Ten years ago, in the middle of a month-long cross-country road trip, I stopped in Shelby, Montana, where I checked out the Marias Museum — a tiny facility devoted to local history. Shelby had been the site of Jack Dempsey’s heavyweight title defense against Tommy Gibbons back in 1923 (it was supposed to put the town on the map but almost bankrupted it instead), and a good chunk of the museum was devoted to artifacts from the bout. It was a great little exhibit on a little-noted chapter in sports history.
Local history museums like the Marias are among my favorite travel attractions — the smaller, the better. Sometimes amateurish but always lovingly assembled, these informal little reliquaries are often filled with amazing photos and other artifacts you’d never find at “real” museums. Two readers have made this same discovery lately — both in Iowa, oddly. The first is Jesse Gavin, who recently sent the following communiqué:
I would probably have been the last one to imagine that there’d be any vintage uni finds in my hometown of Cascade, Iowa (pop. 2000). But when I was home over the weekend, I stopped by a new exhibit at the hometown Historical Museum. They just opened up a new exhibit on Urban “Red” Faber, a Cascade native who went on to play for the White Sox for 19 years and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1964. They had plenty of good stuff there, so here’s a bit of a recap.
First off, they had a pretty cool locker reproduction, including an authentic jersey, cap, pants, and socks. They also had an original seat from old Comiskey Park and a couple of other caps. I’m not sure which team the first of those caps was from, but I’m pretty sure the latter was from an off-season when Faber was loaned to the New York Giants for a world tour.
In addition to the Faber stuff, they also had a few old pictures and uniforms from Cascade-area town teams from back in the day. This Pleasant Grove jersey is from the late ’40s, as are this catcher’s mitt, chest protector, and shin guards.
About a week after I heard from Jesse, I got a note from Neil Berger, who had discovered two more Iowa treasure troves:
A recent family wedding took me to Iowa City, where I visited the University of Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, and Cedar Rapids, where we took in a Cedar Rapids Kernels game and checked out their Hall of Fame, which had uniform samples from the long history of Cedar Rapids baseball.
Neil didn’t fully describe all his photos, but there’s some killer stuff, ranging from the obvious (baseball, football, men’s and women’s hoops) to the not-so-obvious (marching band, letterman sweaters). Treat yourself to a slideshow of his photos here.
Membership News: Two dozen membership kits went out in yesterday’s mail, which means we’re finally caught up. With one exception (sorry, Bobby Hill, your card got botched during trimming and will have to be done over next week), every card that was ordered through last Sunday has now been printed, laminated, and shipped. If you’ve been holding off to give Scott and me a chance to catch up after the flood of orders from late July, now’s the time to sign up — we’re ready for you. And that goes double for the guy who inquired about having us do a Colorado Caribous design treatment.
Uni Watch News Ticker: DeAngelo Hall had a message for Chad Johnson on Monday night (thanks, Vince). … Map manufacturers sometimes put small, phony streets onto their maps, as a way to catch people who are stealing and republishing their maps. Stuart Greenlee reports a similar example from the logo world: “A student from Clemson University once told me that the Clemson ‘paw print’ logo had a notch cut into the bottom of the paw to prevent copyright. Ever since then, I have looked for the notch in other paw-print logos (believe me, there are a lot of them here in the South). Occasionally I’ll see some other school using the logo with the ‘Clemson Notch’ and I wonder if they have permission.” … The DE ROSA-vs.-DEROSA issue is addressed in the next-to-last entry on this Q&A page (with thanks to Jon Aubry). … Cathy Reeder caught an interesting exchange during a Cubs game the other day: “During a discussion of catcher’s gear, color guy Bob Brenly said, ‘Of course there is one piece of protection you ALWAYS wear. In fact, I even wore IT when I was a manager and a coach in the dugout too. I just always felt IT was part of the uniform.’ Now, I’m a girl and I’ve never played baseball, but isn’t it odd that a coach or manager would wear a protective cup? I mean, do you really need one to sit on the bench? Does anyone find this odd but me? Do any other MLB managers do this?” I know there are at least three people reading this who work in MLB clubhouses — what’s the word, people? Do coaches and managers wear the cup? … Entertaining story of possibly dubious veracity from David C. Murphy, who passed along this note that he received from a friend: “When I worked at Airborne Express (’90-’97), occasionally we would see packages go through from whoever made the MLB jerseys at that time. If someone got called up, traded, or needed a new jersey, there would be one shipped out. On more than one occasion, I would get the jersey out and try it on. I think I worked one whole shift wearing a Dwayne Henry Astros jersey. That falls under the ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time’ stories.” … The NFL season is time to start, which means it’s time to make fun of the Bengals’ nameplate/yoke/sleeve inconsistencies. Here’s how it’s supposed to look: Nameplate complete on the orange yoke, which curves down to meets the sleeve stripes. (Note that we matched this style when designing Uni Watch membership cards.) But some players don’t have curved yokes (here’s another example), and sometimes the nameplate extends down into the white area. Yo, where’s the quality control? (Thanks to David Sonny for those pics.) … Separated at birth: Wallace Spearmon and Jeff Weaver. … Here’s something you don’t see very often: a tilde over an A (good spot by Jeremy Brahm). … Follow-up to my recent report on NFL captains probably wearing a “C” designation this season: According to this article (forwarded by Steven Wyder), the Bengals’ captains “will wear the NFL’s new captains’ patch on their uniform jerseys.” Not sure if this patch is simply a C or something more involved, but I’ve got a call in to the NFL and hope to have an answer tomorrow. … These trademark-infringement cases are getting seriously out of hand (with thanks to Caleb Borchers). … Perfect marriage of product and marketing campaign, as Old Spice is now sponsoring Tony Stewart’s armpits (as reported by my new neighbor and longtime Uni Watch pal Doug Kalemba — welcome to Brooklyn, buddy).
#1 by Scott on 08.29.07 9:06 am |
I don’t know what to do with the distinct honor of being the first post. I guess I’ll just note that the new ION helmet from yesterday seems to have that extended chin/face protector like on the Riddell Revolution. I’m in a contract law class right now so i can’t link pics, but you can easily find them on yesterdays front page. Also, on Thursday night, LSU faces off against VT. One thing i have noticed is that each of these teams uses the 4 point low chin strap hook ups. The only time a player uses the high hookup is on a revolution helmet, or if they have a 6 point hook up. Someone please do the research, I find it very interesting that they are the only teams that do this.
#2 by ScottyJ in WV on 08.29.07 9:11 am |
The 2 things that jumped out at me from the U of I museum were the wasaay cool band uniform (awesome embroidery to make up “IOWA”!) and the men’s BB uni. The belt is just so cool.
#3 by jacob on 08.29.07 9:12 am |
Also, on Thursday night, LSU faces off against VT.
VT plays ECU this saturday and then they go off to LSU on the next thursday..
#4 by jesse on 08.29.07 9:13 am |
With respect to the Bengals inconstancies;
I bought a game worn jersey the other day, not a Bengals jersey, but any way. The level of customization on them is staggering, I imagine that every single jersey is unique, and that the adding, subtracting and stitching in additional spandex into the jerseys really reeks havoc on the template jerseys.
Last season we discussed why the side panels on Pitt’s jerseys were always inconsistent, there is no doubt that that individual customization of the uniforms is the culprit for that. I think it probably is for the Bengals as well.
#5 by ScottyJ in WV on 08.29.07 9:24 am |
Hi, I’m Alex Keith, President of Old Spice Marketing.
Carl Weathers is great!
#6 by Kyle at IU on 08.29.07 9:25 am |
I must say that, if you are a college football fan, a trip out to Iowa City to catch a game at Kinnick Stadium is a must. It may not be as glamorous as an Ohio State or Michigan game, but I thoroughly enjoyed my one trip to Kinnick ad would like to go back. As an aside, the great thing about that marching band uniform is that, if memory serves, the fundamental design hasn’t changed to this day. Hawkeye fans, feel free to correct me.
DeAngelo Hall should really worry about something other than shaving crap into his hair….like maybe actually STOPPING Chad Johnson.
#7 by Jason G. on 08.29.07 9:26 am |
I love the Cedar Rapids Bunnies uniform in Neil Bergers slideshow. That’s an awesome slideshow, good job Neil.
