Playing in the heat

With the heart of the summer comes warm weather. All players should come to the game with cold water and have sunscreen applied.

Regardless of how warm it is, coaches and parents should watch for signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion with players: dizziness, headache, weakness or exhaustion, tremors, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, or unusual heartbeat.

If someone has a throbbing headache, vomiting, and a rapid, strong pulse, this may be a sign of heat stroke, and you should call 911 immediately and help cool the person until help arrives.

Here is today's Weather Zone info

Please refer to the following zones for playing outside in the heat (temperatures should factor in humidity considerations, aka the humidex):

White Zone (18ºC - 26ºC)

Aside from regular hydration and sunscreen application, no special measures need to be taken.

Yellow Zone (27ºC - 36ºC)

Coaches are encouraged to take extra steps to protect players by ensuring they stay hydrated and encouraging frequent substitution during games and practices.

Orange Zone (37ºC - 40ºC)

All measures in the Yellow Zone apply. Coaches are encouraged to take extra steps to protect players by ensuring they stay hydrated and encouraging frequent substitution during games and practices.

Catchers are a particular focus, and consecutive innings of catching should generally be limited to 2 (House League). Exceptions may be made on a player-by-player basis, at Coaches' discretion, provided that the player is closely monitored and staying well hydrated. The length of House League games will be modified according to the schedule below:

    Tee Ball and Tyke: games will be reduced by 15 minutes
    Rookie and Mosquito: games will be reduced by 20 minutes

If it is a practice day, coaches are instructed to reduce the practice time, give frequent breaks, and ensure players stay well-hydrated.

Note

The humidex will rise and fall depending upon time of day, amount of wind, cloud cover, etc. The above program modifications could also change throughout the day. For example, a 6:15 game may be in the Orange Zone, but an evening game (this year) might only be in the Yellow Zone. Coaches should check the weather ahead of the practice/game and follow the appropriate program modifications.

The above are merely guidelines, and it is the responsibility of parents or guardians to make the ultimate decisions as to the participation of their child in Baseball Oshawa events when heat may be a factor, taking into consideration the age and physical condition of their child. Parents are also responsible for informing their children about playing in the heat and the need to approach it responsibly with sunscreen, proper hydration, and adequate breaks.