softball heat index

[springfield]

Recently, the powers that be instituted a rule for softball, that if the heat index after 11:00 is above 95 degrees, the game is called off. My husband's team just started yesterday and it was called off. At that rate, they won't be able to complete a season. In the summer, it is almost always above 95. Someone said that this rule was due to someone who had a heart attack on the field, which is very sad but may not have been due to the heat.

They might need to use that same rule for pickle ball and golf! I have to sign a waiver each year in order to go to rec activities. The waiver protects TV from law suits. Anyhoo, this rule could really mess up our softball program.

[beekman]

I fully AGREE. Everyone plays at their own risk. Everyone must know their limitations and how they handle the heat. Being in shape for it also is important. Perhaps TV will build a new domed AC softball bubble for games....:) I wish!

[Ooper]

In the summer, it is almost always above 95. Someone said that this rule was due to someone who had a heart attack on the field, which is very sad but may not have been due to the heat.

They might need to use that same rule for pickle ball and golf! I have to sign a waiver each year in order to go to rec activities. The waiver protects TV from law suits. Anyhoo, this rule could really mess up our softball program.

Heat index is just not a function of temperature. It takes into account relative humidity and wind also. It is the apparent temperature that the human feels. It can be over 100 degrees and still have a heat index of lower than 95 with a low humidity. And I do believe that any organized sports, pickle ball, golf, etc., by The Villages follows the same mandates.

[ureout]

seriously....you are complaining about a rule that is for the safety of the players? and for your info the time factor of 11:00 has nothing to do with the rule. There has always been a heat rule of 95 they just changed it to heat index reading of 95. I have been here and have played in the softball program over 11 years and many times have seen players and umpires go down with heat exhaustion....in fact last season one of the umpires spent 2 days in the hospital because of kidney malfunction after he went down...he played his game and then was scheduled to umpire the next....dehydration is a real problem especially in the summertime. I would rather error on the side of caution. As far as pickleball I would imagine any Recreation sanctioned league will soon have same rules. Golf is usually not sanctioned by the rec dept.

[Kelsie52]

It appears to me that they might as well cancel the entire summer season
and the first half of this one because every day reaches that threshold --the rule has been there but never enforced until someone died

Maybe they shoud think about lights so we could play in the evening

[SALYBOW]

My husband plays softball and I am completely impressed with the forethought given in respect to safety. I, for one, am glad they have this rule. I did not come here to lose my hubby. It is a well experienced feeling to not want to appear as a sissy. "Real men don't quit because it gets a little hot." However, real men do have heart attacks. This takes the onus of responsibility off the individual and places it on the organization. Hoorah>

[Teeitup]

Being an organized/sanctioned activity, it is pretty clear why they would want to protect themselves from litigation (by players and employees).

Having said that, maybe those still wanting to play (not so sure about the umps) could sign a waiver?

One would think however that at our age, we have matured to the point where we know when the competitive spirit overtakes common sense (ie: golfing when lightning is present).

Then again. :D

.

[Teeitup]

My husband plays softball and I am completely impressed with the forethought given in respect to safety. I, for one, am glad they have this rule. I did not come here to lose my hubby. It is a well experienced feeling to not want to appear as a sissy. "Real men don't quit because it gets a little hot." However, real men do have heart attacks. This takes the onus of responsibility off the individual and places it on the organization. Hoorah>

I agree.

[mherzberg]

Very good rule to have. Glad to see it enforced - if it is. I'd much rather have a grumpy softball player than a dead one.

[justjim]

I was surprised to find that TV'S golf courses do not have a weather warning systems. Florida is the lightning Capital of the U.S., however, there is no warning sirens of approaching bad weather. Go figure....

[57ChevyFI]

It's a shame they moved the start of the games from 8:30 until 9:00 am so not to disrupt the school kids. I wonder how they came up with 95 degrees index being the magic number?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If they apply this rule to golf, the country clubs will go broke.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

seriously....you are complaining about a rule that is for the safety of the players? and for your info the time factor of 11:00 has nothing to do with the rule. There has always been a heat rule of 95 they just changed it to heat index reading of 95. I have been here and have played in the softball program over 11 years and many times have seen players and umpires go down with heat exhaustion....in fact last season one of the umpires spent 2 days in the hospital because of kidney malfunction after he went down...he played his game and then was scheduled to umpire the next....dehydration is a real problem especially in the summertime. I would rather error on the side of caution. As far as pickleball I would imagine any Recreation sanctioned league will soon have same rules. Golf is usually not sanctioned by the rec dept.

