[jumpmaster]

For those of us that don't work upper level ball, i.e. collegiate or minor league, this is a real issue.

Even in the AAA Legion games I have called (the highest level I work) hydration is an issue and not every team has a water jug. I have been to MANY parks this year where there was no water to be found.

In the interest of keeping my stuff out of the field, I could put my water bottle 120 feet down from home plate, outside the fence, but I am just too lazy to run that far between innings to get half-a-swig of water. I sweat more running than I do get drinking.

I carry a small water bottle and place it on the 1B side where the backstop makes an angle and begins running parallel to the 1B line. I am willing to take the risk that a ball will come off my bottle oddly, no different than off the fence post. I believe the risk is justified.