I’ve previously included several mentions of the Yeshiva University Lady Macs, many members of which follow Orthodox Jewish modesty laws by wearing skirts on the basketball court. But Jim Haslam recently brought my attention to a high school team that’s taken this concept a bit further.
The school in question is Beth Chana Academy, a private Orthodox school in Orange, Connecticut. Not only do they wear skirts (sometimes floor-length, sometimes knee-length with leggings or pants), but the team is actually called the Skirts — an admirably literal uni-based nickname that’s more accurate than, say, White Sox. (It’s worth noting that skirt is also old-school slang for “woman,” in the same league as broad or twist or tomato, but I suspect the Beth Chana folks didn’t think about that when choosing the name.)
Interestingly, one of the Skirts has jazzed up her look with striped socks. She looks like she knows how to handle the ball and even has more star presence than the other gals when walking off the court. Further evidence (as if any were needed) that striped hosiery correlates with — and maybe even confers — athletic excellence.
Additional info about the Skirts, including an audio report, is available here.
Party Reminder: Remember, Groundhog Day Uni Watch party tomorrow at Sheep Station, at 4:30 p.m.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Reprinted from yesterday’s comments: Here’s Ken Harrelson’s “Hawk” NOB. … Northwestern-area baseball photo specialist Dave Esenazi sent along a great old team portrait. Check out the modified skull and crossbones chest patch! … Vince reports that the dance team for the new Cleveland Gladiators arena franchise was introduced the other day wearing “Kosar”-NOB’d jerseys (Bernie is the team’s prexy). … The Chiefs’ memorial patch for Lamar Hunt is being made a permanent fixture on the team’s jerseys. Among other things, this means the AFL logo, which is part of the patch design, will live on — cool. … Remember that amazing photo site I linked to yesterday? Turns out the photographer is also selling prints of those photos on eBay (with thanks to Jere Smith). … Skip ahead to the 3:30ish point of this video you’ll see Syracuse wearing navy uniforms against UNC in 1975 (good find by Sean Caruana). … Daniel Listoe reports that the 49ers are thinking about a uni overhaul for 2009. … Bit of a controversy involving Japanese swimming attire (courtesy of Jeremy Brahm). … Blake Meyer, who runs the excellent TwinsCards.com site, has a bit of a mystery on his hands involving a photo of Kirby Pucket wearing No. 32 (instead of his usual 34) and is hoping the Uni Watch readership can help come up with an explanation. For full details, look here.
#1 by Dane on 02.01.08 8:41 am |
When I read today’s Dilbert, my first thought was this site.
Nah, can’t be right. I hope to make it to Brooklyn tomorrow!
#2 by craig g on 02.01.08 8:41 am |
I remember the in the mid 90’s the 49ers were going to go with a helmet that replaced the interlocking SF with a “49ers” in it’s place. I saw the helmet on espn but they never did go with it. Good thing it looked really dorky.
#3 by Justin on 02.01.08 8:49 am |
Paul, I know swimming’s not a glamour sport, but you have profiled curling. You should do a piece on swimming “uniforms”. Its one of the few sports where the type of uniform worn does relate directly to performance. Striped socks aside of course.
#4 by Joey Guns on 02.01.08 8:50 am |
AOL Fanhouse has an article on the Schutt Ion 4D:
http://sports.aol.co...
#5 by Robert on 02.01.08 8:52 am |
The article on the Japanese swimming suit controversy lacked photos. Very disappointing, from an academic standpoint, of course.
#6 by Peter Wunsch on 02.01.08 8:53 am |
Paul: Yeshiva
Also, None of the young women wear the #18, the ultimate Jewish symbol of good luck.
#7 by Don on 02.01.08 8:55 am |
The Niners’ unis look great except for the shadowed numbers. Fix that and you’re golden, so to speak.
Ever since the Broncos’ tragic redesign, I shudder when I hear of an NFL team announcing a new uni design.
#8 by DWiz9 on 02.01.08 9:02 am |
I’m guessing that the Puckett photo is one of those spring training photos where they toss a player a jersey for a few pictures. Someone may have not cropped out the incorrect jersey number.
