Keeping cool in the heat

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Andy

4. A small towel kept in ice water in the cooler feels really good between innings.
5. If you don't live in the area and are not used to the heat, make yourself take a drink every half-inning during the game.

You can also put a SMALL amount of spirits of ammonia in the water to help dissapate the heat...just don't drink the water.

One of the problems I see from umpires up here in the NW, and other umpires in other places, is NOT drinking water because it's cool, not thirsty, etc. etc. ALWAYS keep yourself hydrated, even on these 52 degree Saturdays we've been dealing with this spring (including last weekend -- so sorry for those of you dealing with EXTREME HOT AND DRY). Drink water.

Heck, might even improve your strike zone.

[bkbjones]

Oh, and if my partner goes down on me during the middle of the game...well...yah, I'd be surprised too

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

...Drink water.

Heck, might even improve your strike zone.

If you only drink water, you need some other strategy to keep your sodium and other mineral levels up. Eat something, or drink actual sports drinks (as opposed to what marketing wants you to believe are sports drinks). Drinking only water in a high fluid loss activity will lead to water intoxication (over-hydration).

Not drinking enough and getting overheated can lead to heat stroke.

Only drinking water to replace high fluid loss can lead to water intoxication (loss of sodium, etc.)

Some of the symptoms are the same.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by Dakota

actual sports drinks (as opposed to what marketing wants you to believe are sports drinks).

And the difference is?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

And the difference is?

Sugar content, mostly.

[LMan]

http://www.coolshirt.net/industry-port-a-cool.html

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

If you only drink water, you need some other strategy to keep your sodium and other mineral levels up. Eat something, or drink actual sports drinks (as opposed to what marketing wants you to believe are sports drinks). Drinking only water in a high fluid loss activity will lead to water intoxication (over-hydration).

Not drinking enough and getting overheated can lead to heat stroke.

Only drinking water to replace high fluid loss can lead to water intoxication (loss of sodium, etc.)

Some of the symptoms are the same.

I think we may be on different pages.

I believe we were talking about hydration which is basically pre-gameday. You are on gameday. Obviously, you need to handle the body's chemical balance. Many people used salted sunflower seeds for the sodium. That beats the old salt tablets, but they will still do the job.

The only thing you need to watch with the sunflower or any other salted seeds is wear on your teeth. If you use your teeth to split the shell, the salt coating can wear on the enamel of your teeth. Granted, this is for those who do this long-term.

Back to point. I don't know how much you can "build up" on the sodium and electrolytes like you can fluids.

[Rachel]

I did a tournament in Beaumont TX. As I walked in I was given an insulated water jug and I put 2 part water and 1 part power aid (or gatorade)

I drank between innings and had another small cooler with an ice cold rag with a little amonia in the water (don't put that on your head). I put that rag around my neck between innings. If you keep the rag on you it will open your pores and you will sweat like a SOB.

I also have the Schutt with the cold packs. About the 4th inning I had someone put in the cold packs and it was just as nice as working in Minnesota in the spring. (that is an overstatement)

As far as partners going down during a game I think that would be a bad example for the kids.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Rachel

I did a tournament in Beaumont TX. As I walked in I was given an insulated water jug and I put 2 part water and 1 part power aid (or gatorade)

I drank between innings and had another small cooler with an ice cold rag with a little amonia in the water (don't put that on your head). I put that rag around my neck between innings. If you keep the rag on you it will open your pores and you will sweat like a SOB.

I also have the Schutt with the cold packs. About the 4th inning I had someone put in the cold packs and it was just as nice as working in Minnesota in the spring. (that is an overstatement)

As far as partners going down during a game I think that would be a bad example for the kids.

One of Rachel's group, [Mn], set the record for going down in a tournament.
Start of the bottom of the 1st inning he over-heated.

Beaumont, Tx., is definiately not the place to not keep plenty of fluids and
fruits in your bod. The amonia works great also. Our temperature is always
high 90's with humidity same or higher during May, June, July, August.

[wadeintothem]

For us dummies...

What does Spirit of Ammonia do for you exactly?

[Rachel]

Opens your pores and allows body heat to get out.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

If you only drink water, you need some other strategy to keep your sodium and other mineral levels up. Eat something, or drink actual sports drinks (as opposed to what marketing wants you to believe are sports drinks). Drinking only water in a high fluid loss activity will lead to water intoxication (over-hydration).

Not drinking enough and getting overheated can lead to heat stroke.

Only drinking water to replace high fluid loss can lead to water intoxication (loss of sodium, etc.)

Some of the symptoms are the same.

I do eat banana(s), and do not do most sport drinks. I must be very careful about sodium, even moreso than sugars. I do a few sunflower seeds during the game. I've been doing this for years and knock on wood have not had a problem in either direction. I've been hotter than Hades during/after a game, but I have a personal mini-mist machine that help take care of that.