Staying Cool During Baseball Games

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Written by Maggie Potter

“Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the park…”

Unless it feels like a hot and sweaty nightmare!

The average Major League Baseball (MLB) season runs from March to September each year. While the late Spring and early Autumn months can be comfortable for game-goers, most people recognize baseball as a summer sport.

Unfortunately, waiting in long lines, sitting in open bleachers, and having the hot mid-day sun blaring down on you doesn’t always make for an enjoyable experience. While only one game in history has ever been canceled due to heat, that doesn’t mean games that are played today are any more comfortable or cool!

A few popular MLB teams have indoor stadiums, including teams that typically play in warm climates, like the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Miami Marlins. Indoor venues allow the whole stadium to be temperature-controlled so it stays nice and cool. But with so many other teams in the league opting for traditional outdoor fields, what can fans do to stay cool and beat the heat?

Protect Yourself From the Sun

When the UV index is high, it can take as little as 15 minutes for your skin to burn from the sun without protection. Even if you’re sitting in a shady area of the stadium, if the sun’s rays are beating down on you at all, you run the risk of getting burned. Additionally, hotter temperatures increase your risk of a heat stroke if your internal temperature reaches 105 degrees or higher.

Protecting yourself from the sun is one of the best ways to stay cool and safe at a baseball game. Thankfully, you don’t have to pack a lot of protective gear to make a difference.

Hats, for example, are a great way to protect both your head and protect your eyes from UV rays. They can provide a little bit of shade so the top of your head doesn’t burn. You can double up on eye protection by wearing sunglasses with UV lenses or with contact lenses with UV protection.

Other protective gear you should utilize includes:

• Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Clothes that cover arms and legs
• Cool-gel packs or ice packs
• Personal misters/fans

If at all possible, try to avoid being directly in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. While many ball games are played during that time, it’s when the sun is at its hottest and can cause the most damage if you’re not properly protected. Try to find shade wherever and whenever you can, especially if you aren’t wearing sunscreen or a hat.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration may be the most important thing you can do to stay safe at a hot baseball game. While many stadiums across the country serve beverages like beer, sodas, and sports drinks, those options can actually dehydrate you. Yes, even some sports drinks won’t quench your thirst because they’re full of sugar instead of electrolytes. Plus, they’re often laden with excess calories and the pH levels aren’t good for your teeth.

Water is best for staying hydrated in hot weather. On a hot day, you should drink anywhere from 8-10 glasses of water, and supplement it with foods that have high water content. That includes:

• Fresh fruit or fruit cups
• Jell-O
• Popsicles
• Fresh vegetables
• Italian Ice

The good news is, you can get some of those treats at your favorite ballpark, so you can cool off while staying hydrated.

If you start to feel dizzy or light-headed, or your heartbeat starts racing during the game, you could be experiencing early signs of dehydration, which isn’t uncommon on hot days. Make sure to drink a lot of water immediately to combat the symptoms and give your body the hydration it needs.

Better Ballpark Amenities

Baseball might be America’s favorite pastime, but it’s important for the MLB and minor leagues to keep younger generations interested in the game. Having unique and exciting amenities and attractions at parks across the country can help to entice families to come to more games. The experience of the game itself needs to change in order for kids to continue to love it.

One option that fans of all ages can enjoy is a splash pad or water area. Arizona’s Chase Field currently has a swimming pool on-site, but it’s typically reserved for groups and parties and can be costly to use.

Perhaps larger parks should take a page from the minor leagues. The South Bend Cubs (Indiana) started revamping their stadium in 2011 when new ownership took over the team. One popular addition to the grounds is a splash pad for kids and adults to enjoy. South Bend isn’t exactly a city at risk for heatwaves, but the temperatures can reach into the 80s and 90s in the summer, so the splash pad always sees a lot of use. Plus, it’s a way to keep kids entertained while making sure they stay cool and safe.