#9 by DWiz9 on 02.01.08 9:02 am |
I’m guessing that the Puckett photo is one of those spring training photos where they toss a player a jersey for a few pictures. Someone may have not cropped out the incorrect jersey number.
#10 by DWiz9 on 02.01.08 9:02 am |
I’m guessing that the Puckett photo is one of those spring training photos where they toss a player a jersey for a few pictures. Someone may have not cropped out the incorrect jersey number.
#11 by DWiz9 on 02.01.08 9:02 am |
I’m guessing that the Puckett photo is one of those spring training photos where they toss a player a jersey for a few pictures. Someone may have not cropped out the incorrect jersey number.
#12 by Jacob on 02.01.08 9:03 am |
OK (four times)
#13 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 9:04 am |
traveling!
#14 by Jeremy Brahm on 02.01.08 9:06 am |
Article in Japanese on the Swimsuits, with pictures
This is safe for work, no nudity.
#15 by Joe H on 02.01.08 9:06 am |
Agreed…look at the stadium in the background…not their home park so this has to be a manufactured photo shoot.
#16 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 9:09 am |
this is mizuno…he wears nike
/damn
#17 by WFY on 02.01.08 9:11 am |
Here, I’ll help with the 49ers redesign:
Dump the drop-shadow and black, but keep the other current colors
keep the numbers where they are now on the shoulders since there aren’t sleeves anymore
bring back the old oval for the helmet, take off the sleeves
bring back the old pants stripe
#18 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 9:13 am |
are all the swimmers on the japanese team actually women?
(look at the one on the far left) :O
another view middle left
#19 by Richard from MA on 02.01.08 9:14 am |
New Renault driver’s suits are out.
No full-body stripes; in fact, they kinda remind me of this, especially Alonso.
#20 by Shaftman on 02.01.08 9:15 am |
What do you mean…most new designs are awesome. [/sarcasm]
#21 by Zippercat on 02.01.08 9:19 am |
OK, they can use the suits….as long as the Japanese women swim with bags over their heads!!
#22 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 9:25 am |
tiger in dubai
…he got ‘the look’ again…although it’s not so bad when he’s not wearing the sleeveless sweater
#23 by Jeremy Brahm on 02.01.08 9:25 am |
The unveiling of the swimsuits was for both the men and women.
#24 by Bret the Jet on 02.01.08 9:26 am |
Home Run Derby has pictures of pitcher Mark Buehrle wearing the Camouflage jersey the White Sox will be wearing on July 4th … as discussed in length this past Monday.
#25 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 9:30 am |
phew…i thought i spotted both franks and beans…and i can’t read japanese
#26 by Philly William on 02.01.08 9:32 am |
Holy Pink!
#27 by Stuby on 02.01.08 9:36 am |
Getting players’ input on a uni redesign? Might as well just make it a ‘Project Runway’ challenge. They would be equally hideous.
#28 by Frank on 02.01.08 9:37 am |
I think the 49ers already have the league’s best looking uniforms (and I’m not a Niners fan). Why in the heck would they want to change them? Why all the backlash against the drop shadow numbers?
It’s a sad day when we have to critique the classy Niners unis, while the eyesores in Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Carolina get a free pass.
#29 by KT on 02.01.08 9:37 am |
The way the 49ers should look.
The way the 49ers should look.
The way the 49ers should look.
The way the 49ers should look.
#30 by diz on 02.01.08 9:40 am |
Wonder if they’re intentionally keeping 29 for Far-Eastern born players only…
#31 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.01.08 9:43 am |
Looks the same as last year, with the exception of a wider torso stripe (probably hoping Alonso will bring in a big sponsor to put on it).
#32 by Tony Miller on 02.01.08 9:43 am |
Is #18 even legal in college? I thought you could only have 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as the digits.
#33 by Stuby on 02.01.08 9:44 am |
The Niners did use thinner sleeve stripes in the early 90s, but they would need to rethink the thickness of those pants stripes. BTW, I think Steve Young had just suffered his league leading 107th concussion in that pic.
