Chest Protectors??

[DaveASA/FED]

Ok I coached at a tourney this weekend and I did not see one umpire wearing a chest protector on ANY of the fields. It was lower level ball, rec throw together all-star teams, all officials had high school patches on. Different levels 11U(don't ask I don't know!!) 12U 14U and 16U. In our games I saw 2 different umps take HARD untouched foul balls off the upper chest area, around the collar bone area.

There comments were it was too hot for chest protectors, some didn't even wear shin guards. It was hot 95+ with humidity felt like 103-110, but personally I wont' do a game without all my gear. Wanted some opinions as to how often this happens, alot of you work in that kind of heat most of the year do you wear full gear?? Any tricks to stay cool other than obvious lots of water and cold towels??