By Phil Hecken
Today we’ll be taking a look at the ninth set of uniform submissions for the Lewis & Clark Design-a-Uniform Contest, for the team known as the “Travelers.” If you’re not familiar with the contest, please give that a read. The contest’s creator, W. Ross Clites will be asking readers to design uniforms for all of the teams in the Lewis & Clark League, and thus far we’ve asked for submissions for a total of eleven teams. We’ve looked at the “Captains,” “Diplomats,” “Explorers,” “Governors,” “Lookouts,” “Navigators,” “Pathfinders,” and “Pioneers,” and today, we’ll see the concepts for the “Travelers.”
Two other teams have been put to readers for concepts, the Voyagers and the RiverMen. If you’d like to submit your concept for either team, the deadline for submissions for the Voyagers is Wednesday, April 30 and the deadline for submissions for the Rivermen is Wednesday, May 7. Tomorrow, Ross will have a short write-up for the twelfth team, so make sure you check back then!
At this point I’ll turn it over to Ross, who will go over the guidelines for voting, and then I’ll be back with some final words before we take a look at the entries from our contestants. Here’s Ross (these guidelines will likely accompany each set of voting):
Alright boys and girls, here is how the voting is going to go for each Lewis & Clark Baseball League team:
1. The hierarchy of importance goes primary logo, then uniform design, and then all rest (i.e. hat design, secondary logos, etc.) Cast a vote for the design with your favorite primary logo, first and foremost. Do not fault someone for going outside the design guidelines. Changing a wordmark or adding a third color is not a disqualifier for good thought process.
2. Your votes will take the field of applicants down to a final two per team.
3. We, the LCBL Executive Board will make the final decision on the winning proposal. However — and this is big — design is never complete and collaboration is paramount to success. We will likely settle on a combination of the final two submissions. We might love the logo of one, but prefer the jersey scheme of the other. In this, you will both be winners with full prizes to ensue. The possibility does exist for a total victory, of sorts. One designer could present the best looking jersey, logo, hat, and all the rest. Do not get offended when your submission gets handed back to you with redlined edits. We hate to hand out homework to the winning look, but tweaks may be requested. It is a studio project and not a math equation; the “right” answer takes some massaging of details.
4. With permission from both finalists, our graphics department will meld the two submissions together (if necessary) and place it in our common platform. This is done as a common denominator showcase for all twelve to look uniform when the contest has reached its end.
5. Someone, not even in the top two, could see an element (such as an awesome secondary logo) appear in the final iteration. We would never select the winner based solely on a minor design element, but we will also not let it go to waste. In this, all submissions could be part of a bigger design team. This contest — and frankly this site — was created to identify the best possible combinations of logos and materials in the sports world. This rarely comes from one person’s mind; we will reward any of those that play a part in making our on-field product the best it can be.
Thanks, Ross. A few words about the submissions below:
Some of the contestants sent one single image, others sent multiple images. Some contestants sent descriptions (in some cases, very lengthy ones), others had little or no description. In an effort to make the voting as fair as possible, I have put those who sent multiple images into one single image, and no descriptions of the uniforms will follow. If you’d like to see all the entries for the Navigators and their write-ups/descriptions, I have hosted the entire set on Flickr. Keeping in mind Ross’ rules for voting, you may use these as an additional guide in determining which submission(s) you think are the best.
The submissions will be in alphabetical order and voting will follow. You may vote for any three of the concepts below. You may click on any image to enlarge. OK? OK. Here we go:
Matt Blinco:
Timothy Fesmire:
Ryan Foose:
Brady Ivie:
Kevin McLaughlin:
Curtis Peddle:
Bryan Phillips:
Kyle Piercy:
Will Sinnott:
OK, readers. That’s quite an impressive set of contributions! Now it’s time for you to vote. You’ll be allowed to vote for up to THREE (3) submissions. You may wish to scroll up for one more viewing, and write down your favorites.
And now it’s your turn! Make sure to vote for your favorites and let all of the concepters know what you think of their designs. They all put a great deal of effort into this, so tell them how they did (and lobby for your favorites, if you wish).
Thanks to all the submitters ”” we’ll be back next weekend at which time Ross will reveal the winner(s) and how they will adapt the design for the Lewis & Clark league!
Four + Forty Years Ago…
…He come into this life
From all of us at Uni Watch, a Big Fat Happy 44th Birthday to Comrade Robert Marshall!