#34 by todd krevanchi on 02.01.08 9:47 am |
early in the season this helmet/facemask (and other facemask variations to fit the helmet) came under so much scrutiny and critique on this board.
i gotta be honest in saying ive liked it from day 1. i think it looks sharp, looks revolutionary (separate from any revolutionary safety measures it brings), and reminds us that as time changes, so does the look of technology.
the egop facemask seen here on one of the liberty hurricane football players
http://www.schuttspo...
looks awesome.
#35 by Rich on 02.01.08 9:49 am |
I liked the Skirts/socks pic, but why does #2 look so pissed off?
#36 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.01.08 9:55 am |
Any Canadians get something called ASN?
#37 by James on 02.01.08 9:56 am |
well, at least none of the Skirts are going to get the ball dribbled through their legs.
#38 by Robert on 02.01.08 9:58 am |
The pants on those ’80s 49ers uniforms were way too wide. I thought so at the time and I still think so now. I cheered when they corrected them years later. The rest of that old look is great, but please, no more wide pants stripes.
#39 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.01.08 10:00 am |
Umbro shareholders approved the Nike takeover yesterday.
#40 by Richard from MA on 02.01.08 10:00 am |
From #35:
I liked the Skirts/socks pic, but why does #2 look so pissed off?
Probably because she’s a 15-year-old girl.
#41 by Robert on 02.01.08 10:01 am |
Stripes were too wide, not the pants were too wide. I’m an idiot.
#42 by Sean on 02.01.08 10:03 am |
This = This
#43 by todd krevanchi on 02.01.08 10:06 am |
beth chana appears to be playing a school that is predominantly black (at least in all the pictures it is). i dont get it that the school is called amistad… wasnt amistad a slave ship? why would a school do such a thing?
#44 by Carl G on 02.01.08 10:07 am |
I am an attorney, but not an intellectual property attorney. I wonder whether the purveyor of the baseball photo page has the right to sell these pictures on ebay. Did he actually take the pictures? I cannot tell from his web site. Even if he did, does he have permission from the athletes to sell their likenesses?
Just throwing out a little uniwatch law question on a dreary Friday morning in New Jersey.
#45 by Al on 02.01.08 10:09 am |
They can’t
What he said.
#46 by Matt Lesser on 02.01.08 10:15 am |
Paul -
Yeshiva is spelled wrong.
#47 by dm00n [Doug] on 02.01.08 10:15 am |
I think he took them, and I am sure he can sell them.
#48 by AJ Connelly on 02.01.08 10:16 am |
1 million percent off topic, but did we ever get a definite answer on the question of if (and why) DeSean Jackson of Cal wore 2 jerseys? I think I’ve got a little precedent here, I was browsing Getty for images of Ryan Leaf (don’t ask) and found this pic of him during his brief yet memorable stint with the Cowboys. At first glance he lookes to be wearing 2 jerseys, but it’s one full length jersey with a very dramatic hem lift in it, you can see the double layer extra wide hem very clearly.
http://cache.gettyim...
#49 by BrianC on 02.01.08 10:28 am |
Or ANY sport, for that matter. They’re all designed by marketing committees who’ve probably never even been to a game.
#50 by Hank on 02.01.08 10:29 am |
Or she has to sit next to #1 Striped Socks and listen to her endless chatter. ;)
#51 by John on 02.01.08 10:29 am |
I’ve never for the life of me been able to understand why the Chicago White Sox would wear black socks, considering the whole “Black Sox” thing. Especially with all you hear about baseball players and their wacky superstitions, it seems to me avoiding black socks would have become a “superstitious tradition” if you will. I think that would be kinda cool, to just steadfastly refuse to ever wear black socks.
And I’m kind of a traditionalist, so while I’m at it, wouldn’t it also be cool for the White Sox and Red Sox to always wear those respective colored socks, as their names imply, for every single game?
#52 by lwiedy on 02.01.08 10:37 am |
When I went to the Ebay sale page linked in Paul’s blog, one of the lots for sale was this photo of KC’s Al Cowens. Notice the facemask attached to the helmet. It was for a broken jaw he received from a pitch by Texas pitcher Ed Farmer in a game from May of 1979. Farmer broke Frank White’s hand with a pitch in the same game. One year later, as a member of the Detroit Tigers, Cowens, after grounding out against Farmer, made a beeline for the mound and attacked Farmer.
