WEST BEND – One of the hot topics of debate surrounding spring baseball has always been the weather; but experienced coaches are starting to fess-up about their strategies on how to battle icy temps through long innings.
“Actually last year was the first time in 25 years where I bought the coaching staff jackets,” said New Richmond baseball coach John Ball who confessed he always packs his jacket with a hood “just in case.”
Hearty baseball fans in Wisconsin are familiar with the routine of gearing up to watch a spring game. Those with experience get to the park early and quickly mark their territory with blankets strapped to bleachers that will pull in the most sun.
Experienced fans realize, what may have been a comfortable day with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s can soon turn to a teeth-chattering prayer for fast pitches and 1-2-3 innings.
“Batting gloves are a must early in the season,” said Ball. “It’s the sting in the hands that nobody can ever get used to.
Questioned whether long underwear was for wimps, Ball chuckled.
“No long underwear and no blankets on the bench; if it’s that cold we probably shouldn’t even be playing.”
On Monday, snowy conditions and severe weather postponed Major League Baseball home openers in Chicago and Boston.
In St. Louis opening day temperatures were at 38 degrees. A 20 mile an hour wind made it feel like 28 degrees. But the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates were tough; the two teams also had heaters in their dugouts.
“Opening Day trumps any sort of uncomfortable weather condition” according to MLB.com.
In high school baseball, the athletes and coaches suck it up.
“You know, I’m an environmentalist … but I’m all in favor of global warming,” said a smart-alecky Joe Waite who was growing weary of indoor practice and chilly temps.
An assistant coach at Cumberland High School, Waite is long familiar with the temperatures trends of the Midwest.
Layers is the key, according to Waite. “And those little pocket hand warmers are awesome. I put two in my shoes and two in my batting gloves.”
With plenty of cold weather games under his belt, Waite said he had yet to see “a kid freeze to death” while outside playing ball.
“If they’re playing they’re in pretty good shape. The kids aren’t all that cold when they’re in the game it’s when they come in off the bench that they struggle a bit.”
Scanning the Cumberland dugout you’ll see jackets buttoned to the chin, hats pulled down tight, and maybe a knit hat or two but no blankets.
“Blankets are for wusses,” said Waite admitting he did bring a portable space heater last season. “You would see them over there warming up their fingertips and bat handles.”
As far as the athletes are concerned, Ball believed the catcher always had it best in the cold. “I’ve never had a catcher complain,” he said noting the high level of movement required at the position and the added warmth with extra equipment.
The current trend among athletes is Under Armour, form-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing designed to be worn under sportswear.
While the weather may not be the most accommodating for players or their parents, Waite said there’s little chance they’ll ever call a game because of conditions.
“If we’re supposed to play and there’s no precipitation, we’re going to play,” he said recalling one game where temperatures were in the high 20s. “We also have to watch out for the pitchers because of the field conditions and if it starts getting greasy, that’s the point where it becomes dangerous and you can’t play if the mound becomes slippery.”
One of Waite’s most memorable games was an eight inning matchup against Hayward.
“The game was two years ago and it was snowing so hard the umpires had to call the game for 10 minutes because the batter couldn’t see the ball because the wind was blowing snow so hard in his face he couldn’t keep his eyes open,” he said. “That’s probably the most miserable weather game I’ve ever been a part of; everybody pretty much turned blue but we got ‘er in.”
LITTLE BIT OF BASEBALL TRIVIA…
In 2007 the Cleveland Indians played their unofficial home opener against the Anaheim Angels at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The reason was because Cleveland got socked with four days of snow and cold weather prior to their April 10th opener.
If you have a strategy on how to stay warm during a game email judy@prepsonthenet.com. Be sure to include your name and school affiliation and note your comment maybe published.