The old rule was based on a temperature reading of 95*. It almost never gets to 95* here. It seems like it is 93 every day. I can't remember seeing the temperature higher then that. The heat index, however rises to 95 almost every day from June through September.
This rule was put in place because a player had a heart attack and died while running the bases. From what I understand, that player had some serious heart conditions including a pacemaker. Maybe a rule banning player with serious heart conditions from playing sports that require running would make more sense.
Kids in high school have to take a physical in order to play sports. Doesn't it make sense that people over the age of 55 should have to do the same.

[Shirleevee]

seriously....you are complaining about a rule that is for the safety of the players? and for your info the time factor of 11:00 has nothing to do with the rule. There has always been a heat rule of 95 they just changed it to heat index reading of 95. I have been here and have played in the softball program over 11 years and many times have seen players and umpires go down with heat exhaustion....in fact last season one of the umpires spent 2 days in the hospital because of kidney malfunction after he went down...he played his game and then was scheduled to umpire the next....dehydration is a real problem especially in the summertime. I would rather error on the side of caution. As far as pickleball I would imagine any Recreation sanctioned league will soon have same rules. Golf is usually not sanctioned by the rec dept.

Amen! I am sure that the family of the people who passed out or died would agree too

[Jim 9922]

Please, don't wrap me up in bubble-wrap. So far in life I've been able to pretty much been able to take care of myself, knowing when to stop or pull back or avoid doing totally stupid things. I know my own capacity and can act accordingly. If something bad happens, it's my own fault and so be it. At least I will go out happy at my own doing. If you are dumb enough to do something stupid, that's what Darwin's laws are for.
I love life and will enjoy it on my own terms.

[asianthree]

I for one am happy for the rule have seen a few go down for heat..and not just the older guys...there have been a couple just sitting watching the game

[DaleMN]

Aw....no World Series this year? :doh:

[ureout]

well it looks like this thread was a waste of time....Today per John Rohan we are going back to old system of 95deg. temp. reading....no more heat index

[Russ_Boston]

well it looks like this thread was a waste of time....Today per John Rohan we are going back to old system of 95deg. temp. reading....no more heat index

Might as well not even have a rule then. The official temp has not reached 95 degrees all summer. The Villages Month Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for FL 32162 (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/the-villages-fl/32162/month/2257923?monyr=9/01/2013)

[graciegirl]

Amen! I am sure that the family of the people who passed out or died would agree too


This death occurred when we were renting here in TV waiting for the house we now live in to be completed.

It was our neighbor across the street that died.

It becomes very real when you know someone who dies from a heart attack or stroke brought on by being overheated.

We need to remember that although we all like to think of ourselves as younger, we aren't as young as we used to be.

Some die hard players won't stop unless the rules stop them from being hurt by the heat.

[janmcn]

This death occurred when we were renting here in TV waiting for the house we now live in to be completed.

It was our neighbor across the street that died.

It becomes very real when you know someone who dies from a heart attack or stroke brought on by the heat index..

We need to remember that although we all like to think of ourselves as younger, we aren't as young as we used to be.

Some die hard players won't stop unless the rules stop them from being hurt by the heat.

I don't play, don't have anyone that plays, Just an old busybiddy.


Softball player Daryl Priestley, age 62, died last Thursday while playing softball at the Saddlebrook Complex.


Statement issued by Recreation Department in 95-heat index controversy - **************: The Villages, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Fruitland Park (http://www.**************.com/95-degree-heat-index-controversy-rages-wftv-9-investigate-controversy/)

[57ChevyFI]

This death occurred when we were renting here in

It becomes very real when you know someone who dies from a heart attack or stroke brought on by the heat index..


SO if the heat index would have been 90 degrees, he wouldn't have died? That's amazing insight. I guess if the heat index would have been 94 everything would have been OK.

[Russ_Boston]

Being only 62 years old that player MUST have had some cardiac history. Or at least had an underlying problem that he was not aware of. Doubt if a cardiac healthy 62 y.o. dies of cardiac issues just from the heat index. Could someone get heat stroke out there? Of course but not the same medical condition.