Uni Watch News Ticker:
Baseball News: A question comes from David Long, who says, “Saw this on YouTube via Gawker. What’s up with the collar and cuff stripe colors on that jacket?” … “I had my buddy Matt Cliff send in a Nolan Ryan cake he did a few months ago, which made it into the ticker,” says Aaron Roggensack. His latest display of talent, has a sports element to it as well: The Black Angels stylized in 70’s baseball card style, for the upcoming Psych Fest in Austin. (Higher quality version can be seen here by clicking to expand). … Following up on yesterday’s ticker entry, here’s a closer look at Lee Byung-kyu’s batting helmet with all the crap written on it. … Pink, pink and more pink Beavers for their Senior Day (new unis too), with a h/t to @Beavers_EQ. … NJ.com is allowing readers to vote on “Who has the best high school baseball cap in the state?” (nice find by Ryan Esdale). … Good article and pics on Spain Park High School baseball uniforms. Submitter Nolan Jones adds, “Some I like, some I don’t like but LOVE the all powder blue.” … “It’s Official, Sharla McBride wins RailRiders Bobblehead Contest,” (from Art S.). … Mansfield University (PA, Division II PSAC) is donning League of Their Own style throwback unis (thanks to John Maslar). … “I cover baseball for FM91 Sports – which is Freed-Hardeman University (NAIA),” writes Dustin Semore. “(Yester)day we (we)re playing Missouri Baptist, and being a Mississippi State alum, I noticed a striking similarity between State’s baseball logo and MBU’s baseball logo. What do you think?” … Baseball inspired “fashion” is on deck for spring, according to this article from the Wall Street Journal. … Here’s a look at the American League All Star Game BP jerseys (thanks to Tyler Mason). … What if all baseball players were fat? (thanks, Paul). … A squabble over uniforms has turned two Long Island septuagenarians into Grumpy Old Men, among other things. Sigh. Long Island isn’t exactly known for happy news, is it? … McNeese State broke out some nice gold tops yesterday (via Chris Mycoskie). … This past week, the Yankees had the same uni number worn by 3 different players (looks like the Texases had FOUR in one week earlier this year). Thanks to Eric Garment for pointing that out. … BJ Upton got glasses (some would say, “what took so long?”), and here he is wearing them during last night’s BP (h/t Jonathan Binet). And here he is in game. … Here’s the actual hero cops and firefighters unis the IronPigs and PawSox wore last night (previously we’d only seen the mocks). H/t to Harrison Tishler for the shot. … The AL West is the only division in baseball where no team features and “interlocking” logo. When arranged “properly,” they also spell out AsSHAT (via Alex Munix). … Yesterday, in 1976, one of the more surreal scenes in MLB took place at Dodger Stadium. … A reader who goes by Cashrussellmarinersfanforlife was at the Mariners game last night and noticed the White Sox flag was upside down. … Clayton Kershaw made a rehab start for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes last night, and Nick Schiavo liked the Quakes’ number font. … “I am not sure if you have seen these hats before or not,” writes Adam Ronquillo of the Santa Fe Fuego (of the Pecos League), “but I think this team has a pretty awesome look overall (just not the fire hats).” … Troy Fowler got this screen grab of Hunter Pence with a gray under brim. Not sure if he wears that in game, but I’m pretty sure gray underbills are worn during ST shoots.
NFL News: During Sunday’s Soul game on ESPN2, the teams will use the new SchuttVision Helmet, equipped with SVI video technology to offer fans a first-person look at the action. Says submitter Rob Bubeck, “Personally I find point of view cameras on people’s heads a little disorienting but it could be interesting.” … Scott Moody was watching a special on NFL Network and saw this clip of Tony Dorsett. “Look at how crappy that looked,” says Scott.
College Football News: Those new helmets (some of which are actually just reconditioned & repainted) that schools keep trotting out are not cheap — Baylor’s gold helmets, for example, cost $65,000 — so the schools offset the costs in various ways. … Here’s a look a the new 75th Anniversary logo for Jordan-Hare Stadium (thanks to Clint Richardson). … The South Dakota State Jackrabbits now have the new Riddell SpeedFlex helmet (h/t Jacks Equipment).
Basketball News: It’s not Super Bowl or NCAA Tourney Time, so there aren’t many soda can logo/team displays these days, but check out the soda display posted by the Portland Trail Blazers Facebook account (it says “Rip City”). Thanks to Jason Franklin for the spot. … Perhaps not coincidentally, the Blazers wore their Rip City jerseys last night (screen grab by Ian Borkowski. … Check out this great photo of the Chester High 1953 State Champs (Class D- smallest in Nebraska). Submitter Greg Mays adds “Think those two guys hidden in back are wearing 88 and 55?” … When the Golden State Warriors move to San Fran, will they undergo a name change? … “I was watching Bad Boys on ESPN when I noticed this clip with a 76er who has a jersey with the name taped over,” says John Romero. “Looks like they took Albert King’s #17 jersey and taped it for Gerald Henderson’s #12. Wonder if there wasn’t a blood jersey?
