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FREEPORT — With temperatures expected to be in the upper 80s all week, players participating in the Freeport International Baseball Invitational are going to have to find ways to beat the heat.

Chuck Sarver, president of the invitational, said he couldn’t speak for all of the six area baseball fields that will host games, but he did say that the James Swartz Memorial Field in Freeport will have two “spray stations,” thanks to the help of the EMS.

“We’ll have hydration stations with mist going out,” Sarver said. “The ambulances will be here, and we’re loaded with water. We have another pallet on standby, too.”

Some teams have dark blue or black uniforms, and that, along with long pants, might make it feel like it’s 100 degrees on the field. At every field, while in the dugout, players will be treated to Daily’s Little Hugs beverages, which were donated.

“We’ll keep those on ice,” Sarver said.

Sarver said he encourages the players to stay in the shade as much as possible, especially the pitchers.

He added, “But, these kids are resilient.”

There also is a chance of rain this week, and Sarver said that thunderstorms are more welcome than all-day rain showers.

“Thunderstorms come and go,” he said. “An all-day rain (comes) and you’re kind of hosed. We’ll have to see what Mother Nature brings us. It’s the one thing we can’t control.”

Some not used to heat

Lennart Stut sweated like he was performing in the players’ showcase yesterday. But he was just watching his teammates.

Stut, 21, of Holland, is on the Netherlands’ team, and he said it doesn’t get this hot in his home country.

He said that it was “a bit overwhelming” when he got off the plane.

To keep cool, Stut and his teammates have been spending a lot of time at their hotel’s swimming pool and at the mall, walking around in the air conditioning.

“It’s going to be hard to concentrate and stay focused playing in this,” he said. “I’d prefer to play without a shirt.”

Stut said he plans on drinking a lot of water and finding shade whenever possible.

Moment of silence

There will be a moment of silence before the last game at each area field tonight to honor local veterans. Any veterans in attendance will be asked down onto the field.

There will be a plaque presented to the family of Jim Quinn, who died this past year, on Thursday before the celebrity/old-timers game. There will be a plaque presented to the family of Mike Westerman, who also died this past year, before the All-American versus All-International game Saturday. Both Quinn and Westerman helped make the invitational what it is today.

Players wanted

Anyone who wants to participate in the celebrity/old-timers game is welcome to arrive at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the James Swartz Memorial Field in Freeport. For more information, contact Ralph “Sonny” Westerman at 724-448-7258. Also, anyone in need of directions to the six area fields that are hosting the invitational can visit www.fortheloveofthegame.org.

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