This caused quite a stir because at first look, it appeared that Cowens had gone berserk and randomly attacked another player. There was actually a warrant issued for his arrest on assault charges.
I always thought it was interesting that this guy obviously was holding this immense grudge for over a year and snapped when it seemed leased likely, especially since he was regarded as a very mild mannered guy.
Al died in 2002 of a heart attack.
#53 by Stuby on 02.01.08 10:48 am |
I’m confused. There is clearly a player wearing #18 in the pictures.
#54 by Nick on 02.01.08 10:49 am |
DITTO
DITTO
DITTO
DITTO !!!
#55 by Judd on 02.01.08 10:50 am |
The Amistad ship is based here in New Haven, and there is a magnet school with that name.
#56 by Nick on 02.01.08 10:50 am |
ALSO A DITTO !!!
#57 by Justin on 02.01.08 10:51 am |
I believe those pictures includes both men and women. In the first the person in the middle right is showing obvious characteristics of being male. Modern suits actually channel water away from the suit and are more hydrodynamic than the human body, even if shaved. So many men wear full body suits or at least suits that cover the legs and chest.
#58 by Kenny on 02.01.08 11:00 am |
This = This
#59 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 11:05 am |
thanks…already answered in posts #23 and #25
#60 by Jen in Chicago on 02.01.08 11:07 am |
Hey - at the start of the Syracuse/UNC game - the Executive Producer is listed as Eddie Einhorn. Any chance it’s the same Eddie Einhorn that is a part owner of the Chicago Bulls/White Sox? I think it’s a very good chance….anyone?
#61 by Dane on 02.01.08 11:09 am |
This is not a college team. I think it’s middle school level, where numbering rules probably aren’t as strict.
#62 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 11:16 am |
so…when those yeshiva ladies scrimmage each other…is it the skirts against the shins
/thanks, i’ll be here all week
#63 by Sean on 02.01.08 11:17 am |
Yes, in fact he founded TVS at the time when college basketball was of little use to the major networks. Einhorn would have a stake in TVS until 1980, when CBS hired him to head their sports division.
#64 by Philly Bill on 02.01.08 11:19 am |
Actually This = This + This
#65 by KT on 02.01.08 11:23 am |
Also helped convince the USFL that a move to the fall would be GREAT for their TV prospects.
Admittedly, he was telling them what they wanted to hear anyway, but Eddie missed pretty badly on that one.
#66 by Ray on 02.01.08 11:26 am |
Not a Niners fan here either, but that old 80’s Montana era look was great with the exception of that extremely wide set of stripes down the leg. Thin those out and it would look pretty good.
Looks like they had the throwbacks in full effect at some point earlier this year and did a great job with them:
Here’s Trent Dilfer sporting the throwback look
I know the “newer” version of their uniforms have that ugly drop shadow and red and black helmet striping Which look like absolute shit in my opinion.
Why do they keep screwing with things so much? They are an iconic franchise similar to the Yankees and should stick with their traditional uniforms in my opinion.
I mean my stupid team can’t get it right to save their lives (I’m a Chargers fan). For the past 12 years, the fan base in San Diego and abroad have applauded the old school powder blue uniforms. But even with a redesign, of their uniforms, they manage to put a “twist” on their new uniforms that debuted in 2007.
Why does nobody “GET IT”???
#67 by seven on 02.01.08 11:26 am |
Great uni blooper clip as Donyell Marshall takes off his warm-up & tries to enter the game wearing only an undershirt
#68 by John T on 02.01.08 11:31 am |
For all of the hoisery lovers, interesting ad on the top of this page http://www.munsterru...
Roll over ad to see full version, when you roll over socks, it identifies the teams
(Wonder if Paul is now moonlighting as an ad designer along with his various other projects?)
#69 by ryan c #40 on 02.01.08 11:35 am |
the egop facemask seen here on one of the liberty hurricane football players
http://www.schuttspo...
looks awesome.
hmmm… carolina hurricanes logo on a football helmet… interesting…
#70 by Mike Miller on 02.01.08 11:37 am |
It’s hard to tell if Tiger is wearing a long sleeve shirt under his polo or wearing these.
