What to bring to CDP

[wbeene13]

I will be going to CDP week 7 this will be my 1st trip.  Need to tips on what to bring and not to bring.

[JaxRolo]

Bed Sheets

Fabreeze

Pillow

 

Plate Gear!

shower shoes

different colors of shirts. Don't be the guy that only wears Navy!

[Scratch Franzeo]

I too am going for my first time during week six.  I heard that we may want to bring extension/power strips because power outlets are scarce.  Is this true?

[grayhawk]

I posted this on another board a while back:

 

If you can, get there early so you can choose your bunk house and bunk. You don't want to get stuck in the middle. If you are going week 7, it will be hot, so bring a fan. I was there week 13 and an extra blanket was more important than a fan. Bring the following:

A lock for your foot locker
Extension cord
Pillow
Sheets (if you want privacy, bring an extra to hang from the top bunk)
Blanket/sleeping bag
Towels
Shower shoes
Sunscreen & Chapstick
An extra cap to wear when not umpiring - the CDP caps suck.
A cooler for water/gatorade, etc.
A floor mat (nice for getting dressed - the floors get dirty)

They will do your laundry every day - both your regular stuff and your uniforms. They return your pants and uniform shirts on hangars. Put anything associated with your uniform in the uniform bag (including socks, jock, compression shorts/tights, undershirts, etc) even though they may not be listed on the sheet. Uniform stuff comes back in the morning and regular clothes come back in the afternoon.

Food is okay. I thought I would need a lot of snacks to get by, but didn't find them necessary. You can buy ice for your cooler for a couple of bucks per bag.

They will give you a bag of pins to trade. I gave each kid on the team that brought me one so they wouldn't have to trade for it and then traded the leftovers. Pin trading is INSANE there.

Don't get caught up in the politics. Follow the rules, enjoy the games, and make some friends. Hope you have a good crew - makes the games a lot more fun.

[BigUmpire]

Sorry. Been gone for 13 years.

Not sure what CDP is. 

Been here http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/umpire.html

 

 BUT not sure how you get to go.

[JaxRolo]

Sorry. Been gone for 13 years.

Not sure what CDP is.

Been here http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/umpire.html

BUT not sure how you get to go.

Submit an application.

Find a team to take you and help you with expenses.

Have fun.

You don't need a team but then you are own your own penny.

[BigUmpire]

 

Sorry. Been gone for 13 years.

Not sure what CDP is.

Been here http://www.cooperstowndreamspark.com/umpire.html

BUT not sure how you get to go.

Submit an application.

Find a team to take you and help you with expenses.

Have fun.

You don't need a team but then you are own your own penny.

 

Thanks.

[alan2703]

If you are driving and are going into town for a break ask some of the new friends you have made and take them in with you, for a beverage or 2

[theedeuce]

Never been to CDP... looking forward to it however; I have several uniform colors but all have different association patches on sleeve... Does CDP prefer plain sleeves or does it really matter... Please advise...

[JaxRolo]

Never been to CDP... looking forward to it however; I have several uniform colors but all have different association patches on sleeve... Does CDP prefer plain sleeves or does it really matter... Please advise...

Patches don't matter. Just match colors.

[MadMax]

Uniforms (Shirts) - You will be issued two CDP Navy shirts, and we are required to wear them for Bracket games starting on Wednesday. That leaves Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to wear any colors we wish _provided_ you match amongst your crew. You start to see who the invested umpires are because all the obscure, elaborate colors start coming out. I'm buying pink and vintage (cream) shirts for that reason! It's all about having fun while honoring the game.

Long-sleeve shirts (optional) - if you're the type that gets cold easily, or sunburns easily, or is loaded with tattoos, I would recommend getting a long-sleeved umpire shirt or two. Start with Navy or Powder, and perhaps get a Black. One of the senior CDP staff does _not like_ long-sleeved undershirts under a short-sleeved umpire shirt.

Jackets - You are provided a Navy CDP jacket. If it gets cold or mists, we usually default to this to wear, but most of the veteren, invested umpires haul out their Black jackets. I'm getting a Black jacket.

