Yesterday was the last game of the year for me, as far as I know. Unfortunately, it was the first ever when I struggled with the heat. Even with my usual pre-hydrating, lots of water both internal and external, starting Gatorade sooner, eventually an icy towel on my neck; I gave up after 5 innings of the third game as PU, because I was afraid of missing a play. Luckily, another ump on the next field had finished and could cover the last two innings. Ironically, the other hottest weekend a month ago, I was the one covering for others and being at full strength that game and some long hot games the next day. And last week, eight games versus this week's five games.

The point is that I'm usually more heat-tolerant than most around here, always prepare, condition myself to the heat all spring and summer, preach and do max hydration, referee soccer doubleheaders starting late August; but still struggled.

Now, I'm wondering if spending Thursday at the beach had an effect.

There were a couple of guys who had some heat issues there. I'm sure that was the hottest weekend I've seen this year. I was satisfied with 4 games a day - 'though the 3 in a row to wrap things up was draining.
It was good meeting you Cecil - good to have a face to put with the name.

Which is part of my slant on it. A sudden change in the bodies water intake can have a short-term negative affect on one's body.

Everyone is different. I have an umpire in my area that drinks more than 2 gallons of water a day, every day and that is not enough even though the doctors insist there is nothing wrong with him.

Unless you are the type that drinks plenty of water regularly, IMO, twenty four hours just isn't going to do it. The 3-4 days gives the body a chance to adjust. Is it the same for everyone? No

Could be. I generally drink about a gallon of coffee and close to a gallon of water each day. During weekend tournaments, the coffee is dropped to 1 large mug and the water is doubled - at least. I'll go through 2 bottles (about 24 oz each) with each plate game.

I hydrate always through the week.. ie I'm a pretty big water drinker anyway (I doubt a gallon a day though). I dont extra hydrate before tournaments. I work usually 100-110 although admittedly this year has been comparatively mild staying in the 90s. I drink plenty of water.. during my breaks I drink a gatorate. I stick to cold sammiches and lots of fruit especially grapes and bannanas.

I've never had a problem with dehydration, knock on wood.

Watch your pee... if its yellow you are dehydrated.. the darker the worser.

"Watch your pee... if its yellow you are dehydrated.. the darker the worser."

That's a really good point - I'll watch both the volume and the color.

Yup. Spirits of ammonia is one of those things where a little goes a long way. Like I said, a capful or two per gallon is enough, unless you think you will have to repeatedly add ice during the day. I carry a six pack cooler that I fill half way with ice, then add a cap of ammonia spirits and water to almost the top. I then put in two towels and that usually will do great for me for a whole day.

When I was in the Army and in the desert I had a senior NCO tell me that if my men were not peeing they needed to be drinking. It is obviously not possible to drink during the game, but every inning you need to make sure that you have water. I always do the Gatorade or sports drink thing between games and then a lot of water during.

Of course today I leave for Ohio where the high was 80 yesterday after working in 105 all weekend. I will be wearing a jacket every morning, and loving it!:D

Spirits of ammonia mean nothing except for ruining some good ice. It is hogwash. Surely someone has some sort of evidence that this is helpful other than east coast blather and fairy tales. I know I've looked high and low for some reputable evidence. If someone has some evidence I'd love to be corrected on this.

Oh well. Then I'm stocked for life. :D

I don't care if it's true or not. If it feels good, is refreshing and has no adverse effects, why not do it? :)

Lets see..

Youre hot, you put a cool iced towel on your neck.

Then say "wow that spirit of amonia is refreshing".

:D

Yep.

Back off, man. I'm a scientist. ;)

LOL!

OK I'm off, hey if it works for you!

I'll let you borrow my towel... :D

Boy, that sounded a bit creepy...