Nike compression sleeves
They give you some of the benefit of a long sleeve shirt and can be taken off easily if it warms up.
#71 by Mark in Shiga on 02.01.08 11:39 am |
What’s so special about the number 18? Is 15 not the number that looks like an abbreviation for YHWH? I don’t speak Hebrew but love number-related trivia like that. Supposedly they write “9+6″ in Hebrew numerals (instead of “15″) on calendars to avoid the name of Adonai.
#72 by Marty Met on 02.01.08 11:41 am |
Doesn’t need each players permission just the union’s.
#73 by emd2k3 on 02.01.08 11:41 am |
I’m a little disappointed in you Paul.
What, no sleeve-matching Northwestern stripes on the G-Men’s road unis?
#74 by Dan King on 02.01.08 11:42 am |
on the actual amistad the slaves revolted against the sailors and took over the ship. so not as bad as just a slave ship.
#75 by Shaftman on 02.01.08 11:48 am |
Extra!!! Extra!!! Read all about it.
#76 by Jet on 02.01.08 11:48 am |
LOL! The one-liner of the week!
-Jet
#77 by Al Gruwell on 02.01.08 11:48 am |
Man, those baseball pics were awesome. Re: the Johnny Bench photo, that is as high as I ever recall seeing Reds’ stirrups.
#78 by emd2k3 on 02.01.08 11:49 am |
I briefly had to wear a facemasked-batting helmet in my Senior Division (post-Little League) days after a baseball to the mouth (a game of rundown, no less) broke some of my teeth. I even had to wear it in the field. Ugh.
Fortunately, there are no pictures.
#79 by Patrick on 02.01.08 11:50 am |
Now that looks really, really good!
#80 by Mark in Shiga on 02.01.08 11:51 am |
Well, you learn something new every day!
(But now I want to know if that team has a 15, since 15 is a legal number in college/HS; you wouldn’t be surprised not to see an 18 since that number, as others have mentioned, wouldn’t ordinarily be given out anyway.)
#81 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 11:58 am |
he’s got the full compression mock turtleneck underneath…which he sported all last week at the buick too…
i don’t mind that he wears it, i just don’t think he should be wearing a LONG-sleeved shirt with it (and there are plenty of long-sleeved TW shirts in the nike line)
he IS sporting sweet shades tho, so it’s ok
#82 by Jared on 02.01.08 12:00 pm |
I know that I am a little late (the memorial column was over 2 weeks ago) but I was wondering if anyone knew of a place other than ebay to purchase the “Vuk” patch the Phillies wore last season. Thanks for your help.
#83 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 12:02 pm |
*make that “wearing a SHORT sleeved” shirt
#84 by Mets Fan AZ on 02.01.08 12:03 pm |
The only time i’ve seen him in sunglasses is at the Dubai tourney, maybe it’s part of the swag they give him for coming out.
#85 by Brad on 02.01.08 12:04 pm |
Syracuse last wore blue jerseys full time in basketball in the 1974-75 season, wearing blue vs. UNC in the East Regional semi-finals, and again in the Final Four versus Kentucky and Louisville (3rd place game). They next wore blue in Feb. 1988 at Kentucky which has been documented on Uni Watch previously. They do have a blue alternate version of the current uniform style, but unless the players convince Jim Boeheim to let them wear the alt. uniform, it’s unlikely to happen. He does not like the blue look.
#86 by Kyle at IU on 02.01.08 12:05 pm |
congrats to Alex Ovechkin on his four-goal showing against Les Habitants. Congrats to the guy in the background of this pic for failing at buying the correct jersey. If you’re going to buy a red jersey/sweater that says “Ovechkin” on it, just get the same one that Ovechkin is wearing.
#87 by KT on 02.01.08 12:07 pm |
My problems with the current 49ers’ uniforms:
*The color is off. Instead of the very cool 49ers Scarlet, we have Boone’s Farm Strawberry with blood, or something.
