From the formal attire of the 19th century to the modern, functional gear of today, the uniforms worn by Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires have undergone a significant evolution. This journey reflects not only changes in baseball itself but also societal shifts and technological advancements. Initially seen as “representatives of authority,” umpires’ clothing has transformed from everyday formal wear to specialized uniforms designed for safety, comfort, and visibility.
In the nascent days of baseball, around 1846 when the New York Rules began to standardize the game, umpires were essential for enforcing regulations. These early umpires, often respected figures from the local community like lawyers or doctors, were chosen by the home team. There were no prescribed Mlb Umpire Uniforms at this time, but they were expected to present themselves with dignity and respect. They typically dressed in the most formal attire present, embodying their authoritative role. This usually meant a “sober black suit, white linen shirt, black scarf ties, and a tall silk hat,” projecting an image of solemn authority on the baseball grounds.
Umpire attire started to change roughly two decades before protective equipment became commonplace. One of the earliest tools to appear was the ball-and-strike indicator in 1874. Initially, home teams provided rudimentary devices, but by 1875, Peck & Snyder Sporting Goods offered a commercial “Umpires Assistant,” a walnut counter to keep track of balls and strikes. By 1885, this evolved to include run tracking, showcasing the early steps towards standardized umpiring tools.
A significant shift occurred in 1882 when the American Association, a major league formed just a year prior, mandated mlb umpire uniforms. This marked the first instance of umpires wearing designated attire rather than their personal clothing. The adoption of a blue wool suit was intended to reinforce their authority and make the single umpire, who moved around the field to make calls, easily identifiable to players and spectators alike.
Early baseball umpires in formal attire
Initially, umpires made calls from a fixed position behind the pitcher. However, the 1880s saw National League umpires adopting a position behind home plate, providing a comprehensive view of the field. This enhanced mobility allowed umpires to move and gain the best perspective for crucial calls. The National League followed suit with uniform adoption in 1883, and the American League when it was established in 1901, solidifying the concept of mlb umpire uniforms in professional baseball. For several decades, the mlb umpire uniforms remained relatively consistent with only minor modifications.
Just as catchers’ gear and baseball rules evolved, so did umpire protective equipment. An 1880 rule change requiring catchers to catch balls on the fly for a strikeout pushed them closer to home plate, increasing the danger. Umpires, similarly positioned for calls, also required protection.
The first piece of protective gear for both catchers and umpires was the face mask, introduced in 1882. Dick Higham is recognized as the first umpire to use a face mask. The top hats previously worn by umpires were incompatible with masks, leading to the adoption of sunshade hats. In 1886, the C.J. Chapin Arms Company advertised a sunshade hat, priced at $1, in The Sporting News. These hats replaced umbrellas, which were cumbersome, especially for catchers. Base umpires eventually opted for “university style” caps, while home plate umpires used shorter-billed “Boston style” caps that could fit under their masks, marking an early differentiation in mlb umpire uniforms based on function.
Following the face mask, the chest protector emerged as the next vital piece of equipment. Umpire John Gaffney created an early version in 1888, described as “an ingenious breast and stomach protector … made of pasteboard in sections, joined together with elastic.” Gaffney concealed his protector under a cardigan, explaining he needed it for protection after being hit numerous times. By 1891, cork chest protectors were common among umpires. Bill Klem claimed to have invented an aluminum rib protector in 1913, worn inside the coat, though some credit umpire Jack Sheridan with an earlier inside protector using a hotel ledger.
Klem also advocated for the inside protector for better visibility, contrasting it with the bulkier “balloon” style outside protector, which was inflatable for travel. Eventually, outside protectors became non-inflatable and were stored at ballparks. The National League eventually mandated inside chest protectors, with exceptions for a few umpires who preferred the older style for specific reasons.
Shin guards were the next addition to umpire safety. Initially deemed unnecessary, Bob Emslie pioneered their use in 1900, using cricket pads. By 1911, shin guards were standard, worn under the pants and slightly smaller than those used by catchers.
These equipment changes necessitated alterations to mlb umpire uniforms. Shin guards required wider pant legs for home plate umpires. Inside chest protectors led to larger coats to maintain a tailored look.
Smaller brooms replaced larger ones after an incident in 1904 where a player was injured stepping on a large broom. By 1906, spiked plates for shoes were available to prevent slipping, and toe pads were introduced in 1912. Steel-toed shoes became standard by the late 1930s, with the Major League Umpires Association eventually having its own shoe endorsement, highlighting the increasing professionalization and focus on safety within mlb umpire uniforms and equipment.
After the initial adoption of blue suits, mlb umpire uniforms remained largely unchanged until the 1960s. Minor adjustments included coat modifications to accommodate inside chest protectors; umpires began wearing jackets two sizes larger. Following the tragic death of Ray Chapman in 1920, hit by a pitch due to poor ball visibility, the “clean ball rule” was introduced. Umpire jackets were then designed with larger pockets to carry more baseballs.
In 1913, a brief experiment with alternate mlb umpire uniforms occurred when American League President Ban Johnson announced white flannel suits for holidays and presidential visits. He also introduced braid on sleeves indicating years of service, replaced by a gold star after five years.
