Across the state, high school sports now have new rules around heat and outside play.
“Nobody ever wants to miss a game. Nobody ever wants to postpone a practice, but the important thing that we have to keep the forefront is the health and safety of these students’ coaches and fans,” says Ryan Tos, CIF Central Section Commissioner.
The new CIF guidelines advise schools to move outdoor practices to cooler times, like early morning or late evening. They also require schools to postpone or cancel practice if it gets too hot outside. In the past each school or district had its own regulations, now, there is a single standard for all.
“Sometimes a school would go play over in a different district and they would have different policies so now the policies are the same,” says Tos.
Schools are now required to use this a special thermometer called a Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer. It tracks temperature, wind speed, humidity, sun angle and even cloud cover.
“This is a lot more accurate,” says Marr.