*TV numbers are too large and garish and on the shoulders instead of on the sleeves where they (IMHO) look less egregious.
*The whole 49er logo inside the sleeve stripes and on the pants thing is overkill.
*Likewise with the black outlines on the numbers. Thinner would be fine if you don’t get rid of them altogether.
If you want to narrow the pants stripe, fine and dandy with me. Or go late 70’s Redskins and have just two stripes, a scarlet and a white and be done with it.
Of course, that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. Now get off my lawn.
#88 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 12:12 pm |
spike lee was at the game?
#89 by DenverGregg on 02.01.08 12:12 pm |
Agreed that Atlanta, Cincinnati and Jacksonvillage unis are horrid - also Buffalo, Phoenix, Miami and the Vikings.
SF isn’t as bad as those, but would do well to ditch the black from its unis. Their 80s look was iconic. Sad that sleeves have vanished as that look can never really come back.
The Panthers’ unis don’t belong in the bottom of the barrel with these others.
#90 by Mike on 02.01.08 12:15 pm |
Here’s another sleeved basketball uni, the 1954 University of Alaska Fairbanks.
#91 by Marc M. on 02.01.08 12:22 pm |
You can place a prop bet on which jersey number scores the first TD in the Super Bowl If the link doesnt work, its on Bloomberg.com
#92 by KT on 02.01.08 12:25 pm |
What the hell jersey is that? And how do you know it has “Ovechkin” on it at all?
#93 by todd krevanchi on 02.01.08 12:27 pm |
does anyone know if there is an online pdf of standard prop bets for sunday? (first play, first score, first commercial, coin toss, etc.) i need one for my party.
#94 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 12:29 pm |
all star sweater
and why is this so egregious?
#95 by LI Phil on 02.01.08 12:33 pm |
todd…are you really looking to place a prop bet on “first commercial”?
you may need to answer some questions
;)
#96 by johnt on 02.01.08 12:34 pm |
sorry, ad was a revolving one try this
http://www.flickr.co...
#97 by seven on 02.01.08 12:37 pm |
I emailed Paul about this last night. It’s on one of the main Canadian networks. I don’t have a digital recorder, but I’m sure somebody will record it. There’s a preview online now & the whole report will probably be available online later. This program is syndicated throughout the world so it is probably available somewhere in the States as well.
#98 by ScottyJ in WV on 02.01.08 12:37 pm |
Here you go Todd….
#99 by Mets/Jets Fan in Chicagoland on 02.01.08 12:38 pm |
2 to 1 he doesn’t bite on that ;-)
#100 by ScottyJ in WV on 02.01.08 12:39 pm |
2nd try……
Prop bets
#101 by KT on 02.01.08 12:46 pm |
That’s what I’m wondering. I would think that if you went to the trouble to buy an Ovechkin All-Star jersey, it would be completely acceptable to wear said jersey to a Caps game. Why you’d have to have the same jersey he has on is beyond me.
(See how the one the fan is wearing is cut, though? At first I thought it was a basketball jersey the way it was hanging, and that he had a similarly-colored long-sleeve shirt on under it or something.)
#102 by The Ol Goaler on 02.01.08 12:47 pm |
For what it’s worth, some youth leagues now require facemasks on batting helmets, as a further safety measure. Good idea, IMO, even if it’s not very aesthetic… who wants to get hit in the yap with a baseball, anyway?
Batting-helmet facemasks are akin to the full-face shields required in NCAA hockey. “Major Junior” hockey only requires visors for those 18 and over… When Sidney Crosby played for Canada as a 17-year-old in the World Junior Championships, he wore a full-face shield as well.
#103 by David on 02.01.08 12:48 pm |
re: Giants road unis - i was curious what they looked like before the switch (in 2004 or 2005, i believe) and found a pic of tiki wearing a white jersey with red numbers in blue trim. so there was continuity before the giants decided to go old school again.
#104 by SG on 02.01.08 12:48 pm |
No- you are mixing up the 2 teams. Yeshiva is a college team, so they do have strict numbering rules. The Beth Chana team is high school.
#105 by Carl G on 02.01.08 12:50 pm |
Many of the player’s are retired though, so i do not think