As far as DeAngelo Hall’s message goes, if you’re going to do something that ridiculous, you better back it up. Chad Johnson had 5 receptions for 83 yards and a TD against him in a preseason game.
#8 by chris on 08.29.07 9:30 am |
about the protective cups: I heard on TV from a few NFL players that some generally don’t wear them because they get in the way. In a sport that has so much contact, I couldn’t believe this. Could it be true?
#9 by Microsoft on 08.29.07 9:38 am |
how do you jpg. a pic?
#10 by Vince DeMarco on 08.29.07 9:38 am |
I’ve heard the same. Evidently, all the running in football creates some chaffing issues. (Beware of what happens at the bottom of the pile after a fumble.)
#11 by NateL on 08.29.07 9:39 am |
I was in Dunkin’ Donuts this morning, and one kid working at the counter had a New Era sticker on the brim of his DD visor, which was neither made by New Era, nor was it the 7 1/2 size fitted the sticker said it was.
I KNOW I’m not the only one who doesn’t get this fashion at all.
Not exactly sports uni-related, but thought it was worth a share.
#12 by Larry Kurtze on 08.29.07 9:39 am |
RE Red Faber’s caps, the one pictured in the second link is the cap the White Sox wore in the 1917 World Series. They wore special red white an blue uniforms because of WWI. And, of course, to sell as throwbacks to championship starved fans, which thankfully was fixed in 2005.
#13 by Rich on 08.29.07 9:40 am |
As a former marching band geek, I appreciate the shot of that sharp-lookin’ Iowa uni!
#14 by NateL on 08.29.07 9:40 am |
Oh, and on the subject of protective cups…
I play baseball in an adult league, and wear a cup when I pitch. Just about everyone on the team doesn’t get it. I just can’t set foot on a baseball field without one on.
#15 by jacob on 08.29.07 9:41 am |
just a reminder:
the Canucks unveil their uniforms today at 3:30EST..
#16 by Rick on 08.29.07 9:43 am |
I’m sure there are some… I played baseball with ppl who refused to wear a cup, even as a catcher. Just to illustrate that some either have the balls not to protect them, or lack the brain capacity to do so.
#17 by Greg on 08.29.07 9:48 am |
I’m thinking the Bengals’ jerseys are just in “preseason form.” None of the orange nameplates wandered down into the orange last season. Rudi Johnson’s nameplate was all on the orange last year. This year, not so much. Carson Palmer’s nameplate was all on the orange last week. This week, not so much.
The 40th anniversary patch has also failed to make it onto the jerseys so far.
I’m hoping the equipment staff gets it together for the season opener next monday. As for the curved yoke and inconsistent stripes, their loss is just an unfortunate byproduct of custom tailoring. The lack of uniformity in the uniforms is annoying.
#18 by Paul Lukas on 08.29.07 9:50 am |
Jose Reyes doesn’t wear a cup. Or at least that’s what he was quoted as saying two years ago.
#19 by Boston Nick on 08.29.07 9:57 am |
I remember hearing about Adrian Beltre not wearing a cup. Other than catcher, third base is probably the most dangerous place to not wear one.
Cups were pretty much a rule as catchers when I was younger. My coaches wouldn’t let us get behind the plate without them. I usually wore one later on when I moved from catcher to second (or short, or OF), but occasionally I just ditched the cup, because they just aren’t all that comfortable.
I wear one very time I play hockey though, that’s for sure.
#20 by Jonathan on 08.29.07 9:59 am |
LSU plays Miss. St on Thursday, then next SATURDAY(the 8th) will play VT.
#21 by MJ on 08.29.07 10:02 am |
While playing legion ball, a kid standing on deck received a foul ball right in the happy place. He ended up going to the emergency room. He was one of those who didn’t understand why you would wear a cup if you were not catching. After that, EVERYONE on the team wore one.
#22 by DCM on 08.29.07 10:08 am |
Where did I read recently that Johnny Damon encouraged his fellow Yankees to go ‘cammando’ when they take the field? I don’t have to make my 14 year old son wear a cup…he seems to enjoy it.
Being old school, I hate the new, lighter helmets being worn in football and baseball, but I actually like the look of that ION helmet.
And hopefully my friend didn’t mind Paul publishing the Airborne Express story…but that’s why I sent it in!
