The Umpire's Guide to Jordans

Typically when an MLB umpire trends on Twitter, it’s not good news. They made a bad call, they got hit in the face with a baseball, or they tossed the crowd-favorite player out of the game in crunch time. But last week, an umpire went viral for a different, more unexpected reason: his Jordans.

Longtime MLB umpire Hunter Wendelstedt received mass attention for wearing a pair of the Air Jordan 11 Jubilees while officiating a match-up between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies. In an interview with ESPN, Wendelstedt explained that after getting mocked for his shoe game by students at his umpire school, he asked younger umpires in the league to point him in the right direction. They advised him (correctly) to check out StockX, where he picked up the Jubilees and a newfound passion for sneakers. 

Hunter Wendelstedt isn’t alone. Ever since Nike became the official outfitter of the MLB, many umpires have ditched their dad shoes for the hottest Jordans on the market. Umpires are now becoming the focal point of on-field style – a remarkable development that nobody saw coming. Even the umpires have to be surprised.

With a sudden spotlight on their kicks, some umpires may feel overwhelmed as they start their sneaker journey. Beyond the typical rules of fashion, there are also professional rules that umps must follow. For one, the MLB only allows black and white sneakers. Moreover, umpires who work behind the plate must wear steel-toed shoes, which means that most Jordans (including our recommendations here) are only allowed for umps who man first, second, or third base. But not to worry, we’re here to help. We put together a list of some of the best Jordans on the market, guaranteed to hit a home run with fans without running afoul of league dress codes.

Here are the best Jordans for umpires.

Air Jordan 11 Jubilee

It’s clear that the Air Jordan 11 Jubilee is already a favorite among baseball fans. If you don’t mind making headlines and having a few posters in the stands acknowledging your shoe game, the Jubilees are a solid pick.

Air Jordan 9 Dark Charcoal University Gold

The Air Jordan 9 is meant for the baseball field. Michael Jordan wore them during his stint in the minor leagues and you can wear them while officiating any league.

Air Jordan 10 Drake OVO White

If you plan on officiating a Toronto Blue Jays game in the near future, the all-white, dress-code-compliant Air Jordan 10 Drake OVO White is the Jordan for you. Fans will absolutely lose it when they see you showing love to the 6 God, or as Billboard would say, the Artist of the Decade. Just be careful that you don’t let that fandom influence your calls. 

Air Jordan 4 Loyalty

Just because you have to wear either all-black or all-white shoes doesn’t mean there isn’t room to stand out. The metallic gold eyelets on the Air Jordan 4 Loyalty add some pop to any look, all while abiding the dress code rules.

Jordan 1 Black Metallic Gold

You can’t beat a fresh pair of Jordan 1s. The black patent leather upper of the Air Jordan 1 Black Metallic Gold brings another level of class on and off the field. You can wear them on the field, and then just keep wearing them to the post-game party.

Jordan 11 Low Golf White

While these Jordans are technically for golfing, the spiked soles of the Jordan 11 Low Golf White will help you grip the turf no matter what play comes your way. Jordan Golf shoes are hugely popular this year, and these 11s are a guaranteed (ahem) hit.

If you are still looking for that perfect pair, you can shop for more Jordans here.