Is Your Athlete Ready for the Heat? Top Hydration Hacks & Safety Tips for Scorching Summer Tournaments
- Get Hooked Community
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
NCAA’s New Heat Safety Rules + Pro-Approved Strategies to Keep Players Safe in Record-Breaking Temperatures
The Heat Crisis Hitting Softball
June 2025 is rewriting the record books: With 23 states under heat advisories and turf fields hitting 140°F, the NCAA just rolled out emergency guidelines for outdoor sports. The trigger? A spike in heat-related hospitalizations at youth tournaments last month, including a viral incident where a 16U catcher collapsed mid-game in Texas.
What’s New in the NCAA Guidelines (And Why It Matters)
1️⃣ Mandatory “Cool Zones”: Teams must provide shaded rest areas with ice baths within 50 feet of dugouts.
2️⃣ Hydration Checks: Coaches must document water breaks every 20 minutes (yes, document).
3️⃣ Time Adjustments: Games between 12pm-4pm in heat-risk zones now max at 90 minutes.
Hydration Hacks That Go Beyond Water Bottles
🚰 The 24-Hour Rule: The game-day formula:
Pre-Game: 16oz electrolyte drink 2 hours before first pitch (try Electrolyte Mix or BioSteel).
During: 4-6oz water or electrolyte mix every 15 minutes (set phone timers!).
Post-Game: Chocolate milk or Orgain Protein Shakes to replenish sodium/sweat loss.
💧 Sneaky Hydration Boosters:
Freeze grapes or watermelon cubes for dugout snacks.
Soak bandanas in ice water + peppermint oil (instant neck cooler).
TPM RECOMMENDATION: OUR FAVORITE DRINK CHOICE IS ARBONNE
Here is our link to purchase your hydration and nutritious products:
Save 10% by applying promo code “Arbonne10” to your order!
TPM Fastpitch Recommended Hydration Products:
TPM Fastpitch recommendation: Our go-to hydration recommendation is Sport Hydration from Arbonne featuring a blend of electrolytes including sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium plus botanicals like cayenne, ginseng and turmeric to support circulation, joints and physical performance.
Product Name: Sport Hydration
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
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 20 stick packs for $45 |
Please see the product information and links for suggested products for hydration, nutrition and safe and clean energy boosting drinks.
Product Name: EnergyFizz Ginseng Fizz Sticks - Mango Peach Flavor – Best Seller
For an often needed energy boost, TPM Fastpitch recommends EnergyFizz sticks by Arbonne, available in a variety of great-tasting flavors. EnergyFizz is designed to help increase energy levels, relieve fatigue, promote alertness and enhance cognitive performance with clean ingredients for a calm energy boost.
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
|---|---|
 30 stick packs for $69 |
Safety Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed
Cooling Vests: ($24.99-$69) fits under jerseys and stays cold for 2 hours.
Option 1 - Product Name: Cooling Vest for Men & Women, Ice Reflective Vest with 24 PCS Ice Packs, Cool Jacket for Hot Weather with Pockets, Unisex Adult Workout Apparel – Amazon’s Choice
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
|---|---|
 $24.99 |
Option 2 - Product Name: Original Cooling Ice Vest
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
|---|---|
 $69.99 |
Nike UV Protection Sleeve - Nike Pro Adult Dri-FIT Arm Sleeve: line blocks rays without sacrificing mobility.
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
|---|---|
 $69.99 |
Nike Women's Hyperdiamond 4 Pro MCS Softball Cleats:
PRODUCT PHOTO & PRICE | PRODUCT LINK - BUY NOW |
|---|---|
 $69.99 |
Coaches’ Corner: How to Spot (and Stop) Heat Illness
Early Signs:
“Gatorade tongue” (white, sticky saliva)
Sudden irritability or clumsiness
Fewer bathroom breaks than usual
Emergency Protocol:
1. Move athlete to shade immediately.
2. Remove excess gear + apply ice packs to neck/wrists.
3. Sip (don’t chug) 8oz electrolyte drink.
4. If dizziness persists after 15 mins, seek medical help.
Downloadable Resource: The Heat Action Plan and Tip Sheet (printable PDF).
Bottom Line
Heat safety isn’t “soft” – it’s smart. With tournaments getting hotter and seasons longer, these strategies could mean the difference between a clutch RBI and an ambulance ride. Share this blog post article with your team’s group chat, and let’s keep the diamond safe this summer.
Blog Post Written by
Get Hooked Community Team
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