Heat Safety Policy

We are working on finalizing this policy with the technology side of things. 

Until then, the mandatory hydration requirements must be followed. 

Stay tuned for more updates 

 

FMYSA Baseball & Softball Heat Safety Policy

Safety is the number one priority at FMYSA.

FMYSA will use Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine heat-related practice restrictions. WBGT accounts for air temperature, humidity, direct sunlight and wind and provides a better measurement of heat stress on an athlete than air temperature or heat index alone.

This policy is based on current UIL heat-safety guidelines, with additional FMYSA requirements intended to protect our youth athletes.

Mandatory Hydration Requirements

These requirements apply regardless of the WBGT level:

  • Players shall participate for no more than 15–20 continuous minuteswithout a mandatory hydration/rest break.
  • Players have unrestricted access to water at all times. A player never has to wait until the scheduled break to get water.
  • Hydration breaks are for rest and hydration. Players should not be performing drills or conditioning during the break.
  • Shade should be utilized whenever reasonably available.
  • Coaches should reduce practice intensity when conditions warrant.
  • Any player who feels overheated, dizzy, weak, nauseated or otherwise unwell must be allowed to stop immediately.
  • Coaches may shorten, modify or cancel practice whenever they believe conditions are unsafe.

FMYSA WBGT Heat Levels

GREEN — WBGT Below 82.0°F

Normal Practice

  • Normal baseball and softball activities are permitted.
  • Mandatory hydration/rest breaks at least every 15–20 minutes.
  • Players have unrestricted access to water.
  • Coaches should continuously observe players for signs of heat illness.

YELLOW — WBGT 82.0°F–86.9°F

Elevated Heat Precautions

  • Practice may continue with increased caution.
  • Mandatory hydration/rest breaks at least every 15–20 minutes.
  • Reduce unnecessary conditioning and prolonged high-intensity drills.
  • Utilize shade whenever possible.
  • Players showing signs of heat stress must immediately stop participating and be evaluated.

ORANGE — WBGT 87.0°F–90.0°F

Significant Heat Restrictions

  • Maximum outdoor practice duration: 2 hours.
  • At least four separate rest/hydration breaks per hour.
  • FMYSA’s 15–20 minute maximum between hydration breaks still applies.
  • High-intensity conditioning should be significantly reduced or eliminated.
  • Coaches should modify practices toward lower-intensity skill and instructional work.
  • Catchers should receive additional opportunities to remove protective equipment and cool down.

RED — WBGT 90.1°F–92.0°F

Severe Heat Restrictions

  • Maximum outdoor practice duration: 1 hour.
  • At least 20 minutes of the hour must consist of distributed rest/hydration breaks.
  • No conditioning activities.
  • Practices should primarily consist of lower-intensity baseball or softball instruction and skill work.
  • Catchers should not remain in full protective equipment for prolonged periods.
  • Coaches should strongly consider postponing practice until conditions improve.

BLACK — WBGT 92.1°F OR HIGHER

NO OUTDOOR PRACTICES

All FMYSA outdoor practices must stop.

Practices must be canceled, postponed or moved to an appropriate climate-controlled indoor facility.

Players may not participate in an outdoor team workout, conditioning session or organized practice while WBGT remains at or above 92.1°F.

There are no exceptions based on team, coach or age division.

Checking WBGT

FMYSA coaches shall use the UIL-recommended UNC WBGT Forecasting Tool as the league’s standard online WBGT source unless an approved on-site WBGT meter is being used.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE WBGT FOR YOUR PRACTICE LOCATION⁠

Coaches should select the specific location of their practice field rather than relying on a general regional temperature or the temperature displayed by a weather app.

WBGT must be checked:

  1. Within 15 minutes before practice begins.
  2. At least every 30 minutes during practice.

If the WBGT moves into a more restrictive category during practice, the team must immediately begin following the requirements of the higher category.

If WBGT reaches 92.1°F or higher, outdoor practice must immediately stop.

Coaches are encouraged to document their WBGT readings throughout practice.

Regular air temperature and “feels like” temperature are not substitutes for WBGT.

Rapid Cooling & Heat Emergencies

When WBGT is 82.0°F or higher, teams should have immediate access to a rapid-cooling method for a player experiencing a heat emergency.

Ice, cold water, cooling towels and access to shade should be readily available whenever possible.

Coaches should watch for symptoms of heat-related illness, including:

  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Unusual weakness or extreme fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle cramping
  • Loss of coordination
  • Fainting or collapse
  • Abnormal behavior or altered mental status

If a player begins experiencing concerning symptoms, their participation must stop immediately.

Suspected heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 and begin rapid cooling immediately while awaiting emergency medical assistance.

Coach & FMYSA Authority

The WBGT levels in this policy establish the maximum conditions under which outdoor practices may occur. They do not require a practice to continue.

A coach or FMYSA official may shorten, modify, postpone or cancel an activity whenever conditions appear unsafe, regardless of the WBGT reading.

No player should ever be pressured to continue participating when they feel overheated or unwell.

SAFETY IS FMYSA’S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

No practice, game or workout is more important than the health and safety of our players.