Keeping Warm

RPatrino

This is my first season in the great Northwest. So far, the temp's have never been over 50, and that is not what this California guy is used to. Normally, I have to worry about keeping cool! First on field experience was not very pleasant, I forgot my gloves and only had a regular tee shirt under my pull over. I also wore work (dress) socks, having gone directly from work. So, I felt like an ice cube.

So, having 'learned' from this experience, I purchased an Under Armor cold weather undershirt and some nice socks. It was a bit better, but the wind was bitter cold and I was still shivering. I noticed that some of the others wore Majestic heavy pull overs. Does anyone else have them? What else can I do to keep comfortable and not be immobile ?

Toadman15241

RPatrino wrote
This is my first season in the great Northwest. So far, the temp's have never been over 50, and that is not what this California guy is used to. Normally, I have to worry about keeping cool! First on field experience was not very pleasant, I forgot my gloves and only had a regular tee shirt under my pull over. I also wore work (dress) socks, having gone directly from work. So, I felt like an ice cube.

So, having 'learned' from this experience, I purchased an Under Armor cold weather undershirt and some nice socks. It was a bit better, but the wind was bitter cold and I was still shivering. I noticed that some of the others wore Majestic heavy pull overs. Does anyone else have them? What else can I do to keep comfortable and not be immobile ?

I assume you are talking about working the bases. I've done games in snow before and I've never been cold behind the dish. On the bases I always wore a sweat wicking shirt and sweatshirt under a heavy jacket. This normally did the trick. I also tried to run around in between innings to stay warm. Just standing in A is by far the worst.

etn_ump

The Majestic jacket is great. You can also wear a regular black fleece under it for added warmth.

Try an Under Armour type face shield that covers your ears and face, too.

Hot Hands for your gloves and one in each of your pants pockets. I am only cold from the waist down on the bases. Plate, I'm fine.

JRutledge

A lot of what makes you warm is personal and will vary based on your body style and cold tolerance. I usually have things underneath that do the trick, and sometimes layers works as well when you are working the plate or on the bases. Yes, you can get cold behind the plate if you do not have the right things underneath. I would rather be a little warm than a little cold any day. I would put a little more on at first and then see if you can tolerate being warm. I also think wearing gloves helps as well. You can always take them off at some point. I have a plate coat I wear early in the season and turtlenecks to wear under both plate gear or base coat. Also no one can tell you ultimately what is OK as long as it cannot be seen. I have had guys try to make jokes of what I have on but then they complain later how cold they were. A lot also depends on what time of day you are working games and what the wind is doing. It can be 50 degree but the wind chill can make it feel 30. Being on the bases you are obviously less mobile for most of the game so you need to be more warm there than on the plate.

Peace

Rita C

RPatrino wrote
This is my first season in the great Northwest. So far, the temp's have never been over 50, and that is not what this California guy is used to. Normally, I have to worry about keeping cool! First on field experience was not very pleasant, I forgot my gloves and only had a regular tee shirt under my pull over. I also wore work (dress) socks, having gone directly from work. So, I felt like an ice cube.

So, having 'learned' from this experience, I purchased an Under Armor cold weather undershirt and some nice socks. It was a bit better, but the wind was bitter cold and I was still shivering. I noticed that some of the others wore Majestic heavy pull overs. Does anyone else have them? What else can I do to keep comfortable and not be immobile ?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Welcome to the Great Northwest!

It wore out but I loved my navy blue wool turtleneck! And I'm never without my McDavid's!

Remember, Shirt sleeve weather will be 60 degrees! And be careful when it gets to the 80's! By that time you will have acclimated and heatstroke is a real possibility.

And get good raingear.

Rita

RPatrino

80's? When will that be? Don't make promises that the weather can't keep!!

Will you be at the WROC next weekend?

Rita C

RPatrino wrote
80's? When will that be? Don't make promises that the weather can't keep!!

Will you be at the WROC next weekend?

80s can happen!

Yes I will. I will be helping (but not instructing)

Rita

Rita C

RPatrino wrote
80's? When will that be? Don't make promises that the weather can't keep!!

Will you be at the WROC next weekend?

I said, "When it gets in the 80s". I made no promises it would happen this year or the next! Or ever! It didn't last year!

But it is more likely where you live than where we do. We are usually 5-10 degrees cooler than Seattle.

Rita

RPatrino

I will see you then. I will be going as a student, which will be different, as I'm usually an instructor..LOL. It will be fun hearing others ideas on things.

Durham

It was 59 today and we wore the majestic pullover, not the jacket with sleeves on. We were very comfortable.

RPatrino

59, sheeze, we may see that in July!!

mbyron

RPatrino wrote
59, sheeze, we may see that in July!!

Reminds me of the old joke about Minnesota, which has two seasons: winter, and July 15. 😉

dash_riprock

RPatrino wrote
This is my first season in the great Northwest. So far, the temp's have never been over 50, and that is not what this California guy is used to. Normally, I have to worry about keeping cool! First on field experience was not very pleasant, I forgot my gloves and only had a regular tee shirt under my pull over. I also wore work (dress) socks, having gone directly from work. So, I felt like an ice cube.

So, having 'learned' from this experience, I purchased an Under Armor cold weather undershirt and some nice socks. It was a bit better, but the wind was bitter cold and I was still shivering. I noticed that some of the others wore Majestic heavy pull overs. Does anyone else have them? What else can I do to keep comfortable and not be immobile ?

Get yourself a neck warmer. I wear mine under a mock turtleneck. It will make more of a difference than any single piece of cold gear. A lot of heat can escape around your neck and this will cut that down considerably. On really brutal days, I can pull it up over my ears (between innings of course).

Occasionally I will get a snide comment from a coach, and my response is always: "No, you can't borrow it."

SE Minnestoa Re

In Minnesota, it finally warms up in the middle of May. I have a couple underarmour shirts, sweatshirts, a turtlneck, ear muffs, gloves, long johns and assorted other cold weather wear. I'm always warmer behind the plate. The bases, however when the wind is blowing, can be brutal.

Welpe

I've heard great things about the Majestic jacket but would have no use for it down here. Some UnderAmour ColdGear tights would probably help keep the wind off.

There are also various light weight wind and water reistant layers sold by cycling and other outdoor shops that might fit the bill. I imagine you have one or two stores like that up in your neck of the woods.

How are you liking the PNW compared to the Bay Area? I considered a move up there...moved here instead.

RPatrino

I like it up here a lot, but I miss my 'homies'. Making a transition to another association, starting from square one again, is a challenge. However, I feel that it will make me a better umpire. I can't wait for the season to start, new faces, new experiences.

gordon30307

Dress in layers. Under Armor (both the tee shirt and long johns), mock turtle neck, heavy sweat shirt, Jacket, the hoodie for your neck and ears. I bring two pairs of gloves when on the field. Change them every half inning. Keeps your hands from sweating. In the field I'll run/jog to the outfield fence. Keeps my old bones loose.