Department of Weather-Related Marital Power Struggles

And if I couldn't stop them I'd increase their life insurance policy today before the game.

Slo-pitch softball is not a contact sport. It requires occasional running, but if you are already 50 you know (1) how fast you can run, (2) how far you can run, and, most importantly, (3) how far you can run fast. If the game starts at 6:00 PM, it can still be dangerous to be out in this heat, but not much more than normal wandering around. If the game starts closer to sundown, the risks are lessened.

Just remember some common sense rules: stay in the shade whenever possible, drink tons of water, and avoid entangling alliances. (Which has some effect on the second poll question.)

In other words, "Listen to your body."

I agree with the above post. Unless you have some pre-existing condition like asthma or chronic obstructive lung disorder, or are very overweight, you should be fine.

And, drink lots of water!

I play for the Cubs in the GR slow-pitch over-30 league, the Dodgers eliminated us last night (14-4), and it was hot, but really not that bad, and I caught the whole game.

Frankly, I've played in much worse. The regular pick-up game on Sunday afternoons in Edgemont Park (that was killed off by the town about 10 years ago after a 30-year run) could be brutal. The sun is much more merciful at 6:30.

They play, for example, NFL, college football and major league baseball games in such weather. And during 19 months in Nam, I never once heard of any ground operation cancelled because of a heat forecast. Why, I even doubt that either Hezbollah or the Israeli Defense Forces worries much this week about the THI, or the Tamil Tigers or the jihadists in Iraq.

You were kidding, right? Hoping to get the sort of responses you got above offering advice, plus others even more coddling in nature and tone? The world moves on whatever the temperature.

Surely, the male ego precludes any such thoughts of cancellation. Surely, too, no one here truly wishes to dampen all expressions of such ego, even via something as innocuous and fun for its participants as a softball game.

And let me add my congratulations, Ms. Galant, for being named by The New Yorker as being "one of the most esteemed 'hyperlocal bloggers' in the country." That the article was written by the dean of the Graduate School of Journalism of Columbia University (and not by your husband, as excellent a journalist and softball player as he may be) only makes the kudo more impressive. I am honored to putz around in an online forum with such excellent (and occasional) adult supervision. Now, if I could only find out what "hyperlocal" means. Cathar, you went to Columbia, you fill us in...

How about a comment from someone who is over 50 and still plays softball. If you play within your limits, you can play for a long time. Our thirdbaseman is 72 and can still make the throw to first. (He is a little slower than most of us.) We have played in 100+ temps in the blazing sun. Do not put limits on people!!

Obviously, I am biased, but let me second those congrats (do you have a link?), and I think last night's coverage of the problems on Church Street is a great example of what a good hyperlocal (meaning focused even tighter than the "local" news) blog can do better than anyone else.

Let me also second your praise (both journalistic and at softball) for my fellow GRS-PO-30L "Cubbie", Warren. We sure could have used him last night!

I wonder, Conan, if the phrase shouldn't more properly be "hypedly local." Even (maybe veen especially) if it comes from the dean of a school lately devoted to turning out more incipient Geraldos and Bill Kellers than ever before.

Agreed, Danny! I am almost at the 50 mark myself and my BF...well, let's say he's a few years older than me. We both run in this weather (not as fast, mind you, but we still get out there). And yes, he KICKS MY BUTT! I have to struggle to keep up with HIM...so there!

We do try to run in early morning or late afternoon, though, never at peak sun/heat hours. Sure beats sitting around in a hot apartment.

My husband is closer to 40 than 50, but he plays softball in this weather as well. I was concerned about him last night, but he came home in good spirits and pretty well-hydrated.

So, I'm a concerned, but supportive spouse :)

I would love to see the statistics of people who answered "Yes" to the "Is it dangerous" question, and "Yes " again to the "would you let them play" question.

Dear Barista: My mother is 104. Do you think it is wise to allow her to continue her marathon training in this heat? Eagerly awaiting your reply.

Fondly,

Anthony Marshall

Dear Barista: My mother is 104. Do you think it is wise to allow her to continue her marathon training in this heat? Eagerly awaiting your reply.

Fondly,

Anthony Marshall

My mother is 116 and is also running the marathon this year. As long as she keeps her runs under 10 miles, I don't see a problem.

Yes! to Anthony Marshal & to Bluestate however you should keep her training to over 10 miles That way she'll be in top form

We should all burrow underground on days like this.

No electricity required: temperature in the cave stays between 12.7ºC and 18ºC, so visitors are encouraged to carry light jackets even in summertime.

Was it negligent of me to send my kid to sports camp today? I packed some nitro-glycerine in his lunch just in case.

My post was mostly a joke although my bf, who is 56, typically rides a 50 mile stretch on his bike without much trouble, is not out riding today despite his need to train for a century later this month.

Just know the signs of heat exhaustion before going out to play. It can be deadly and it sneaks up on you because you stop noticing how hot you are.

walleroo,

did he get a bang out of lunch or did you get a visit from DYFUS?