MLB Ump:

Now that the season has been over, its something I always wonder every offseason: "Is there a better way to clean my gear for the off-season?" Do you guys have any tricks during the year and when the year is over to clean you gear? I have been just using simple household soap and water to clean everything. Some have said a baking soda/warm water mix work quite well. Any tips?

Thanks!

Normally our equipment doesn't need as much cleaning as it did when we were in the minors or as much as amateur umpires may need. This is because, to be honest with you, we have clubbies who take care of us after each of our games. Along with our uniforms, they tidy up our gear as well.

I cleaned my gear more than ever before when I was in the minor leagues and before that when I was an amateur umpire. Many a dusty, messy field I was on, which isn't the case now, of course. Two words for you that will work wonders on your equipment: Scrubbing Bubbles.

I learned this while in the minors from one of my peers. Go pick up a can of Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner. It works great on stuff, including your shoes. Now, if something is caked with mud, you're going to want to at least get the caked mud off first, of course, but when you spray something with Scrubbing Bubbles, cover it in white and wait for the bubbles to go to work. When they're finished, give it a wipe and you'll notice how clean your item is.