While the white flannel suits were short-lived, alternate colors resurfaced in 1926 with light brown khaki suits for summer and “peachy ice-cream outfits” for special occasions. Despite initial umpire enthusiasm, public reaction led to a swift return to traditional blue for the next four decades. A later National League trial with white trousers and blue blazers also failed due to players intentionally dirtying the white pants, demonstrating a resistance to deviate from the established blue mlb umpire uniforms.
By the 1960s, fan attire had drastically changed. Suits at games were replaced by casual wear. Umpires in their traditional suits started to appear outdated and overly formal, creating an image that felt out of sync with the evolving ballpark atmosphere and not ideal for emerging television broadcasts. A modernization was needed to maintain authority while adapting to contemporary times.
On March 20, 1968, the American League announced the first significant change in mlb umpire uniforms in thirty years. They shifted to blue blazer-style jackets, gray slacks, and white shirts. For hot weather, a blue shirt with the league logo and gray slacks, without the jacket, became permissible.
The National League retained blue suits but added patches. In 1970, they allowed short-sleeved blue shirts and added identification numbers to sleeves, moving the league patch to the chest. With jackets becoming optional, ball bags were introduced, with umpires wearing belts with two bags, each holding six baseballs.
By the mid-1960s, the American League encouraged inside chest protectors for a better television appearance. In 1977, they became mandatory for new American League umpires. Jerry Neudecker was the last to use an outside chest protector, retiring in 1985. The inside protector also influenced strike calls; National League umpires could squat lower, gaining a better view of low strikes, while American League umpires, with balloon protectors, called more high strikes, highlighting how equipment subtly impacted the game itself.
The 1970s also marked a shift where leagues began covering uniform costs, previously borne by umpires, further professionalizing the role and the mlb umpire uniforms. This era saw continued minor uniform changes. National League umpires were allowed black turtlenecks and dark T-shirts for a layered look.
In 1975, the American League broke tradition with maroon suit jackets, the first color change from blue since the 1920s, paired with gray or black slacks, white shirts, black ties, and hats with white shields.
By 1980, both leagues moved towards uniform standards. Inside chest protectors became mandatory (with few exceptions), and umpires from both leagues trained in the same schools under the Umpire Development Program. Both adopted blue blazers and gray trousers, with league initials on dark blue caps, and continued to use turtlenecks and short-sleeved shirts. The trend of minor color and style variations continued into the 21st century.
Increased focus on player and umpire safety led to technological advancements. Joe West, an umpire since 1976, patented umpire gear endorsed by MLB, the “West Vest” line made by Wilson Sporting Goods. The “Pro Platinum Chest Protector,” part of this line, is designed for maximum protection and comfort, conforming to the shoulders with enhanced side pads. West also designed a mask with solid steel crossbars for improved visibility and protection, an upgrade from hinged masks. Modern masks use advanced padding materials like deerskin and memory foam for comfort and moisture-wicking fabrics.
Innovations in shin guards within the West Vest line include enhanced knee protection with adjustable padding. West Vest also offers bicep and throat protectors, the latter hanging from the mask to guard against foul tips.
Hockey-style masks gained some popularity toward the late 20th century, offering better visibility but less protection against direct foul tips compared to traditional masks and skull caps. Due to the prevalence of concussions from foul tips, many umpires and catchers returned to conventional masks.
Former umpire Dick Honig founded Honig’s Whistle Stop in 1984, a major supplier of officiating apparel and equipment, expanding significantly over the years. Honig’s Pro-Elite Chest Protector features increased strength, rigidity, and lightweight design, with improved ventilation and adjustable straps for a custom fit. Similar advancements are seen in Honig’s shin guards and face masks, prioritizing both protection and comfort.
Recent progress in mlb umpire uniforms emphasizes comfort and weather adaptability, alongside technological advancements in protective equipment, providing a safer and more comfortable environment for umpires. The evolution of mlb umpire uniforms illustrates a continuous effort to balance tradition, authority, safety, and the changing needs of the game.
References
[1] Elizabeth K. Martin, The Development of Baseball Umpires’ Uniforms, 1846-1996 (University of Rhode Island master’s thesis, 1997), 6.
[2] Martin, 1.
[3] Matin, 5.
[4] Peter Morris, A Game of Inches (Chicago: Ivan R. Dee Publisher, 2006), 391.
[5] Martin, 2.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Martin, 4.
[8] Martin, 13.
[9] Martin, 64.
[10] Morris, 391.
[11] Jonathan Fraser Light, The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball, 2nd Edition (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2005), 970.
[12] Morris, 391; The Sporting News, June 21, 1886.
[13] Light, 970.
[14] Morris, 391.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Light, 970.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Morris, 391.
[21] Light, 970.
[22] Light, 971.
[23] Morris, 391; The Sporting News, June 15, 1912.
[24] Light, 971.
[25] Martin, 4.
[26] Martin, 16.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Martin, 34.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Martin, 37.
[35] Ibid.
[36] Ibid., 39.
[37] Ibid.
[38] Martin, 40.
[39] Light, 970.
[40] Ibid.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Martin, 40.
[43] Ibid.
[44] Ibid.
[45] Martin, 43.
[46] Ibid.
[47] Umpirejoewest.com/umpire_equipment.htm.
[48] Ibid.
[49] Ibid.
[50] Ibid.
[51] Ibid.
[52] honigs.com/
53 Ibid.
