Playing with the elements: how to smartly adapt to the weather as a coach

The weather might just be the most underrated opponent on the baseball or softball field.

☀️ Sun and heat – sweat smart

There’s nothing quite like a sunny game day.But once it’s over 25 degrees, the field can sometimes turn into an oven.

Tips:

• Make sure you have sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and caps ready.

• Have players pre-cool: drink something cold before the warm-up.

• When it’s >30°C: cooling vests or wet towels in the dugout work wonders.

• Plan drink breaks smartly, even between innings.

Example:
During a tournament in June, we had a back-to-back game on artificial turf.The heat was rising.Thanks to cold bottles of water and ice towels in the dugout, everyone stayed sharp.The crowd seemed to have it tougher than us ;)

🌬️ Wind – let the ball work for you

Wind can be tricky but also strategic.Field positions shift, hitters gain extra power or lose some.

Tips:

• Wind at your back? Move the outfield deeper.

• Crosswind? Practice extra communication on pop-ups.

• Adjust your pitching: curveballs react differently.

Example:
With strong crosswind, our left fielder played about 5 meters further to the right.A tricky flyball that would have otherwise been mishandled was now caught cleanly.Small tweak, big impact.

🌧️ Rain – don’t slip up

When it’s raining, it’s all about being prepared.You don’t want to hit the field when the balls get slick.

Tips:

• Towel in the dugout (or tucked into your waistband).

• Bring extra gloves and dry balls.

• Keep a resin bag ready for your pitcher.

Example:
During a rainy practice, our catcher kept the balls dry with a towel tucked under his chest protector, in his back pocket, or between his belt and pants.Simple and effective.

❄️ Cold weather – stay warm, play smart

Cold muscles are slow muscles.Surely when the temperature drops below 50°F, you need to coach a bit differently.

Tips:

• Extend the warm-up with some extra running drills.

• Keep gloves or hand warmers handy in the dugout.

• Use shorter rotations and swap players more often.

Example:
On a freezing opening day in late March, we kicked off with a 20-minute warm-up instead of 10.Result: no injuries AND sharp right from inning 1.

💨 High humidity – sticky situations

It feels muggy, everything is clammy, and the balls slip right out of your hand.Time for smart solutions.

Tips:

• Use dry grip or sweatbands.

• Switch balls more often.

• Extra hydration breaks: you dry out faster than you think.

Example:
A player forgot to bring extra socks.Result: blisters after 6 innings of a tournament.Since then, it’s been a staple on the team checklist.

⚡️ Thunderstorm – safety first

Storm rolling in?No debate.Leaving the field and finding shelter.

Tips:

• Use CoachBall for an early warning.

• Let parents and players know about this before the season starts—clear communication makes everyone’s life easier.

• Check the field before you resume play.

Example:
Thanks to a push notification in the team chat, we stopped practice 10 minutes before the first thunderclap.Other teams showed up to the field for nothing…

Coachball: your assistant for any weather

The CoachBall app automatically shows the weather for each game and team practice, giving you clear tips for every situation:

• What gear you need to bring along.

• What you can communicate to parents or players beforehand.

• And which strategy you can call as a coach.

This way, you don’t just stand stronger on the field—you’re also the coach who’s always ready for whatever comes your way.And that feels like a win even before the first pitch is thrown.