#23 by JMichaels on 08.29.07 10:13 am |
I think that if you put on baseball pants every day for 15-20 years and wore a cup while playing, that it would feel uncomfortable to wear ball pants without a cup. I play slow-pitch, and I can’t put on ball pants without a cup on and feel right.
I have heard that the vast majority of football players do not wear cups. Seems crazy to me. However, if an OF dives for a ball, a lot of times the cup will move over and hit your most sensitive spots. Maybe football players don’t wear them for that reason.
#24 by Stuby on 08.29.07 10:13 am |
Kudos to the guy (or gal) who chose a powder blue Expo jersey with ‘Selig 94′ for their membership card. You must break out in convulsions anytime you hear the name ‘Rick Monday’ (see 1981 playoffs).
Sorry if I made you convulse.
#25 by J Michaels on 08.29.07 10:15 am |
While listening to the Royals/Tigers game last night (Tues 08/28), the announcers said that Royals OF Joey Gathright had some sort of eye irritation. He did not start, but he pinch hit in the 7th or 8th inning and they said he was wearing his regular glasses and not his contacts. Alas, it was not on TV in KC, so no pics.
#26 by chris on 08.29.07 10:21 am |
the best picture for the supporting *ahem* the use of cups
#27 by jaye on 08.29.07 10:28 am |
Our Little League does a “cup check” at every game. It’s hilarious to see all the kids hitting the “happy place” with both fists then shouting “CUP CHECK COMPLETE!!”
#28 by Kenny on 08.29.07 10:29 am |
I never wore a cup playing football. I played for eight years and only one time did i get hit in the cash and prizes. actually i fell on a guy’s foot when he was getting pancaked. it is extremely uncomfortable to wear one. think about the guys who have to squat down for 70-80 plays a game and all the running and shifting done. not pleasant.
#29 by Josh on 08.29.07 10:29 am |
Ahh Waikato. I’m pretty sure they have the best jersey in all of rugby. Anyone else have any opinions on that?
Toulouse may have the second best (black of course…).
For worst, I think Stade Francais…and I’m not sure there’s any debate about that. How fucking horrendous. Ughhhh.
#30 by Josh on 08.29.07 10:33 am |
Does VT have a virtual monopoly on Thursday nights? I never understood why they always play then…
#31 by Little Josh on 08.29.07 10:33 am |
Those USA Basketball unis have some issues
1: Players aren’t wearing their normal numbers.
2: The USA logo over the name plate is serious overkill and very oldfashioned.
3: The swoosh is on the front!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! :(
#32 by Shaftman on 08.29.07 10:38 am |
2 & 3 are fair enough.
In international competition you must wear numbers 1-15 though. That’s why “normal” numbers might not be issued.
These are the uni’s we are talking about.
#33 by Korch on 08.29.07 10:38 am |
The numbers are different because of the limits on numbers for international play. Check out the original dream team: Jordan 9, Bird 7, etc., etc..
#34 by Shadeymonk on 08.29.07 10:38 am |
Players can’t wear their normal numbers in international competition
#35 by BCrisp on 08.29.07 10:39 am |
I was poiting out those Bengal uniform inconsistencies to my wife the last time they were on TV. She rolled her eyes and told me to “Go tell that Uni Something about it.”
#36 by Stuby on 08.29.07 10:39 am |
It used to be that Louisville would play every day of the week but Saturday, seemed like.
#37 by jesse on 08.29.07 10:40 am |
They like it, most of the power conference teams won’t do it, the Big Ten flatly refuses to play on Thursday (I know, Michigan and Minnesota did once, but it was thing).
Its a great way to get on TV, and is probably a carry over from the Big East, which always plays weekday games. Since Tech is usually good, and since they fill Lane Stadium up on Thursdays (alot of teams can’t) they can do it whenever they want for the most part. It winds up being a pretty big advantage for them. Just ask Clemson.
#38 by Vince DeMarco on 08.29.07 10:43 am |
Michigan and Minnesota played on a Friday night because the Twins had a playoff game in the dome on Saturday.
#39 by Vince DeMarco on 08.29.07 10:44 am |
Michigan and Minnesota played on a Friday night because the Twins had a playoff game in the dome on Saturday. Lloyd Carr was, as usual, a disagreeable grouch about moving the game. I think he wanted to move the game to Ann Arbor.