I do like that players opinion: "I'd rather die rounding the bases than rotting in a nursing home".

[graciegirl]

SO if the heat index would have been 90 degrees, he wouldn't have died? That's amazing insight. I guess if the heat index would have been 94 everything would have been OK.

You addressed this to my post above.

I don't know why the man died who lived across from us two years ago. What are you trying to say? I know he died playing softball and it was referred to as heat related and he might not have died if he was younger.

I think I remember that you posted that you are 49.

Age does make a difference in how you can tolerate the heat and humidity.

[oldyeller]

I think its a good idea also. With the size of the teams and the umps, some players may think its to hot but because of the peer pressure they won't say anything, same with the umps. Golf and pickle ball don't have the same issues. Good rule cut and dry to hot, we are all out of here no fuss no muss!

[TraceyMooreRN]

"I don't know why the man died who lived across from us two years ago."

Sorry for the loss of a friend- but you said he died from a heat related problem, then you say you don't know why the man died.

I agree with not having a cap on the heat index. Smart players and healthy lifestyles need to work hand in hand. Not rules. Most people don't follow rules anyway.

Age plays a part in health. However, so does Smoking, Drinking, Poor Exercise, Poor Diet, Obesity...the list goes on. As a nurse here in TV- I can tell you most of the patients I see are making poor lifestyle decisions or have made them in the past and they are now catching up on them.

I agree with the other nurse- Heat Index was probably not the only factor in the loss of life with the recent softball player. Sorry to see someone pass away at such a young age. Of course- I hate to see anyone pass away. It never gets easier for the family or nurses that care for the patients--no matter what the age.

[graciegirl]

"I don't know why the man died who lived across from us two years ago." It was heat related, whether it was a heart attack or a heat stroke, only a clinician could say. I was just a neighbor who was renting.

Sorry for the loss of a friend- but you said he died from a heat related problem, then you say you don't know why the man died.

I agree with not having a cap on the heat index. Smart players and healthy lifestyles need to work hand in hand. Not rules. Most people don't follow rules anyway.

Age plays a part in health. However, so does Smoking, Drinking, Poor Exercise, Poor Diet, Obesity...the list goes on. As a nurse here in TV- I can tell you most of the patients I see are making poor lifestyle decisions or have made them in the past and they are now catching up on them.

I agree with the other nurse- Heat Index was probably not the only factor in the loss of life with the recent softball player. Sorry to see someone pass away at such a young age. Of course- I hate to see anyone pass away. It never gets easier for the family or nurses that care for the patients--no matter what the age.

"Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body's mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke (1). Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103�F [>39.4�C]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction (2). Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality (2).
Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged 65 years +, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.
During heat waves, young children, older adults, and chronically ill persons should be checked frequently by relatives, neighbors, and caretakers to evaluate their heat exposure, recognize symptoms of heat-related illness, and take appropriate preventive action." Above quote from CDC website.



If you are 38 and 49. this is not as important.

[TraceyMooreRN]

The CDC is a wonderful website to gather information for the non-medical and medical professionals. I will tell you that although the CDC has targeted "high risk" groups it doesn't spell out--co-morbities for non high risk groups (at least in your research). We certainly don't agree on that issue. I will agree "older adults" are at a higher risk for common sense reasoning--but to say it isn't as important if you are younger? Depends on your overall well being-not just your age even for higher risk groups.

I just don't think a sporting event needs to shut down due to a heat index, unless you shut down all the sports for the same thing. Tennis, softball, golf...whatever. Just my opinion.

[Bavarian]

"Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body's mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke (1). Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103�F [>39.4�C]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction (2). Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality (2).
Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged 65 years +, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.
During heat waves, young children, older adults, and chronically ill persons should be checked frequently by relatives, neighbors, and caretakers to evaluate their heat exposure, recognize symptoms of heat-related illness, and take appropriate preventive action." Above quote from CDC website.



If you are 38 and 49. this is not as important.

Ditto. We need to take into account Heat index and let people skip outdoor activity when high. Don't be a hero and play on, life is more important.

Had a mover come for estimate, waiting for it. But she said we should pack all ourselves, so might be awhile.