The heat is on

[txump81]

Been working two games a night when we aren't rained out the last couple of weeks. Games start at 6 with temps in the 90s. That's not the killer though-humidity. If any of you have been in South Texas after a rain shower, you know what I mean. Just walking from the truck to the field my undershirt is soaked. Hydration is the key though. I have been drinking nothing but water and Gatorade type drinks. All day every day. At least 64 oz of water per day. A couple waters during the game. A gatorade type around lunch and one after the last game.

[wadeintothem]

big whup. 11 games in two days @ 100.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

big whup. 11 games in two days @ 100.

Time limits?
Number of games don't always tell the story.
How about hrs on field / hrs at site.

In fact another factor - Umpire facilities????

In the last few weekends, I've had
1) Parking lot
2) Upstairs scorer's booth (4-plex) windows and fan
3) Upstairs scorer's booth (4-plex) AIR CONDITIONED!!!

South Florida Heat and humidity
1:15 / finish the inning

Friday: Base, Base, Base, OFF, Plate, Plate
Sat: Base, Off, Plate, Plate, Off Base, Base
Sun. Base, Off, Plate, Plate, Off Base

[BretMan]

Last weekend- the only weekend that I haven't umpired a tournament this season- we had temps in the mid-to-upper 90's and high humidity. Two umpires went down in the heat, requiring visits from paramedics. Part of the treatment was to lie the guys down and pack ice around their bodies.

One of the guys that went down was our district ASA commissioner. The only reason he was umpiring at all was as an emergency replacement for the first umpire that went down in the heat! When he told me about this, I said, "Gee, I miss all the fun stuff".

Instead of roasting on the field that weekend, I was basking on the beach in North Carolina.

[DTQ_Blue]

Learned a hard lesson. Didn't hydrate as much as I needed to before the event. Got thru 4 games Saturday with a bottle or two of water and small bottle of gatorade per game. Didn't load up with water Saturday night and was set up for Sunday. During my 3rd game had leg cramps every time I broke from behind the plate. Walked off the field OK, and 20 minutes later I couldn't stand or even sit up because BP was way down and then got cramps all over the place. Wound up getting 2L of IV fluid in the ER. Took Monday off and drank like a fiend and peed like a fire hose all day. Woke up in the middle of the night on Monday and had to change my PJs from sweating in bed even though the AC was cranking. A few bottles of g-ade and water before my games Tuesday and Wednesday and g-Ade and water all day long; 4 games per day, mid to upper 90s in NC. Never stopped peeing line a fire hose both days. Valuable lesson learned. I think my 22 lb weight loss since early May in part set me up for this, but I'll not do a multi day event again w/o being prepared. The ER nurse said you can mess up your kidneys from dehydration.

[NCASAUmp]

Ouch... Sorry to hear about it, man...

Hey, if you needed something, why didn't you call? I'd have helped, Blue!

Hope you're all right. If you're still in town and want to grab a beer, let me know.

[DTQ_Blue]

NCASA Ump

Thanx for the offer, but I drove back to No. VA today. Don't feel any worse for the experience but I'll not forget it until I'm senile.

Are you from the Cary area? I can look you up next year cause I'm thinking about going back for more punishment. I worked in Middle Creek HS, Thomas Brooks Park by USA Baseball and Bond Park if you are familiar with those venues. They also used Womble and Green Hope HS. Never worked on a bermuda grass OF before.

[Steve M]

I'll say it again - though I have to relearn the same lesson now & then.
In the heat & hmidity, if you don't have to go, you need to drink.
And that's after hydrating for several days prior to the weekend.

We had a couple of guys go down this past weekend, and another couple that got closer to going down than they wanted to - this was in Mike's backyard.

Most of us are no longer 20 or even 20-something - so we can't do the same lack of taking care of ourselves that we did when we were younger.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Steve M

We had a couple of guys go down this past weekend, and another couple that got closer to going down than they wanted to - this was in Mike's backyard.

And though I don't mind helping, I'd rather umpires not go down.

Next year we are going to be ready with a couple umpires (probably myself and one other) standing by just in case this happens again.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And though I don't mind helping, I'd rather umpires not go down.

Next year we are going to be ready with a couple umpires (probably myself and one other) standing by just in case this happens again.

Was that at the JT showcase?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Was that at the JT showcase?

Yep

[CecilOne]

Just back from my hottest in years, USSSA World Series East, temps 95 - 101 plus 5 - 7 heat indexes, reflecting off light dusty fields. My knowledge, our discussions like pre-hydrating; and gallons of half-water/half-Gatorade made it possible. Also, I work on keeping my body as cool as posssible, water on my head, wet towel on my neck, etc. Back-to-back Sunday morning was tough, though.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Just back from my hottest in years, USSSA World Series East, temps 95 - 101 plus 5 - 7 heat indexes, reflecting off light dusty fields. My knowledge, our discussions like pre-hydrating; and gallons of half-water/half-Gatorade made it possible. Also, I work on keeping my body as cool as posssible, water on my head, wet towel on my neck, etc. Back-to-back Sunday morning was tough, though.

Were you in Kissimmee?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Were you in Kissimmee?

No, Salisbury.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

No, Salisbury.

Just wondering.
I'm not scheduled to do any of the Kissimmee games, but a friend is over there.
He keeps threatening that I might be needed if they get desperate.