Soccer News: Very good article from Bloomberg that highlights just how seriously Nike is taking the soccer shoe market, in their battle against adidas for soccer ‘supremacy.’ Telling quote: “These are the moments that Nike lives for.”
Grab Bag: “Not really uni related, but check out the logo one of the candidates campaigning for a spot in the Georgia Senate,” writes Joe Culverhouse. ” Interesting to see a GOP candidate inspiring that name recognition.” Here’s the full article. … Seton Hall has signed a deal with UA to become the exclusive footwear & apparel supplier across all sports, having dropped adidas. … Here’s a pretty cool look at the evolution of the Lego logo (from Lee Wilds). … St. John’s Lacrosse had some pretty interesting uniforms yesterday.
And that’s all for today, folks. Everyone enjoy your Saturday, and I’ll be back again tomorrow. Happy 44th Comrade!
Follow me on Twitter @PhilHecken
Peace.
“I don’t know why but the picture of Paul reminds me of an old Soviet propaganda poster. No, I’m not saying he’s a communist I guess its just the pose (or the hat).”
–Mainspark
I enjoyed the used of home plate, a perhaps-underused element, in McLaughlin’s design.
Offhand, I only know the Padres have it.
And it isn’t even SD’s primary logo any more.
That happened while I wasn’t looking. (Guess being in the northeast didn’t help me either.)
But boy, the new one seems a downgrade to me. At least the waves said “coastal surfing” and the home plate said “baseball”.
Who pays for all of Spain Park’s uniforms? Here in the outback of Western New York schools are lucky to get one set of uniforms every four or five years. After the varsity wears them the uniforms are handed down to the jayvees until the next varsity set is ordered four or five years later. In New York State the school district buys all teams’ uniforms.
It’s Alabama….we don’t who’s paying for it.
But none of the sets made me stop and look for a more than a second.
It’s almost like the more uniforms you have, the more they look the same.
Spain Park is one of the biggest and wealthiest schools in the state.
As I pointed out on Twitter yesterday, Mark McLemore played for all five teams currently in the AL West. So I guess that means he’s an “asshat”.
That seems like a pretty rare accomplishment. I wonder how many other players have managed to play for every team in a division in any of the major sports. Plenty of guys have played for 2 teams in the same division, but 4 or 5?
A place to start:
link
New logos for Northern Arizona University: link
Why are the Rangers the Texases but the Yankees are the Yankees? Because the Rangers wear their civic name, not their team nickname, on their home jerseys, while the Yankees proudly wear their team nickname at home? The Yankees do wear “Yankees” jerseys at home, not some lame reference to their civic name, like an interlocking NY or something, right?
Difference is thus: Yankees wear a logo at home, something Texases at least used to have an alternate for, but dont do. They don’t have “New York” spelled out on home jerseys. Texas is the Texasesprecisely because they wear the fully spelled out civic name in an identical way on both jerseys. It also alludes to the erosion of ‘Rangers’ and the emphasis about all things “Texas.” This just doesn’t apply to the Yankees, in part from the difference in home/road unis, but also because their identity as Yankees is very important as well. They would never just resort to “New York”-ing everything in a market where they aren’t they only New York team, even if NY is important to their visual identity.
Back in the late 1920s, the Yankees wore “Yankees” in arched block letters on their road grays.
Maybe I’m just used to the simple, block “New York”, but the “Yankees” wordmark just didn’t look right.
Before the Ruth era, the Yankees wore pinstripes and the interlocking NY on the front, similar to today, thereby scotching the myth that the Yankees started wearing pinstripes to make Babe Ruth look thinner.
The current Yankee home uniform design was first worn in 1936, Joe DiMaggio’s rookie season. Since then, the number font has changed a couple of times and the logo has gotten bigger.
Texas has had “Rangers” — in various styles — on front of both their home and road uniforms at one time or another since the franchise moved from Washington in 1972. IMO, “Texas,” however, is a much cleaner look.
Happy Birthday Comrade Marshall! And in keeping with the Revolution, check out the old-school stirrup usage-NFL style:
link
Curious…what happened to the flag that Rick Monday saved? Do the Dodgers have it? Is it in Cooperstown? Anybody know?
Can’t find any link but I recall an old This Week in Baseball feature in which Monday said the flag is hanging in his house.
Interesting that the helmet cam doesn’t stream anything… it just saves video to a chip. So, the chip has to be physically removed. I doubt we’ll see helmet cam during the game (or at least not during the first part of it). Probably used later for promo, etc.