#40 by jesse on 08.29.07 10:46 am |
The short answer is that it is totally a way for non-bcs conference teams to get on national tv.
It turned into a tradition a Virginia Tech. The Big East uses it to showcase its teams because on Saturday nobody is going to watch Rutgers play South Florida no matter how dood they are. Pitt plays three or four weekday games this year, if they didn’t they likely would not be on TV at all, and thats a real quick way to kill your program.
#41 by jesse on 08.29.07 10:49 am |
Right it was Friday not Thursday, it was a few years ago. Carr was a real baby about it too. Moreover,Paterno simply said that there was no way Penn State was playing on a weeknight in Minnesota the last time it looked like the Twins were going to make the playoffs, it wound up not being an issue though.
#42 by Jason on 08.29.07 10:50 am |
Assuming that the baseball equipment from the museum was all from the same era, I found it surprising that the shin guard design remains virtually unchanged to this day (as far as basic style is concern) while the catcher’s mitt reminds me of this.
#43 by Peter Wunsch on 08.29.07 10:51 am |
Map manufacturers sometimes put small, phony streets onto their maps
I worked for a small publishing house in the late ’70’s and one of the authors intentionally out two phony facts into his book to catch plagiarizers. And then he sued Trivial Pursuit for using one of his bogus facts without permission.
#44 by DJ on 08.29.07 10:51 am |
In international competition you must wear numbers 1-15 though. That’s why “normal†numbers might not be issued.
No, the only permissible numbers are 4-15. 1-3 aren’t permitted because they are used for referee’s signals.
#45 by Stuby on 08.29.07 10:57 am |
In the biz, they’re called ‘map-traps’.
#46 by todd krevanchi on 08.29.07 10:58 am |
a. usa basketball issues numbers 4-15 and not 1-15. international rules are 12 man rosters.
b. im assuming when you say players cant wear their normal numbers in international competition, you mean, their nba numbers. because their usa basketball numbers are their normal numbers for usa basketball. however provided their nba numbers fall in the 4-15 range players can absolutely do so. jason kidd and carmelo anthony do.
#47 by ScottyJ in WV on 08.29.07 10:59 am |
Saw this story about the Univ. of Montana Grizzlies getting new uniforms for the upcoming season, but there’s no pictures.
Anyone might know where to look at those?
#48 by Dan on 08.29.07 11:06 am |
When I played QB or RB in high school, I always wore a cup…because the contact could come from anywhere. (Often lineman or LBs coming in toward the lower parts of the body).
When I played DB or WR, I didn’t wear one. Less risk of getting hit there. You figure a DB is DOING the hitting, so isn’t probably gonig to take one in the boys…and a WR is getting hit higher, usually.
#49 by Shaftman on 08.29.07 11:07 am |
That’s right…my mistake. That’s what I get for trying to do a little work instead of focusing all thoughts and effort on UniWatch. Won’t happen again…I promise.
#50 by Sammy on 08.29.07 11:07 am |
Actually, the Michigan/Minnesota game a few years back was on a Friday night, moved from Saturday due to the possibility of the Twins having a playoff game there on Saturday. (They didn’t make the playoffs)
I think I was eleven or twelve, and I loved it. I got to stay up late, watch the whole game alone, without my parents or anyone bothering me, plus, Michigan set the record for biggest comeback in their history. I still like night games, even though it does go against the college football tradition.
#51 by Dane on 08.29.07 11:08 am |
I spent two glorious days in the UniWatch homeland - Brooklyn - watching the AVP beach volleyball tournament. And can I just say that I have no problem with this kind of swoosh-related logo creep.
http://www.flickr.co...
The swoosh kinda looks like a tilde above the A in her name.
#52 by Dan on 08.29.07 11:09 am |
Had to share with you all…apparently my loathing of the green QB dot on the helmets has finally gone beyond my wife’s tolerable limits.
She’s put a cap on me. The other night, I said something about the green dot, and she turned to me and said, “Ok. That’s it. I’m not listening to this all season. I think the green dot sucks too. But you get one. One comment per game. That’s it. Get it off your chest…and then no more.”