Undershirts - You are provided a Navy CDP t-shirt, but this is hardly a wicking undershirt. Besides this, there are varying strong opinions regarding what colors are appropriate for undershirts. Most of it hinges around the color of the umpire shirt vs. the color of the outer stripe on the collar. If it's black, you _should_ wear black. If it's navy, you wear navy. On a Navy umpire shirt, the outer stripe is red... which is where the discussion really heats up, because there's a club or cadre of umpires who dub themselves The Dreamcrushers, and their identification mark is that red undershirt showin' loud and proud. I have all the basics... black, red, navy, charcoal grey... Just don't wear white or some blinding color like Nike Volt. Have several, because you want to be seen and heard, not smelled.

Pants - the trend is leaning more and more to charcoal pants instead of heather. I did all of CDP last year with heathers, and didn't catch too much grief... But I did get two charcoals for this year, and will be bringing all 3. You will spend a good amount of time in em, and I recommend Combos at least. You don't want to look like a pine cone in a sausage casing, and while most fellow umpires will loan out their shirts, there are very very few that will loan out pants.

Protective Wear - this will never be loaned out. Make sure you have this, and I'd say have two supporters. CDP is a learning experience, and it's learning by showcasing... You're on the main stage, and it would be a shame to not get to call B's and K's because your supporter is trapped in the laundry.

Hats - as another posted, bring some hats because the issued CDP one is crap, is a standard-bill, and is going to be needed for parades and final games. You'll want a black hat with standard bill, and a black hat and a navy hat with short bill. Some guys do hat exchanges, so if you have some hats from your home association, bring 'em.

Shoes - Personally, I don't wear plate shoes (catcher for 15 years, and I play soccer and hockey... My feet have gotten numb to it), but the guys that do are _adamant_ about keeping them clean. Your shoes should be black, primarily, and kept clean. Bring shoe cleaner and/or polish. Static guard and Scrubbing Bubbles work magically, trust us. Last year, I was nursing a bruised heel from a soccer tournament a week before, and so wore charcoal-grey, leather (CDP clay will _kill_ fabric or synthetic -based shoes) Nike Air Max trainers, which really cushioned my feet, but I got some snide remarks from the fellows.

You'll also want a pair of day-to-day shoes, and a pair of Sandals or Crocs -- going barefoot is forbidden, end of discussion.

Other clothing - Swim trunks aren't a bad idea, considering that while we do have our own bathroom building, we have to walk to it. And while it is supposed to be summer, a cold front may roll in and you might find yourself wanting a knit hat and some lite-duty gloves, so consider it.

Towels - bring 2, even if they're beaters. The laundry service is wonderful, but they might be doing your one when you get off a 2-hour sticky and really need a shower.

Bedding - CDP recommends sleeping bags, but they do have mattresses on our bunks, so a set of cheap (Wal-Mart, Target, Costco) sheets will do just fine, and a blanket. I got this synthetic-fill comforter from Wal-Mart for $22... I'm going to sleep on top of it when warm and get under it when cold. Easy to wash, and if it gets shredded or wrecked, I'll just leave it behind.

See my posting below regarding The Bunk Booth.

A flashlight - Upon penalty of curses, bodily harm and possible death, DO NOT turn those bunkhouse lights on.

A charger for your phone - I'm serious... Triple check. I was one of the most sought after guys for my week not only because I brought an iPhone charger, but because I am an IT professional, I brought several with me.

Sunglasses - Some days are sheer blinders. Besides, wear some really snazzy ones, and you'll have compliments from every 12 year old in the park.

Pin Rolls, A favorite glove, etc. - Remember, you are attending the Birthplace of Baseball -- enjoy it, but don't go overboard. Don't be surprised if you see baseball (or other sports, like football or NASCAR) royalty there in support of their kids. Don't glam-cling, but if you want to exchange a pin or patch, or get your glove autographed, go for it.

There are supermarkets and stores off-campus for other necessities as they arise.

[theedeuce]

Mad Max... I will gainfully apply all this information... Excellent post