Boys of summer are able to take the heat

They may be the boys of summer, but technically it's still spring on the calendar for a few more days.

Don't tell that to anyone participating in the NEMCABB Region 4 Tournament at Carlisle Stadium on Thursday.

With the heat index approaching 110 degrees, the conditions were pretty brutal to be doing anything outdoors, especially athletic ac- tivity.

Starkville High School head baseball coach Luke Adkins

is aware of the weather, but he said the best way to handle whatever it presents is not to discuss it.

“I had to remind them before we started the day that when it's really cold, I don't like us to talk about it and when it's hot, I don't like to talk about it,” Adkins said. “Every time I hear about one of them talk about how hot it is, that adds to our conditioning for the next week.”

Baseball is not as dangerous as some of the other sports as the players are constantly running and they do get to enter the dugout when not on the field defensively.

Still, it's important to keep a close watch on athletes this time of the year so they are not overcome by the heat.

Adkins does remind the Yellow Jackets of the importance of drinking plenty of fluids and staying hydrated.

The SHS players have appeared to take that advice to heart. Larkin Perry, who pitches and plays n the outfield, said he keeps a water bottle on him constantly.

“I try to drink as much as I can the night before, the day of and in the dugout,” Perry said.

The bottom line is it's going to be hot this time of year. It's June in Mississippi and it's not going to be 60-70 degrees during the day. It just doesn't happen.

It's something that players like Kieran Coleman of the Jackets have accepted.

“I'm used to playing summer ball so it's not a big deal,” Coleman said.

With many youth Dizzy Dean State Tournaments taking place around the area the next several days, it's important for teams and fans alike to be smart and not become overwhelmed by the rising temperatures.

Baseball is a fun sport to watch and participate, but safety should always be the top priority.