Spring Break
Athletes continue practice despite cold weather
Corey Konter
Issue date: 1/30/09 Section: Sports
As cold fronts come in and out from week-to-week, Shorter athletes are showing signs the weather is causing them to buckle down and prepare for a possible frigid season.
According to www.11alive.com, the coldest day in Rome this year has been 9 degrees, one degree higher than the area's record low from 1985.
The harsh, cold winds and small portions of snow are mostly affecting this season's sports, like the baseball and softball teams.
With the winter weather, illnesses like influenza and other seasonal ailments are likely to increase, but the athletes have not let it interfere with their performance.
"We've not had any [cases of the flu] too bad," said Matt Larry, head baseball coach. "Still with 60 players [the flu] can easily spread."
While the baseball team is beating the flu, head softball coach Melanie Carter is making sure her ladies do not get sick.
"The team has started using water bottles to prevent the passing around of just one bottle," said Carter. "The girls need to be smart about their injuries and health."
Being from Florida, sophomore softball player Chelsea Blair is still not used to the cold weather around the greater Rome area.
"I'm still not adjusting to weather around here," said Blair. "I'm doing every thing I can to stay warm."
Even though softball player and senior Becca Thomas cannot tolerate the cold weather, she has found ways to adjust to it.
"I wear my under armor to practice. I even keep 'Hot Hands' available to keep my hands warm," said Thomas.
Still it will take more than just "Hot Hands," a long-lasting heating pad, to keep these two teams warm in the cold winds. Baseball player, Jake Broome has provided some ways he has beaten the cold so far.
"I always keep moving while I'm at practice, and I always put on under armor before coming to practice," said Broome. "I wear layers and layers of clothes as well."
One way to definitely beat the cold is by wearing long thermal underwear under your clothes to keep the wind from penetrating your body. For softball, Blair is finding her own ways to keep warm as well.
"I try to wear a pair of ear warmers with some under armor," said Blair. "I also wear a lot of layers of clothes."
Coach Melanie Carter believes her girls can easily beat the cold if they get out and play in it.
"If we can practice in it, then we can play in it," said Carter.
Baseball player J.P. Griffin has the mindset that the cold will not affect him during practice.
"If I can keep my arm loose during practice, I will be fine," said Griffin.
Even on the softball front, senior Kali Milford is making sure the team stays focused during these cold practices.
"The cold will not affect us if we can stay strong," said Milford. "Mentally if we focus and block out the cold, we can easily play in it."
According to www.11alive.com, the coldest day in Rome this year has been 9 degrees, one degree higher than the area's record low from 1985.
The harsh, cold winds and small portions of snow are mostly affecting this season's sports, like the baseball and softball teams.
With the winter weather, illnesses like influenza and other seasonal ailments are likely to increase, but the athletes have not let it interfere with their performance.
"We've not had any [cases of the flu] too bad," said Matt Larry, head baseball coach. "Still with 60 players [the flu] can easily spread."
While the baseball team is beating the flu, head softball coach Melanie Carter is making sure her ladies do not get sick.
"The team has started using water bottles to prevent the passing around of just one bottle," said Carter. "The girls need to be smart about their injuries and health."
Being from Florida, sophomore softball player Chelsea Blair is still not used to the cold weather around the greater Rome area.
"I'm still not adjusting to weather around here," said Blair. "I'm doing every thing I can to stay warm."
Even though softball player and senior Becca Thomas cannot tolerate the cold weather, she has found ways to adjust to it.
"I wear my under armor to practice. I even keep 'Hot Hands' available to keep my hands warm," said Thomas.
Still it will take more than just "Hot Hands," a long-lasting heating pad, to keep these two teams warm in the cold winds. Baseball player, Jake Broome has provided some ways he has beaten the cold so far.
"I always keep moving while I'm at practice, and I always put on under armor before coming to practice," said Broome. "I wear layers and layers of clothes as well."
One way to definitely beat the cold is by wearing long thermal underwear under your clothes to keep the wind from penetrating your body. For softball, Blair is finding her own ways to keep warm as well.
"I try to wear a pair of ear warmers with some under armor," said Blair. "I also wear a lot of layers of clothes."
Coach Melanie Carter believes her girls can easily beat the cold if they get out and play in it.
"If we can practice in it, then we can play in it," said Carter.
Baseball player J.P. Griffin has the mindset that the cold will not affect him during practice.
"If I can keep my arm loose during practice, I will be fine," said Griffin.
Even on the softball front, senior Kali Milford is making sure the team stays focused during these cold practices.
"The cold will not affect us if we can stay strong," said Milford. "Mentally if we focus and block out the cold, we can easily play in it."
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