Honig's Umpire Base Slacks

A Review

I liked these pants the moment I put them on. They fit well and had room in all the right places. There seemed to be a little more room in the thighs and crotch area. Nothing grabbing, comfortable, and my wife said they looked neat and trim. Trim is an important word to me, you see I am anything but trim. For a baseball umpire I look more like a lineman from a football game.. Finding a supplier for pants has often not been an easy or entirely pleasant experience..

Let's look closely at the pants. All pants are not the same. When you begin to examine the pants closely you recognize some of the features that give these pants more than a decent chance of making it through the season. Major seams are bar tacked, for example at the top and bottom of the vertical slash side pockets and the two rear pockets. The seven belt loops are wide and can accommodate a 2" belt. There is a generous seam allowance and wide waist band with rubber "snug-tex" waist. Each free seam is surged to prevent fraying of the fabric.

Honig's describes these pants as "Athletic Cut" and indeed they are.. The material is light weight polyester in traditional flecked gray. It has an ability to give in all directions, adding to the comfort. I have worn the pants on cold nights and been comfortable and on warm afternoons where their breathability was appreciated.

And how did they wash? So far, so good. In truth I am very gentle on my umpire clothes when they are cleaned. I will wash only a few items at a time in cold water and on the permanent press/polyester cycle of the machine. From here the go to a dryer with a low temperature polyester drying cycle. Despite numerous washings the pants maintain the same appearance they had when first purchased.

At best these pants have needed only a few touches with the iron to remove the smallest crease. Often they can go straight to the pants hanger.

My only complaint deals with the waist fastener. The pant is secured at the waist by a standard button and metal clip fastener. The rigors of working the field places a strain on the single metal fastener and really there should be two fasteners for a waist band of this width. Adding this little fastener would turn a great base slack into an exceptional base slack The pants as shipped to me had one minor flaw also with this fastener:. the clasp receiver was placed at a 45 degree angle which required some minor adjustment.

Very good value for the money! - - a four plate rating! (4/5)

Available from Honig's Whistle Stop

.... reviewed June 1, 1996 by B. McLaren

Brian Alcaraz adds his experience .....

This year I bought a new pair and now rotate them. They cost a little more, but I think they are worth it. As for as base pants, I use the same brand, but, the ones I now use came from Honig's with a flaw in their cut, and the seam does not lay right. I'll be replacing them this year.

One bit of advise on the fasteners, as soon as I buy a new pair, I take them to a seamstress and replace the metal hook with a button and hole. That way, if they don't hold up, I can replace the button myself.

.... received on June 30, 1996