outside protector

[Andy]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

I'm having issues with heat exhaustion down here working the plate with an inside protector. I have a very difficult time exhausting heat and sweat away from my body and it creates a real problem. Years ago back north I used an outside protector for many seasons of baseball and some softball. I was quite comfortable with it, it never hindered my work behind the plate. I'm seriously thinking of buying one for next year. My question here is there anyone that uses one or knows of someone using one?
I love working the plate and think it will keep me in the game to use one. What do you think?
I should add that I am currently only calling FHSAA high school ball during the regular season, no more play-offs or "big" games. 74 years old and umpiring since 1958, near the end of my career.

You can get all of the opinions you want here, but the only thing that really matters is your assignor there in FL. If s/he is OK with it, go for it.

We have a HS SB umpire here in AZ that uses the outside protector. He is an older gentleman that wants to stay in the game, but had a colostomy several years ago. He does not feel adequately protected with an inside protector, so he asked permission to use the balloon and the state association agreed.

[tcannizzo]

Yes, RiteTemp Athletics is out of business, but I found another product that I think is better.

About three weeks ago, I bought a chiller vest from GlacierTek Concealable Cooling Vest

What I read about RiteTemp is that the cooling would only last 4 or 5 innings requiring a quick change out mid-game.

The GlacierTek cooling elements will stay 59 degrees for 2.5 hours in 100 degree temps. The cooling elements are "charged" in ice water in a cooler for 20 minutes. Re-charging is same.

Simply, it works great.
Your core temp is reduced by 10%, along with your heart rate reduced about the same. It does not fool you into thinking it is cooler outside, but your perspiration is reduced by about 99%.

Case in point:
I was scheduled for plates at 9:30am, 3:30pm and 6:30pm.
I didn't use the vest for the 9:30am game as it was relatively mild. But that didn't stop me from working up a decent sweat. Changed pants and shirt for base game at 11:15.

We were at a nice complex where the umpires had access to a conference room that was roomy and air-conditioned.

When getting ready for 3:30 game, even though the 9:30 pants had been hanging in the A/C for 3 hours, they were still noticeably damp. So, I pulled out a fresh pair.

At the end of the 3:30 game, the pants that I just wore were bone dry, and definitely drier than the 9:30 pants.

The vest seems a bit bulky at first and it weighs nearly 5 pounds, but you will not be bothered by that. I haven't used it for a base game yet because it would be very noticeable - would look like you had a chest protector on. But if the temps get high enough (100+), I will not hesitate to use the product on bases.

Side benefit that I did not realize until this past weekend.
Since your core temp has been reduced for the 90 +/- minutes, it takes a while for it to rise back up. So, for the first 30 minutes or so of the base game, you are still feeling pretty comfortable. I still use my frog togg for the base game, and able to use the same pair of pants back-to-back and remain bone dry.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Andy

You can get all of the opinions you want here, but the only thing that really matters is your assignor there in FL. If s/he is OK with it, go for it.

We have a HS SB umpire here in AZ that uses the outside protector. He is an older gentleman that wants to stay in the game, but had a colostomy several years ago. He does not feel adequately protected with an inside protector, so he asked permission to use the balloon and the state association agreed.

Why would he need the State Association's permission to use a balloon rather than an inside protector? Neither the OhioHSAA nor the MichiganHSAA require a baseball or softball umpire to use the inside protector.

MTD, Sr.