Well done Foose on putting the little hobo stick through the provided “T” logo…
Agreed. And while I try to bias my votes in favor of those who use the provided scripts – I think the constraint generally makes for more interesting design – Matt Blinco’s T-horseshoe logo and custom script is too good not to vote for. Two of my favorite designs of the project so far.
Google “mustangs logo” and one of the first examples you see is featured in the Travelers contest.
I’m not sure if that should disqualify him or not. He did do quite a bit of cleanup on the logo – his version is better drawn and more detailed.
But it’s the third time people have noticed Brady using someone else’s design. Even if he improved it, it isn’t his.
He’s definitely got what you’d call a track record of unoriginality.
I guess I just don’t have a moral issue with taking someone else’s work, improving it, and calling it your own. I mean, look at the legendary Led Zeppelin. Plenty of their songs were essentially “stolen” from previous blues acts, but they’re still widely considered to be Led Zeppelin songs regardless, because the band added their own unique spin to them. I think you also have to consider the circumstances of this contest. If Nike or Adidas were rolling out a new logo for a team after a 2 year design process and it was obviously a redrawn version of google’d clip art, I’d call them out on it too, but a single person with 10 days or so to come up with a uniform and logo design? I’m willing to let it slide a bit.
*shrug*
So can I peruse your designs and touch one up to enter the next contest? You won’t mind, right?
Sure Jim, go right ahead. As long as you actually changed something and didn’t just delete my name from the image, I don’t have a problem with that at all.
Good to know. Won’t take you up on it, but anyone else…have at it.
Voted for Foose, Phillips and Piercy. I like Phillips’ secondary logo even better than his primary.
Led Zep got sued multiple times for appropriation and ended up paying and giving songwriting credits.
Originality is overrated. People are always trying to re-invent the wheel.
This is not “Travelling Riverside Blues”. It’s more like Michael Bolton’s version of “When a Man Loves a Woman”.
Yeah, my previous comment is supposed to be a reply to the Jeff’s led zeppelin analogy.
*grumble, grumble something mobile version something*
Happy Birthday, Mr Marshall!
Thirded!
Was in the NHL store this week talking to a network mgr and the islanders uniform came up . He was told that the three possible new owners looking at buying the Islanders had conversations with the commissioners office . Each possible group has already hired marketing firms and designers with the sole purpose of coming up with new uniform concepts logos and color schemes for islanders uniforms. Also each prospective new owner has already stated that they want to utilize the name Brooklyn Islanders name for maximum marketing economics and revenue and if a prospective new owner can be chosen the name change will immediately be brought up at the owners meetings as quick as possible so that change can take place in time for the Brooklyn move
ugh. the one thing that the islanders have going for the is the good uniform…
When WHEN WHEN will the NHL realize that attempting to use an NBA model for marketing is a losing proposition? Has nothing been learned from the Edge uniform “revolution” and subsequent flight back to tradition?
In reference to the Brooklyn Islanders discussion also keep in mind if the Brooklyn Nets make it to the NBA finals the name Brooklyn and the color scheme will increase in reference to marketing visual economic value
I think the Islanders would look awful in a Nets-similar “thuggish” motif.
What makes the motif “thuggish?”
The pink Beavers:
Gonna take a lot more than pink jerseys to get this softball program off its back. Some talent would be nice. As well as coaching.
Watched them play Oregon on Pac-12 network one night and OSU looked like it just suited up the first 20 or so women that showed up at the park with an ASB card. Dropped flies, booted grounders, fielders colliding like so many bumper cars, routine plays turned into circus acts and Oregon players making the base paths look like a carousel as the Beavers flung the ball around the yard like it was radioactive. OSU’s pitching made me want to drive to Corvallis and grab a bat, and I’m closer to 70 than I am to 50.
I had to turn it off when it got to 11-0. In the top of the first. With one out.
Besides, I don’t like horror movies.
But if pink jerseys get paying customers into the park, then go for it. Just don’t make it “Guaranteed Win Night” or OSU will be handing out free tickets until the Apocalypse.
Don’t give it a thought. Paul’s not a Communist. He’s just a precious little hipster.
I’m pretty sure he prefers the words “asshole socialist.” Just ask any of our trolls.
OK…Don’t give it a thought. Paul’s not an asshole socialist. He’s just a precious little hipster.
Better, no?
thanks phil! just got back from new glarus brewery up in sconnie, good times.
I found it interesting that Span Park has uniforms from two different uniform makers (Wilson & Nike) I wonder if they ever mix and match, and wear both makers emblems at once.