OUR VIEW: August heat plays a factor in training

» Athletic trainers should be commended for their work keeping our youth safe during the hot August training camps

August is a great month. Not just because parents get to breathe again when children go back to school, but because it spells the return of football to the county. Both Culpeper County High School and Eastern View High School kicked off football practices earlier this month, and it has us ready for some gridiron action on Friday nights.

However, August can be a dangerous month as well. As our young athletes get back into shape for their respective fall sports, the weather is still sweltering and if not properly monitored, someone could get hurt.

Thankfully, in Culpeper County we have top-notch athletic trainers at each school who do an excellent job of looking after our athletes and keeping them hydrated and away from dangers such as heat stroke.

Last year, four high school football athletes died of heat strokes and a recent study showed that 70 percent of after school athletes arrive at the practice field already dehydrated. That’s why it’s important to make sure to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, especially if you’re engaging in strenuous activities.

Our youth sports coaches are also to be commended for keeping our children safe as they also deal with the same dangers as youth leagues across the country that are gearing up for the fall schedule.

So stay safe out there Culpeper, be sure to drink plenty of liquids and if you feel like you’re experiencing the effects of a heat stroke, contact a doctor.

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Very few women participate in baseball anymore, especially with the opportunities softball present for young athletes, but Culpeper’s Emily Nagle is making the most of her baseball dreams.

Nagle, a member of Culpeper Little League, traveled recently to Japan to play with an all-girls team of players from the United States and Canada.

We applaud her for succeeding in a sport dominated by men, and hope she continues moving up the baseball ranks.