Stupid Green Dot.
#53 by possum on 08.29.07 11:15 am |
When I moved to catcher in Little League, I’ll never forget my coach pulling me aside with the bag of miscellaneous team equipment in it. He told me there was something besides the pads and mask I had to wear. He reached deep into the bag and pulled out an old cup with multiple holes in it, no jock or anything. I had to situate it around the goods for the game until I could get my own. But I tell ya, it didn’t take long before I knew why I was wearing it behind the plate.
#54 by steve on 08.29.07 11:17 am |
I was on a driving trip in Mississippi staying only on the small roads and followed one of those traps. The road ended at a bunch of guys on ATVs with rifles.
#55 by Jonathan on 08.29.07 11:17 am |
They aren’t playing LSU then!
#56 by Jonathan on 08.29.07 11:20 am |
Here
Here is the schedule. They play two Thursday games later in the year but not against LSU
#57 by Jeremy on 08.29.07 11:22 am |
Regarding the whole cup issue, I remember reading in SI a few years ago that Torri Hunter does not believe in wearing them either.
#58 by Jonathan on 08.29.07 11:23 am |
Since when are night games against tradition? Those noon games are the worst thing especially for the college students
#59 by Shaftman on 08.29.07 11:24 am |
Ahhh….memories.
.
I remember having to go through the same thing. I still remember having to share the cup but we wore it outside our pants with the jock.
#60 by Pat on 08.29.07 11:28 am |
I have plenty of problems with the USA basketball uniforms, but the only complaint I have that agrees with yours is the swoosh on the front.
The font choice is all wrong. I would have went with a rounded sans serif font. Probably something similar to what the steelers use for their numbers and nameplates.
The periods in U.S.A. really bug me for some reason. It seems to be throwing the wordmark off center. I would definitely go without the period in the future. Maybe use that logo (which I love) like they did for the Dream Team (I refuse to call them the “original dream team”… they are the DREAM team).
I would get rid of the white stripe down the side and change the U, S and A to white going down the side of the legs. Either that or continue the stripe up to the arm hole in the jersey. It looks dumb to have the stripe start at the waist.
The names on the back are way too small. The letters look squatty. I would use a the same rounded sans serif font and either vertically arch or arc the letters.
Finally, I always hated the one stripe that goes around the neckline and arm holes. I would have gone with a thick white stripe with a thinner red stripe in the middle, kind of like this (**sniff** I’ll miss you Al).
Those uniforms have been bugging me for a while.
#61 by Broker75 on 08.29.07 11:32 am |
That’s one heck of a tight body, and ass. Oh yeah, I saw the welcomed swoosh too.
#62 by Stuby on 08.29.07 11:33 am |
That could’ve happened on any road in Mississippi.
#63 by Dane on 08.29.07 11:34 am |
I believe in college football, “tradition” equals whatever the Big Ten used to do.
#64 by possum on 08.29.07 11:35 am |
No, the one with 2 holes is what I ended up buying at the store. The other one had a lot of holes as I recall. I tried to find some pictures but all I got was a dirty feeling inside. What the hell are these guys modeling for?
#65 by Bouj on 08.29.07 11:36 am |
I’m wearing a cup in my cubicle as we speak…
I completely agree with the being used to wearing a cup with baseball pants idea. I always wore one when I was younger (especially since I was an infielder), and now that I’m playing slow-pitch, I’m wearing one again. No way I’m taking a chance. I know too many ex-teammates that got jacked up with a wayward ball.
None of the other guys on my team wear one. I just don’t get it. Even my friend’s husband (our 3B) just kind of shrugs his wife off when she tries to get him to wear a cup.
#66 by Dan on 08.29.07 11:40 am |
We often discuss supplementing sports equipment in other uniforms for other indutries…Speaking of which, I was just in an elevator in my office building and the DHL delivery woman had on a pair of Franklin batting gloves! The only thing that could have made it sweeter was if they were Red and Yellow to match the DHL shirt/logo, as opposed to Marron and Black. I was too excited to ask her why she wears them, but I will get the full scoop next time I am in the elevator with her!
Probably tough to get them in Red and Yellow, I can’t think of any pro ball teams that were that combo! Any thoughts on this?
