Keeping Cool at the Ball Field!
- softballmoms643
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
How to Keep Your Player (and Yourself) Cool at the Ball Field
If you're a baseball or softball mom, you know long tournament days under the blazing sun are no joke. Staying cool isn’t just about comfort it’s about safety. Whether you’re in the bleachers or your kid’s behind the plate or on the field, these tips will help everyone beat the heat and stay game-ready.
Browse all of our top picks for keeping you cool on our LinkTree Collection here. https://tr.ee/9jIcyr
💧 1. Hydrate Before You Bake
Don’t wait until the first inning to start hydrating. Begin hydrating 24–48 hours before a hot game day. Staying ahead of dehydration is key to avoiding heat exhaustion and keeping performance levels high. Encourage your player to alternate between water and drinks that contain electrolytes (like Pedialyte or Liquid I.V.). Electrolytes help the body retain fluid and replace essential minerals lost through sweat.
Don't forget to always pack items in your cooler that can help replenish electrolytes naturally. Foods rich in electrolytes include fruits like bananas, avocados, and oranges; vegetables like spinach and sweet potatoes; dairy products like milk and yogurt; and other options like coconut water, nuts, and seeds. These foods provide essential minerals like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which are vital for hydration, nerve function, and muscle health.
🌿 2. Make Your Own Florida Water Cooling Spray
This old-school recipe is a game-changer for quick cooling. Mist it on the back of the neck, inside helmets, or on hats during breaks.
Don't have time to make it yourself? A great hack is to use Florida Water Cologne pictured below (https://amzn.to/45vvtmb). Mix one part Florida Water Cologne with three parts regular water to create a quick and simple solution for use with cooling rags or in spray bottles. Be sure to label the mixture as "Not for Drinking" to prevent accidental ingestion. I store it in a small cooler or cooler bag with ice, separate from food, along with the Florida Water solution and cooling rags for easy access. Alternatively, you can keep it in a spray bottle to mist yourself and your player throughout the day.
🧊 3. Cool Packs & Cool Catcher Products
Reusable cooling packs tucked inside helmets, placed under the chest protector, on the back of the neck, or inside hats can provide fast relief. There are also cooling skull caps many members have raved about, and there are so many awesome products that players can use while they are playing in the heat.
Have a catcher? Cool Catcher-type pads (found here https://amzn.to/4nlrzTt) are specially designed for catchers to stay cool under their gear.
Pro tip: Keep them in your cooler and swap them between innings. There are also products like cooling neck rings, neck fans, frog tog cooling towels, clipable dugout fans, misting fans, circular cooling pads to swap out throughout the day between the cooler and your player, as well as many more products found on our LinkTree Collection here https://linktr.ee/BaseballMoms . These are all tallied from member recommendations in our groups.
🥤 4. Camelbak or Hydration Backpack for Catchers
A genius hack: Strap a CamelBak or hydration backpack to the backstop and loop the straw through the fence so your catcher can have super easy and fast access to water without removing gear or stepping off the field. Just make sure it’s secure and doesn’t interfere with play. This is also a great option for umpires in the heat.
💨 5. Dugout Fan Power
Bring battery-powered fans or clip-on rechargeable fans to hang from the dugout fence. Misting fans are even better, just add water and let the breeze + mist combo do the work. Portable fans also keep moms and siblings happy in the bleachers! If you truly want a little slice of heaven to beat the heat, also check out the belt clip fan, which blows air up your shirt and can clip on your belt, top of pants, or has an optional strap to wear around your neck. It is AMAZING! You can find it as well as all of our top picks from our groups here https://tr.ee/9jIcyr
6. Grab a Portable Cooling Pad or Cooling Chair
This is one of those new inventions that have absolutely amazing reviews! It is a portable solution and can be bought as just a cooling pad to put on your current chair, to put on the bleachers, or could be used in the dugout as well for your player to sit on. The other option is to get an entire cooling chair from Ecto. All you need is some ice water to stick the tube in (from a small cooler or larger water bottle), and the water circulates througout the device, keeping you nice and cool in the blazing heat.
🧠 7. Watch for Heat Exhaustion
Know the signs:
Heavy sweating or no sweating at all
Nausea or vomiting
Headache or dizziness
Confusion or fainting
If symptoms appear, act FAST cool down with cooling towels, ice packs, fans, hydration, and seek medical help if needed.
☀️ Final Tips for Hot Game Days
Keep a cooler stocked with cooling towels, fruit slices, and drinks.
Shade is gold, so bring a pop-up tent, umbrella, or find a tree.
Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing helps regulate temperature, with a cooling rag dipped in Florida Water, cooling down can be fast and easy.
You can’t stop the summer sun, but with a little prep and the right tools, you can keep everyone safe, sharp, and ready to bring the heat on the field, not from the weather!
This blog may contain afilliate links.