COLLEGE to PRO: Team-Issued Gear

In college, you have it made. You are given everything you could ever need while playing or preparing for the game of baseball- you could literally show up on day one of practice without a single possession and you'd be perfectly fine. Your school dresses you, puts a glove on your hand, places a bat on your shoulder, and slips a fresh pair of cleats on your feet- and just in case, there's an extra pair sitting in your locker. Back in school I was all about the free gear, so naturally when I made the jump to pro-ball I assumed there'd be even more handouts. To say I was let down is an understatement.

On my first day in Rookie Ball, I walked into the clubhouse equipment room expecting the full treatment. In my mind I saw maple bats, a table filled with different glove models, and a tailor running toward me with a measuring tape, eager to form-fit my uniform. I mean, this was professional baseball!

What I got was an entirely different experience, however. I walked in thinking I was hot stuff, and I left realizing I was nothing but a name checked off a list for having received his pro-ball gift basket.

What I had come to know in college as a thorough process of careful perusing and selecting was now a whirlwind of flying clothing and quick-draw 'yes or no' questions. I stood still, a target for the clubbies as they ran around, throwing socks, jerseys, shorts, and hats in my direction. It was all hands off- no options or choices, aside from uniform number and bat model.

Q & A : Response to Comment Section Questions from 'Owen'

This comment was posted under MiLB LIFE: A Typical Game Day [Part Two]

      Owen said...

Ha, ha! The part about the base running drills made me laugh so hard. I'm actually going to say that to my coach this spring. I'll let you know if he laughs or I wind up running wind sprints. Here are some questions: do you get free equipment and why don't players get to keep their uniform shirts? Does the team let you buy it if you want to? Do you get to pick your number?

      January 14, 2011 8:09 PM 

Owen, thanks for reading and I appreciate the comment. As far as my feelings about base-running drills go, I'd keep those to yourself- unless you have a hankering for your coach's favorite form of punishment, of course. 

As for equipment- I was given a free glove on my first day of Rookie Ball. It was the weirdest thing. I walked into the equipment room, got my uniform, team shorts and shirt, and at the end they asked my position. 'Outfield.' Here you go- they handed me a brand new black glove still in the packaging. I didn't have any say or get to pick- there it was. I looked down at some Wilson model I'd never seen before- for all I know it was a test model. I could barely get my hand into the thing- it now serves as decoration on a shelf in my bedroom. A teammate of mine made the point that they likely gave us these gloves simply so they can say they gave us a glove- I wonder how many actually see any action.

Who has the Best Uniforms in College Baseball?

The Debate is on. This is a question that sluts itself around to each and every baseball blog, message board, and fan website there is, and it usually ends with each person voting for the uniforms of their favorite team.

And when the Ole Miss fan disagrees with the LSU fan who thinks that the Tigers' Gold jersey is the nations best unit, the proud LSU fan of course responds with, "How many rings have you won in your uniforms? That's what I thought!" It's like clockwork, and it's what every online baseball debate that's meant to be fun and light-hearted comes down to - people taking things personally and losing sight of the initial question.

Well we're talking style here people, so don't let your loyalties confuse you. I'm not gonna say there is one ultimate "best in show" uniform in college baseball right now - I do like the LSU Golds, Ole Miss has some classic combos, the Stanford pullover is timeless, and I even like what Under Armour has done with Auburn and South Carolina's look.

Texas pretty much put the white hat on the map and Miami's "U" on the hip is an example of the school's flashy style, while UNC offers an understated elegance in their light blues. Michigan represents the Midwest well in their classic colors, and UConn's old-school stirrups go perfectly with their ageless look.

But for my money, there's no uniform out there that's better than Clemson. Clemson's all white uniforms are where tradition meets flash, and Jack Leggett and company cover all their bases. They've got the all white batting gloves, custom white and orange cleats, and the mix of orange and purple is unusual, but it works. I can't tell you another sports team that combines these colors, but Clemson does it, and they do it well.

At least four different hat options, jersey tops up the wazoo, and the thickest piping in the country. The best part about it: I don't even think they have gray pants. I've seen them play for years and I think they only wear white bottoms, which is awesome (if you're good, of course). "We'll play at your place and we're gonna wear white pants because we're Clemson and we don't give a crap about the home team - we wanna look good."

Yes, it sounds like I'm chugging the Clemson Kool-aid and going back for seconds, but I assure you I was not a Tiger - that's just how classic their uni's are. All players have to wear their pants low - hell, they don't even give out colored socks to wear underneath in case your pants ride up at the ankle. What do they wear? White socks. 

The only knock I had against Clemson's repertoire was that on the back of their hats, underneath the paw reads OMAHA. Whoah, really? What if on the back of UCLA's basketball jerseys they sewed in Final Four? We get it, you're traditionally a powerhouse and expect to get to Omaha - if you don't the season was a bust - but writing it on your hats? Seems a little extreme.

I of course thought this way up until they actually did make it to Omaha last year and then I couldn't believe how sweet it was that they have Omaha written on their hats - They called their shot! What swagger! See, you have to expect to be there!

So there you have it- in my mind, Clemson has the look to beat in college baseball. Now if we could only get them to flatten out their outfield they'd be on to something.