Dropping the Ball: Hot weather at PSP MAO

Dropping the Ball

The schedules for the PSP Pro Division just came out. Following its normal pattern of assigning games, you either play all four prelims in the morning session or the afternoon session. No worries, right?

Wrong! After warning their database the very real concerns over the heat indices which will facilitate dangerous health conditions, the PSP shows no wiggle room whatsoever. How difficult would it be to schedule each team two in the morning one day and two in the afternoon the other?

This is not about a perceived advantage or disadvantage for team(s). It IS about the safety and well being of those at risk most; the players. The PSP’s release this past week had this to say:

You’ve come so far. Don’t let the other team win because they read this email and you didn’t.

The National Weather Service has categorized this week’s hot and humid weather for Rock Hill, South Carolina as the highest category of danger in the Heat Index which is “Extremely Dangerous” and that “Heat Stroke or Sunstroke are likely (Not “possible” but ‘LIKELY’) for anyone with prolonged exposure outdoor and/or outdoor physical activity”.

And guess what? You’re doing both. So read on…

Hundreds of people die each year from exposure to heat. Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and as a last resort, by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6°F.

Sweating cools the body through evaporation. However, high relative humidity retards evaporation, robbing the body of its ability to cool itself. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, body temperature begins to rise, and heat-related illnesses and disorders may develop.

This is what we need you to do:

1) No kids. Children ages 4 and under are especially vulnerable to overheating because their bodies do not adjust to temperatures as well as adults. We strongly advice parents to NOT bring children under the age of 4 or Senior Citizens to our event this weekend, due to the extreme heat.

2) No energy drinks and/or pop. Slam as much water as you can and remember to mix in Gatorade or Pedialite to replenish your electrolytes. When exercising in this level of heat you need to drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

3) Try to rest often in shady areas. If you begin to feel light headed, let someone know, lay down in the shade and have them bring you water and ice chips.

4) Wear a hat and sunscreen. <>

5) Wear minimal clothing between games to provide greater skin surface area for heat dissipation. Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing to reflect the sun’s rays. Wear clothing made of a material that absorbs water, such as cotton.

6) Let your teammates play. Know when to say ‘no’ and sit a point out. Use common sense to prevent heat stress and an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room.

The PSP then goes on to tell you what YOU should do if it’s too late. The unfortunate scheduling of games ultimately elicits some very serious questions; is the scheduling system so archaic that it cannot adapt to prevailing weather (or safety, in this case) conditions? Is sending out a National Weather Service report all THEY should do?

Another move that would not hurt the league in any way. For the MAO, under these weather conditions, bring back the 2 minutes break between games.

It is more than a bit disconcerting when leadership within the PSP acts as if lip service is enough for playing in what amounts to dangerous conditions. The PSP is a premiere league. We want to see it do well. But this is a time when, even at this close date, a step needs to be taken and an adjustment made.

If as a team owner or player you are in agreement feel free to forward this article to Lane Wright or Camille Lemanski at http://pspevents.com/information/contact/ .