Review of Majestic MLB Umpire Shirt

You know that proverb: "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?" Well, as a gear junky I had been coveting a Majestic MLB Umpire Shirt for some time. You know, "Wear what the pros wear."

I obtained a Majestic MLB polo blue shirt in April and I have tested it over about a 100 days period. It has seen extreme conditions: 100 degree heat, extreme sun, wind, rain, heavy sweat. . . you know, the usual. It has been worn probably 30-40 days (sometimes up to 8 hours at a time).

At the time of this article I only know of one retailer that sells the Majestic MLB Umpire Shirt: Ump-Attire.com. The folks at Ump-Attire are first-rate and offer lightning fast delivery, fair prices, and owner Jim Kirk really does care about the customer's needs and opinion. The Majestic is offered for $34.95 plus shipping. That puts the Majestic at the extreme high end of the umpire shirt market. Compare that price to the top three shirts in my Spring 2009 shirt review:

#1 - Ultimate Umpire Shirt by Ump-Attire, $32.95
#2 - Smitty Pro Knit Mesh Umpire Shirts, $22.95
#3 - Signature Series Umpire Shirts by Gerry Davis, $25.90

The Majestic looks great right out of the box. It is a closed hole polyester mesh design with a cotton collar. It fits well, breathes as well as any closed-hole mesh shirt, and accomodates my Wilson Platinum protector easily.

During the ball season I am what would best be described as a "working umpire." My day job offers a lot of flexibility, so I am able to work late afternoon weekday games and, of course, evenings and weekends. Consequently, I do laundry in the evening for a quick turn-around for the next day's games. Laundry is done the same way every time - cold water, permanent press cycle, and permanent press dryer on medium heat.

Unfortunately, the Majestic MLB Umpire Shirt requires line drying. The effect of drying this shirt in my dryer has been a pilling, wear and fading of the Majestic collar. No other shirt I own has had this problem (or required line drying). Below are pictures of the Ultimate Umpire Shirt (which has seen about the same number of games and laundry cycles as the Majestic), and an old Honig's (that has been worn in easily three times the number of games and laundry cycles). As you can see, little or no pilling, wear or fading.

In summary, I am disappointed with the Majestic. The shirt is no better than any other closed hole mesh umpire shirt, and requires special care. The MLB guys can keep this one. My side of the fence has better shirts.