet cap on a lamp shade with the light on to dry it.
-Most caps are washable, including the wool and mesh ones. Use a Cap Keep designed to be washed to protect the cap if you place it in the washing machine. This usually results in limited success. Generally, buy a new cap if more than spot cleaning is needed.
-If washing a wool or mesh cap, use Woolite tm (or a similar product) instead of soap.
-NEVER dry a cap in the dryer. Place it in a Cap Keep or stuff with a cloth to retain its shape while letting it dry.
-Use a Cap Keep to hold its shape between games.
-Allow cap to completely dry of perspiration before storing. This is especially important if it gets wet due to rain.
-It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture in caps can cause mildew. Use a Cap Keep or a cardboard box instead.
Umpire Jackets
-Machine wash cold with like colors, gentle cycle.
-Do Not Bleach. Line dry or tumble dry low.
-Remove promptly and hang up or fold.
-Cool iron only, if necessary.
Plate and Base Shoes
-Brush soles of shoes with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt.
-Wipe shoe uppers with a soft cloth to remove dust, dirt and moisture.
-Store in a cloth shoe bag to keep clean. It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture can cause mildew.
-Keep a spray bottle of water and a couple of old towels/rags in your gear bag. Spray water on the shoes to remove dust or dirt.
-If your shoes get muddy, wipe/scrape off excess mud and then use the spray bottle (or take them inside when you get home) to remove the remaining dirt. You can let it dry first; it will work just as well when you are ready to clean them. Just remember to use the water sparingly.
-Protect shoes using leather conditioners (such as Collonil Shoe Polish or Collonil Waterstop or -Parade-grade shoe polish) to ensure long wear-ability. Follow leather conditioner directions to maintain polished appearance.
-For patent leather (or shoes treated with Leather Luster), clean with a soft cloth and water only. If you want to increase the "shine" you can use a spray furniture polish. (Pledge is recommended).
-Carry some shoe polish in your car.
-Check shoestrings often. Keep a spare set in your gear bag.
Protective Equipment
Chest Protectors and Leg Guards
-Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. I hose mine down a few times during the summer and hand them on a clothes line.
-Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
-Replacement straps can be purchased when they wear out.
-Caution: It is possible for rust to form on metal parts of equipment if stored while damp.
-Check regularly for proper fit.
Umpire Face Masks and Pads
-Wipe frame clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt and perspiration. Leather and suede pads can be spot cleaned only using products specially designed to clean leather and suede (Caution: Don't use saddle soap. It will irritate your skin).
-Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
Accessories
-Indicators & Plate Brushes - Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly before storing.
-Ball Bags - Can be machine washed same as slacks.
-Belts - Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
These are general guidelines. Check manufacturer's recommendations for suggested care.
Shirts & Pants
-Machine wash warm with like colors, gentle or permanent press cycle. Do Not Bleach.
-Tumble dry on low cycle. Remove promptly and hang up or fold.
-Items with patches or numbers: Cool iron on the reverse side on top of a clean terry cloth towel.
-Avoid unnecessary prolonged sun exposure to clothing to prevent fading (i.e. leaving shirts on seat or hanging in back window of car). Use a garment bag, cover with a cloth or leave them inside until needed.
Caps/Hats
-Brush cap with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt and dust.
-Spot clean cap with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly. Place in a Cap Keep (or stuff with a cloth) to retain shape while it dries. An old minor league umpire tip is to place the wet cap on a lamp shade with the light on to dry it.
-Most caps are washable, including the wool and mesh ones. Use a Cap Keep designed to be washed to protect the cap if you place it in the washing machine. This usually results in limited success. Generally, buy a new cap if more than spot cleaning is needed.
-If washing a wool or mesh cap, use Woolite tm (or a similar product) instead of soap.
-NEVER dry a cap in the dryer. Place it in a Cap Keep or stuff with a cloth to retain its shape while letting it dry.
-Use a Cap Keep to hold its shape between games.
-Allow cap to completely dry of perspiration before storing. This is especially important if it gets wet due to rain.
-It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture in caps can cause mildew. Use a Cap Keep or a cardboard box instead.
Umpire Jackets
-Machine wash cold with like colors, gentle cycle.
-Do Not Bleach. Line dry or tumble dry low.
-Remove promptly and hang up or fold.
-Cool iron only, if necessary.
Plate and Base Shoes
-Brush soles of shoes with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt.
-Wipe shoe uppers with a soft cloth to remove dust, dirt and moisture.
-Store in a cloth shoe bag to keep clean. It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture can cause mildew.
-Keep a spray bottle of water and a couple of old towels/rags in your gear bag. Spray water on the shoes to remove dust or dirt.
-If your shoes get muddy, wipe/scrape off excess mud and then use the spray bottle (or take them inside when you get home) to remove the remaining dirt. You can let it dry first; it will work just as well when you are ready to clean them. Just remember to use the water sparingly.
-Protect shoes using leather conditioners (such as Collonil Shoe Polish or Collonil Waterstop or -Parade-grade shoe polish) to ensure long wear-ability. Follow leather conditioner directions to maintain polished appearance.
-For patent leather (or shoes treated with Leather Luster), clean with a soft cloth and water only. If you want to increase the "shine" you can use a spray furniture polish. (Pledge is recommended).
-Carry some shoe polish in your car.
-Check shoestrings often. Keep a spare set in your gear bag.
Protective Equipment
Chest Protectors and Leg Guards
-Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. I hose mine down a few times during the summer and hand them on a clothes line.
-Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
-Replacement straps can be purchased when they wear out.
-Caution: It is possible for rust to form on metal parts of equipment if stored while damp.
-Check regularly for proper fit.
Umpire Face Masks and Pads
-Wipe frame clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt and perspiration. Leather and suede pads can be spot cleaned only using products specially designed to clean leather and suede (Caution: Don't use saddle soap. It will irritate your skin).
-Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
Accessories
-Indicators & Plate Brushes - Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly before storing.
-Ball Bags - Can be machine washed same as slacks.
-Belts - Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly of perspiration before storing.
These are general guidelines. Check manufacturer's recommendations for suggested care.