[JRutledge]

In my second year of umpiring and during the summer I was hospitalized for dehydration. I had worked several days of games in 90 degree heat with almost 100% humidly. I did not make much of an effort to drink water or Gatorade after each game or during the game. I did not feel like I wanted to drink anything during the games. I worked in some cases double headers behind the plate. I am not a huge sweater, so I was not concerned. I woke up one morning and I had very bad stomach pains. The pain was so bad that I could not walk downstairs to have a family member take me to the hospital. I was hospitalized for 2 or 3 days. I missed about a week of games for my pain. After that point I drink water or sports drinks on a regular basis. I was even told that the sports drinks were better for you than water as it related to hydration. I have not had a problem in 8 years.

Peace