Heat Policy
 
Softball is a summer sport, and it is therefore inevitable some games will be scheduled for play during extreme heat conditions.
This document is designed to serve as the guideline for Extreme Heat.  This guideline applies to teams, officials, and volunteers.  This document indicates what members should consider when assessing Extreme Heat Events (EHE) at all Calgary Minor Softball events and awareness of potential health impacts.  Calgary Minor Softball has the right to cancel all sanctioned activities based on their assessment of Extreme Heat Events.
Considerations that may go into such decisions are:

1. Is there a breeze (or is it still air), is there shade, is there ability for hydration, what time of the day is the competition, how long between events, what type of events are being run, etc.
2. Officials, how many are there, what is the rotation through the day, is there shade available, ability to hydrate, rest breaks, etc.

Decision Making Steps:

1. Go to https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca and find your specific location.
2. Check the current temperature with specific focus on the “feels like” temperature which accounts for the humidity in measuring temperature.
3. It is the responsibility of Calgary Minor Softball Executive Director or designate to monitor local temperatures and advice membership when events are cancelled.
4. Review the EHE activity chart for the appropriate activity modifications.  Extreme Heat Events Activity Chart Humidex Value Discomfort at rest risk of overheating during exercise activity modification.

 

Humidex Value	Discomfort at rest	Risk of overheating during exercise	Activity Modification
Below 24 C	None	Low	N/A
25C to 29C	None	Low to Moderate	Drink Breaks should be considered
30C to 34C	Some	Moderate - Athletes should be monitored	Drink Breaks OR Cooling Breaks midway through each half inning.
35C to 39C	High	High - Athletes should be monitored closely	Cooling Breaks midway through each half inning AND consider reduced game times.
40C +	EXTREME	EXTREME	ALL ACTIVITY CANCELLED

 

1. Calgary Minor Softball Executive Director or designate will post to website and social media sites when games and practices are required to be cancelled or postponed. 
2. Drink breaks – Competition rules will allow “drink” breaks of no more than one minute for players to rehydrate; these are different from cooling breaks.
3. Cooling breaks – in the interest of player welfare and safety, competition rules may allow, in certain weather conditions (high humidity and temperatures), cooling breaks usually lasting ninety seconds to two minutes to allow the body’s temperature to fall; these are different from drink breaks.
4. Preventive Measures:
   1. Where possible games and practices should be scheduled for cooler times of the day (evenings).
   2. Playing in hot conditions both increases the risk of heat illness and impairs performance.  Events should attempt to be organized at a time when less heat stress and exposure is expected.  Events should be rescheduled where the heat stress is extreme. 
   3. If tournaments are being played in moderate or high conditions there should be consideration to reduced games times and a minimum amount of rest, recommended 2 hours between games.
   4. Lightweight, breathable clothing is needed when training and playing in hot conditions.  This type of clothing allows evaporative cooling to occur (evaporation of sweat).  Heavier items of clothing can limit heat loss through this source.
   5. Ensuring that players, coaches, officials, and volunteers are hydrated is an important strategy.  It is essential to recognize that even well-hydrated individuals can be affected by heat illness. 
5. Warning Signs and Symptoms Heat-related illness
   1. Information below from the CDC shows what to watch for and how to handle the various stages of heat related illnesses.  Suggestion would to be print this chart and keep with you or your team at all times.