Really hot.
Summer is far from over and the heat is always part of our sport. You can really never beat the heat totally until the game is done but below is my guild for getting you and your kid thru the worst times.
I'll keep it simple. Stay cool as you can. Drink water. Know the signs of heat related problems. As soon as you can, get out of the heat when done playing.
Staying cool: Shade is the key. Find some during offensive innings and between games. If you are out of the sun lots of radiate heat and the suns effects can't zap more energy, water and even cause burns.
Hopefully you have parents that have tarps, umbrella's and shade tents. Use them! Use rags and other objects with COOL water on them to bring your body temp down. Remove as much gear as you can (catchers gear, batting helm) when they aren't needed.
Drink water: Hydrate! You must. This will ruin your preformace faster than anything and will cause onset of heat problems quicker. When you sweat, you lose water and salt (electrolytes) both need to be replaced. Prehydration is key to really hot days. Drink lots of water before the weekend games. If you do this your fluid levels will be easier to maintain.
If you are thirsty, its too late! you already dehydrated. What do I mean by this? Thirst is a telltale sign that you need fluids. With the increased loss during hot days, by the time you realize you need water, its too late. Get some water in you. Sports drinks are ok, but even better if mixed with water during game times. As silly as it sounds, don't drink ice cold water...why? Your body must cool this water taking more energy to find out where it needs to be. Leading further to zapped energy.
Signs to really bad to sever dehydration is extreme thirst, headaches and irritability. Any further than this you are ask inf or heat problems that take lots longer than a few bottles of water or gatorade to fix you up.
Under normal conditions a normal adult, needs 1 gallon of water a day. Under the conditions we have seen lately, you can need two times that.
Heat related issues: Minor to major!(CDC)
Heat exhaustion (cramps or fainting) - the 1st sign a problem is going on. This can be obtained in not very hot temps and onset can be due to dehydration. You feel dizzy, light headed and cramp. Vomitting can happen too as it progresses. Quickly reversible but care and caution needs to be taken as it can happen very quickly again if steps are not take to be removed from heat or the player wants to play again.
1st aid- Get them out of the heat, into air conditioning and have them hydrate and place cool rags on person. Sit or lie down.
Heat Stress - Brought on by dehydration, high temps and heavy work load. A physiological change takes place in the body too. Blood pressure rises, sweating occurs, people get dizzy and confused. They can can be pale and complain of being tired. This is pretty urgent and action must take place quickly.
1st aid- Get them to a cool spot, in the air conditioning. Drink water, or sports drink. Showers, lots of water and cold cloths work well here.
Heat stoke- a MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Hot skin and dry and red skin! No sweating will be going on. Chills, confusion and head aches will be common. Bodies core temp will be rising and can rise to permanent damage area quickly. Medical attention is needed quickly.
1st aid- CALL 911
Dampen or wetten their clothes, get in a cool place and have them sit or lie down. Make this person comfortable.
At this point the person and their body is past the point of thermoregulation. I cannot stress enough that they need medical help immediately.
After the game and in between games, get them to cool areas. Most preferred that air condition be used. Shade and a fan is also useful in this down time. Make sure they get some small snacks (such as fruit or a granola bar) and fluid is taken in. Relaxing at this time goes a long way.
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