[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I know that some umpires think water bottles on the field look unsightly, but Garth, what do you want us to do, go all the way outside the ballpark to get a drink? Go in the dugout with possibly angry players and coaches? My semi-frozen 32 oz. Gatorade bottle sits over by the fence (in the shade, if possible), and if the ball hits it, it remains in play. I have never heard one single negative comment about the position of these bottles.

The players and coaches hang all sorts of stuff on the fence, including water bottles as well as equipment and helmet bags. These things aren't considered silly, so what is silly about an umpire hanging a water bottle on the fence? Who really pays attention to such trivial, mundane things, except for a fellow umpire and his opinion?

Yes, if you are working a D-1 or pro game, you would have no need to have your own water, because it would be provided, as these people think in advance about the umpires. I agree that carrying water at this high level doesn't look good, either. But in the real world of bush league baseball, most people could care less if the umpire drops dead, and never give two thoughts as to their hydration needs.

I have worked games in southern California in which the leagues and tournaments were not as enlighted. I had my own water. I never found it necessary to place it anywhere in violation of the rules. Perhaps that's a bit anal retentive, but as an umpire I do not believe I should violate the rules. Feel free to disagree. This thread isn't really worth the lifespan it already has.