HEART PATIENT AS UMPIRE

[LarryB]

I had a cardiac cath. with placement of a stent on Thurs. and have started a regimen of plavex which supposedly lends itself to easy bruising. My wife is already pushing for me to take the season off, but my feeling is that I'm probably better protected behind the plate than on the bases. Just wondering whether any of you have had angeoplasty with the meds. & how its affected you. Thanks[/b]

Larry
I'm sorry but I can't answer your queston. I will say this - Tough it out and make the wife happy, kick back with a season or partial season outside the confines of the playing field. You sound to me like a dedicated man who enjoys what he does, but is it worth possibly have more problems? Get well and have a Merry Christmas. HH

[Richard_Siegel]

My uninformed opinion is to discuss this very thoroughly with your doctor. Tell him exactly what physical dangers and demands of the plate and the bases are. Be absolutely honest. Then let him advise you. Do what he says. You're playing with you're health and possibly you life. It's not worth the risk of missing a few months of games.

RBS

[Dave_Davies]

Pussy!
Get out there and work!!

Seriously, my partner, Batterman the Boatbuilder, had some multiple bypass stuff done to his Heart (He doesn't really have one) a while back. He laid off for about 6 months.

Before the Heart stuff, he averaged 16 EJ's per season. AH (after heart) he gets only 1 EJ per season. When querying his new found pussiness, he said that he is in his 3rd stage?? of umpiring, plus the massive amount of AH drugs he takes. He is a changed man, I tell ya.

Make your loved ones happy. Lay off for a while, one or two weeks, then get out there!!

Dave

[Peter_Hersbach]

My uninformed opinion is to discuss this very thoroughly with your doctor. Tell him exactly what physical dangers and demands of the plate and the bases are. Be absolutely honest. Then let him advise you. Do what he says. You're playing with you're health and possibly you life. It's not worth the risk of missing a few months of games.

RBS

ABOVE you've got THE BEST ADVICE EVER... :!:

Good Luck, BKR.

[mstaylor]

I had a quadruple bypass done four years ago. It cost me the summer season. I had the heartattack on Memorial Day Monday. I worked allstars and states on the bases that year. I wouldn't recommend going behind the plate this season. The other side of the coin is you have plenty of time before the season so your meds may change. The stent shouldn't make any difference, it's the bruising that will be the problem. When you return, go to a hardshell. I also returned to the soccer field at the varsity level that Aug. Definitely talk to your doctor.
Why do you think you are safer behind the plate? Yes, you have more gear on but you never get hit on the bases. Good luck no matter the decision.

And just so Dave knows, it didn't affect my ejections. :lol:

[MAS]

I wouldn't say you never get hit on the bases. I had a partner last summer who got drilled in the chest by a line drive. He dropped to the ground faster than anyone I have ever seen.

[mstaylor]

Agreed but the odds are certainly better. I know I have only been hit once in fair territory in 28 yrs. I did get hit in the shin working as U4. The coach and runner each stepped out of the way but I never picked it up until just before it hit me. I figure that's about 1 hit every 14 yrs. :lol:

[SCurran]

Larry,
Take the time off the field. To keep you in the game, you might consider doing evaluations of lesser experienced umpires for whatever organization you belong to.

Take care,
Steve

[BT_Blue]

Pussy!
Get out there and work!!

Seriously, my partner, Batterman the Boatbuilder, had some multiple bypass stuff done to his Heart (He doesn't really have one) a while back. He laid off for about 6 months.

Before the Heart stuff, he averaged 16 EJ's per season. AH (after heart) he gets only 1 EJ per season. When querying his new found pussiness, he said that he is in his 3rd stage?? of umpiring, plus the massive amount of AH drugs he takes. He is a changed man, I tell ya.

Make your loved ones happy. Lay off for a while, one or two weeks, then get out there!!

Dave

My god Dave, I knew you were cruel hearted but this?

I agree with everyone else... dont take your health for granted, take the season off... The ball field will be there when you comeback, its not going to leave but if you take your health for granted... you may not be.

Arik

[BT_Blue]

I wouldn't say you never get hit on the bases. I had a partner last summer who got drilled in the chest by a line drive. He dropped to the ground faster than anyone I have ever seen.

you think thats good... I know of an umpire that is (or was I cant remember) in the group Im with that got hit in the balls a couple years ago while working on bases.

[tn_matt]

BT, that's exactly why I wear my cup anytime I think about working a game, plate or bases.

As for more danger behind the plate or in the field, I was hit several times last year, far more times behind the plate, but the first time I was hit was while working in C. I found out that day that it takes longer for 230 lbs. to get airborne than it does for a low line drive to go 50 feet.

[lindaleump]

I think Steve gave you a wonderful idea. Surely your unit could use some evaluation help, since most of us are short of umps, but no one wants the duty. IF you handle it right, let the guys know you're coming, sit and observe opening, giving them a chance to know you're there, then provide immediate and quality feedback on how they did. i.e. what they did that looked good, good mechanics, good team work, good signals and when they "could have done it better IF.......". Keep your comments brief and not personal and make sure they know you're there to help, NOT judge. It will give you time to recover fully, adjust to your meds and give your club a great service of helping some of the guys that need work.

One thing to remember about any significant change in meds, you won't know "how" it will work on your body until you've been on it a while. Getting hit either place might cause greater damage and extended recovery required than if you sit out a while.

You're an umpire, that means you know how to use your head, just use it now with your family in mind....... God Bless you and your recover.

[RollerBowler]

Larry....I too was a victim to the dreaded heart attack. Never knew I was having one...but doctor said I must have had a couple minor ones over a few days.

I was beginning the umpiring season (May 17th, 2003 to be exact) when I was diagnosed. Doctors gave me the meds but to date I have not had any stents involved. Best possible prevention of heart attack...exercise. I had been working out a couple times a week throughout the winter. The doctor said it was probably the reason it was not as severe...bad enough but not severe.

I continue to attend cardio rehab weekly along with a couple more times at the gym. Once you have had the stress test done, learn and memorize your cardio zone and exercise within those limits. Pushing it beyond only sets you back...the zone is where it's at. You'll feel stronger than you did before.

I handled a few games beginning in August later that year...no plate, just bases. Last season, both plate and bases. Got nailed a few times, saw some bruising in a couple of areas, without incident. One thing I did notice, the bruising takes forever to go away. Yes, the doctor said be careful about bruising so where ever possible, protect yourself.

I purchased a hardshell protector....best investment I've made. Itech makes one here in Canada, (sorry I don't have their web site handy, same company as the hockey helmets). Model UMP3000, hard but very comfortable, light and flexible in the right areas. I can count at least 5 or 6 times where the protector took the brunt of the blow, without a scratch. I'm sure you will find a couple companies where you are that supply a good hardshell protector.

I wish you a speedy recovery and remember the game can wait until you feel up to doing it again. Keep a positive attitude and depending on your situation, you'll know when you will be able to return. As you have seen, there are some of us who have experienced what you have had happen and with the right meds and positive outlook, you'll be back in no time. Listen to the doctors, and for exercise, well I'll leave the nurses up to you!!!