#67 by ScottyJ in WV on 08.29.07 11:42 am |
I was a lineman when I played, and I never wore a cup. I always found one to be VERY restrictive and uncomfortable during play. It simply got in the way.
However, there was one incident during practice. I was playing center that day and one of our coaches was demonstrating to one of our QBs how you need to “get under” center. Y’know, really get your hands “in there”. Well, Coach Young showed him alright. He slapped his top hand and in the process gave “the boys” a good smack. I wanted to curl up in a ball and pass out, but I still had work to do…..I had to snap the ball.
Not a fun day.
#68 by JM Rempt on 08.29.07 11:42 am |
When I started as a Little League ump, I didn’t wear a cup behind home plate for the first 2 games. 1 errant foul ball later and I rued my decision.
#69 by shadoquad on 08.29.07 11:47 am |
I’ve heard that because so many players in the NFL leave their protective cups off, a lot of those injuries where “he’s down and holding his leg, this can’t be good”, then two plays later it’s “And he’s back out on the field, what a miracle”, is because of this uniform exclusion and the contact of said game.
If somebody has already posted this, I apologize. I didn’t read everyone’s posts.
#70 by Dan on 08.29.07 11:47 am |
And ESPN has agreements with leaues ACC, Big East, Mountain West…to show Thursday night games. (And I think Conf USA or the MAC have a Wed package, as well).
If the “worldwide leader” is going to give your conference $$ for weeknight games…you take it.
I just wish the Terps had a an off week before their Thursday nighter. They have to travel to Miami to play Florida International…and then turn around, come home, and have 5 days to prep for WVU…that blows.
#71 by Jason G. on 08.29.07 11:48 am |
Not too tough to get.
http://store.softbal...
#72 by Anthony Verna on 08.29.07 11:50 am |
I disagree by saying that trademark law has gone too far. The team has been using the exact same color scheme in those stripes for over 90 years. That color scheme in those stripes is registered as a trademark. It’s no surprise that a sports team sells clothing in their color schemes. Normally, that’d be ok. If you sell a navy blue t-shirt with some white in it in the Bronx, the Yankees can’t really complain. If you sell a white shirt with navy blue pinstripes, you might have an issue.
And that’s the key here, I’d argue. The color scheme with the stripes being in the same order shows that the source of the goods comes from the team and nobody else can sell it. It’s really a very narrow trademark, but marks are used to show the source of the goods is the same company.
#73 by JM Rempt on 08.29.07 11:51 am |
HA! I get that from my wife too, all the time…she’s also threatened bodily harm if I ever mention how much I hate baggy MLB uniforms ever again….
#74 by Al Gruwell on 08.29.07 11:57 am |
The C.R. Kernels wore reproductions of those C.R. Bunnies uniforms (yes, they were wool) on quite possibly the hottest day on earth in 2006. Those poor kids were just melting in the heat.
The reason that team way back in the turn of the 20th century was called the “Bunnies” was a play on the name of the town. Cedar Rapids become See Der Rabbits.
I work for the Kernels, and the Hall of Fame in our souvenir shop is a must see.
Also, there is a new collection displayed in the suite level.
#75 by Dan on 08.29.07 12:00 pm |
When I played JV ball, I was a back-up QB. I didn’t get along with the starting center. He would bring the ball back, as hard as he could, point first (instead of sideways, so I could grip the ball.) I guess he was trying to break my fingers or jam them or something. He and the guard (his best friend) got a real laugh out of it everytime he did it.
I’d finally had enough, one day. I knew he didn’t wear a cup (when you’re that close, you know…unfortunately). So I called Down, Set, and pulled my hands out of the way on HUT. He brought the ball up, point first and impaled himself.
I saw his butt kind of pop up, then he slowly fell forward onto his face, like a fallen tree. It was hilarious. I just said, “my bad. Thought I’d called it on ’set’”
Needless to say, he never brought that ball up point first again.
#76 by Mike on 08.29.07 12:00 pm |
My brother was a catcher in Legion ball; he wore a cup, but once a pitch that hit the plate and bounced up hit him in the cup and cracked it in two. He was STILL down for 10 minutes! Imagine if he hadn’t been wearing one!? I wouldnt be an uncle today.
