Sporting events continue through the near-record high temperatures in Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Sporting events continue to play through the extreme heat while making sure it's being done in a safe way.
Little League Baseball games are happening Friday night at both Cosmo Park and with Daniel Boone Little League.
When the heat index reaches 90 degrees, the National Weather Service advises individuals to use “extreme caution” if exercising or working outdoors. The heat index Friday is set to reach over 100 degrees.
Chris Wilhelm, a pediatrician at MU Health Care, said while kids are playing in this heat, they are not willing to stop themselves to hydrate and take other precautions, so it is really on the adults around them.
Little league coach and parent, Jason Windsor, said they took it a little lighter on players during warms up. They also advised them to start their hydrating early in the day and continue it throughout the game. They have cooling towels available for players also.
"If a child has a little league baseball game tonight with temperatures in the mid-90s, you should make sure they start drinking water around noon," said Wilhelm.
Wilhelm also said fueling their bodies with sports drinks that contain electrolytes would be beneficial. He said he is an advocate for stopping games in these conditions to have mandatory water breaks.
Paul Blythe, executive director of Diamond Council, said there were decisions to push some games back to later in the day to make sure it was cooler.
Blythe said tournaments are happening Saturday and Sunday so these precautions will be continued throughout the weekend.
Other sporting events have been completely canceled this weekend. Howard County Soccer posted on Facebook that games on Sunday are completely canceled to ensure the safety of players and spectators.
