GreenJackets fans, players, reporter brave the heat

From my usual perch in the press box atop Lake Olmstead Stadium, I found myself in a heat-induced stupor Sunday afternoon as the Augusta GreenJackets prepared for their game against the Hickory Crawdads.

It was easily the hottest game so far this season, and I tried to prepare. With the largest sized lemonade Centerplate offers, I climbed the stairs to the non-airconditioned press box. Fittingly, Tracy Byrd was belting out “Watermelon Crawl” over the loudspeakers and the words “on a day hot enough to make the devil sigh” caught my attention. I sighed... but not in an evil way.

Once I reached the press box, I fired up the laptop to see just how hot it was. At the time of the first pitch, 5:37 p.m., weather.com showed a temperature of 99 degrees and a heat index of 101 with fair conditions.

No, weather.com, that’s not fair.

An impressive crowd of 1,611 still made it out to the ballpark. That’s below average for a GreenJackets game but well above average for an oven. Credit the GreenJackets staff for at least attempting to make it more comfortable thanks to the installation of those massive propeller-sized fans that spin above each section.

Of course, the heat wasn’t limited to the press box and bleachers. I’m sure it was even hotter on the field. The GreenJackets were prepared for it.

“Yes, to the degree that you can prepare for something like that,” GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels said. “We do try to emphasize the importance of getting enough sleep and getting enough to eat. It’s something we definitely pay close attention to.”

My deepest sympathies went out to the Hickory Crawdads (who decided on black jerseys?) and GreenJackets starting catcher Jackson Williams. Not only did Williams play in the heat, but he did so wearing the face mask, chest protector and other necessary equipment that served as inescapably effective insulation.

Williams still managed a 2-for-4 day at the plate and brushed off any suggestion that the heat was a factor.

“Before the game is when it’s tough because there’s nothing else going on, but once the game starts you don’t have time to think about it,” he said. “You just try to keep dry and stock up on water to keep hydrated.”

Trainer Eric Ortega made sure the GreenJackets were properly hydrated, and he must have done a fine job. The home team won 2-1 (Williams scored the winning run) to finish a three-game sweep. Even for the last pitch, which came at 7:52 p.m., the temperature was still 93 degrees with a 96-degree heat index. 

Fortunately for the GreenJackets, they may escape some of the heat when they head to the mountains of Asheville, N.C. for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Thursday’s high in Asheville is supposed to be 78 degrees.

Now if we can just get July, August and September to cooperate.