Things I Learned....

[JaxRolo]

I don't bring anything (cooler, water bottle, etc) inside the field during the regular season.  Summer/Fall ball?  I park a mini cooler at the corner of where the backstop meets the fence on the 1B or 3B side (depending on if there is a shadow).  Never had a problem, never had anyone complain.  In games with no lineup cards, everything is more relaxed.

^^^THIS

 

Of course we are not bringing coolers on the field for "real" games.

 

All the summer and fall tournament crap. I will have a cooler. Water and beer!

[mrumpiresir]

I don't bring a cooler or even a bottle of water on the field.

 

I find that I can usually get through a 2 or 3 hour game with no problem and I have worked in some dry environments.  If I felt I needed some water, I have gone to a dugout or the concession stand and asked.  They are always happy to oblige. 

 

Often at the plate meeting, one of the coaches will let us know that they have water available if we need it.  I have worked games where some young fellow will hustle out between innings and bring us water even though we had not requested it.

 

So in my experience, I don't feel a need to bring my own water on the field.  Of course it is necessary to keep yourself hydrated throughout the season.  I do keep my cooler in the car and usually drink a quart of Gatorade or water after the game.

[KLAH316]

I don't bring anything (cooler, water bottle, etc) inside the field during the regular season.  Summer/Fall ball?  I park a mini cooler at the corner of where the backstop meets the fence on the 1B or 3B side (depending on if there is a shadow).  Never had a problem, never had anyone complain.  In games with no lineup cards, everything is more relaxed.

Mine is one of those soft sided coolers..... I hang it on the shady side of the backstop with carabineers about waist high.  Pretty much what everyone else does around here and it has never been an issue. 

[ReiverFever]

First timer on here. I always hate it when a plate umpire tucks their mask in behind their pants with the throat protector.

Partner tied his stop watch to the backstop and continually checked it during game

[MadMax]

First timer on here. I always hate it when a plate umpire tucks their mask in behind their pants with the throat protector.

 

 

Whiskey... Tango... F-F-Foxtrot??! Is the umpire in question wearing sweatpants with an elastic waistband?! I never thought this even possible!!

 

Partner tied his stop watch to the backstop and continually checked it during game

 

This, I can understand the reason, but perhaps the frequency-of-checking is too much. There are tournament games that are timed with a hard limit, and you can't rely upon the bookkeeper to keep you abreast of the time remaining. Keeping a simple stopwatch or countdown timer handy is a very good idea, and it may not be advisable to wear it on the wrist as a wristwatch if working as PU. In a ball bag might not be a bad option, but someone's quirk might be to hang it on the backstop.

 

Checking it after every batter? That's waaaaaaaay excessive.

[JaxRolo]

First timer on here. I always hate it when a plate umpire tucks their mask in behind their pants with the throat guard

One guy here does that. Another guy rests his mask on top of his head between innings.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

I want to see a picture of this throat-protector stuck in the waistband trick.

 

Nobody around here ever uses HARD time limits...but it's quite common for SOFT limits (as in no new inning can start after X:XX)  In those games, I use a simple kitchen timer ($8 at any department store). I set it to count down from the time limit, clip it on the backstop and forget about it.  When the timer goes off, that becomes the last inning...so if the visiting team has completed their half inning and the home team is in the lead...game over.

[lawump]

First timer on here. I always hate it when a plate umpire tucks their mask in behind their pants with the throat protector.

Partner tied his stop watch to the backstop and continually checked it during game

I hate it when the plate umpire puts their mask on the ground during the plate meeting.  I just want to say, "really?"

[ReiverFever]

It really grinds my gears when a plate umpire punches a batter out when he swings. And after a strike 3 looking, he signals it the same way as strike 1&2

[conbo61]

I don't bring anything (cooler, water bottle, etc) inside the field during the regular season. Summer/Fall ball? I park a mini cooler at the corner of where the backstop meets the fence on the 1B or 3B side (depending on if there is a shadow). Never had a problem, never had anyone complain. In games with no lineup cards, everything is more relaxed.

^^^THIS

Of course we are not bringing coolers on the field for "real" games.

All the summer and fall tournament crap. I will have a cooler. Water and beer!

No cooler? Then what do you sit on?

[JaxRolo]

I don't bring anything (cooler, water bottle, etc) inside the field during the regular season. Summer/Fall ball? I park a mini cooler at the corner of where the backstop meets the fence on the 1B or 3B side (depending on if there is a shadow). Never had a problem, never had anyone complain. In games with no lineup cards, everything is more relaxed.

^^^THIS

Of course we are not bringing coolers on the field for "real" games.

All the summer and fall tournament crap. I will have a cooler. Water and beer!

No cooler? Then what do you sit on?

In the dugout

[conbo61]

I don't bring anything (cooler, water bottle, etc) inside the field during the regular season. Summer/Fall ball? I park a mini cooler at the corner of where the backstop meets the fence on the 1B or 3B side (depending on if there is a shadow). Never had a problem, never had anyone complain. In games with no lineup cards, everything is more relaxed.

^^^THIS

Of course we are not bringing coolers on the field for "real" games.

All the summer and fall tournament crap. I will have a cooler. Water and beer!

No cooler? Then what do you sit on?

In the dugout

Of course. Florida sun and all that...;)

[tjwoelfel13]

I learned that one is considered biased if you place your water on one side of the field and not the other regardless of how well you call your game and the outcome.  

[JaxRolo]

I learned that one is considered biased if you place your water on one side of the field and not the other regardless of how well you call your game and the outcome.  

I bring 2 coolers and place one on each side.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

Plate guy puts his in 3rd base dugout, base guy puts his in 1st base dugout.

Never on the field.  It will get you subjected to merciless ridicule in our local association.

[JaxRolo]

Plate guy puts his in 3rd base dugout, base guy puts his in 1st base dugout.

Never on the field. It will get you subjected to merciless ridicule in our local association.

We are not allowed to go in dugouts

[conbo61]

I am working on creating a "beer helmet" type of item for umpires. This way your water never touches the ground.