Slainte’
Mike
#77 by Dan on 08.29.07 12:01 pm |
Paul-
I’ve had a post eaten twice. Can you fish it out?
Thanks
#78 by Stuby on 08.29.07 12:03 pm |
Near as I could figure without a calendar in front of me, Louisville will play 6 Sat. games, 4 Thurs. games and 2 Fri. games. Half their schedule is weekday games. Bizarre, but I get the whole midweek = exposure/money/recruits thing.
#79 by Chris on 08.29.07 12:04 pm |
I played linebacker and left tackle for my entire high school career and into college never wearing a cup and only paid for it once or twice on interception returns. Basically one hard block, one tackle, or one sprint and that cup is cutting into the side of your leg or in places far worse.
#80 by Anthony Verna on 08.29.07 12:06 pm |
Aren’t there better cup designs out there so this doesn’t happen?
#81 by B.G. on 08.29.07 12:06 pm |
My husband and I taught martial arts for ten years. Before any student was allowed into the sparring ring, we did the cup check with this. They learned real quick to answer honestly. My husband said the hardest he was ever hit in his “happy place” was by a 85 lb girl. He was wearing a cup and it still rocked his world. He said it was pretty hard to look like a macho sensei (wow, spanish and japanese in one sentence) with tears in his eyes!
#82 by BCrisp on 08.29.07 12:07 pm |
I started wearing a cup when I played soccer goalie because of a cleat to the groin. Now I wear those padded sliding shorts, and they provide some good protection for the boys.
#83 by Greg on 08.29.07 12:12 pm |
I know i could never wear a cup while playing football. It’s WAY too uncomfortable and restricting. I tried one back in like 6th grade when i started playing football and i ditched it after one day. I’m a soph in college now, still playing and i can say even with all the contact, i’ve never needed one. Yeah, you can take a shot there occasionally but it’s never like taking a fastball or line drive to the groin so most guys dont play with one.
#84 by Go Cyclones on 08.29.07 12:13 pm |
When I was about four or five years old, my oldest brother was playing Little League baseball and had to wear a cup (league checked, and he was a catcher). Being the naive girl that I was, I thought that they wore a cup so they wouldn’t have to leave to go pee during the game…since you know, they never left the field to go to the bathroom, I just figured they peed in the cup and that was that.
#85 by Stuby on 08.29.07 12:16 pm |
I love that reasoning. Wouldn’t it be great if that were the case!
#86 by B.G. on 08.29.07 12:17 pm |
Paul,
I also had a entry eaten. Can you post it? If not, I’ll try again later.
Thanks.
#87 by Trump1010 on 08.29.07 12:18 pm |
So anything that is based on the German flag is a trademark violation of that jersey? I don’t buy it…
#88 by gopherboy on 08.29.07 12:18 pm |
I Whole-heartedly disagree. I like noon starts. You get up to tailgate at 7am after being out all night, go to game or keep tailgating and listen to it on the radio, leave after the game is over, take nap (maybe), then party saturday night. Plus it’s tradition. GO Gophers.
#89 by howie on 08.29.07 12:21 pm |
I honestly never noticed any logo creep the first time I saw that photo! Bravo!
#90 by Marty Met on 08.29.07 12:22 pm |
Yes, but only if it is sold in New Zealand
#91 by Christopher on 08.29.07 12:23 pm |
Isn’t the Tony Stewart thing just a joke for their TV commercials? Does he actually wear those underarm patches during races?
#92 by Teebz on 08.29.07 12:24 pm |
They have those. They’re called “Pampers”.
Honestly, I am astounded by the amount of padding in diapers now a days compared to the old cloth diapers of yesteryear. I’m surprised that the NHL didn’t use them instead of the new Rbk hip protection system.
#93 by Jonathan on 08.29.07 12:24 pm |
See you are a Big Ten fan, while I live in the South and am SEC where our big game are always night games or later afternoon. So we agree to disagree
#94 by Greg V. on 08.29.07 12:29 pm |
This article was posted today at Bengals.com and confirms that Carson Palmer and John Thorton will wear the captain’s C patch on their jerseys.
http://www.bengals.c...
It looks like Paul’s source was right.
Between the green dots and the C, the Goodell era is being marred by uni clutter.