On the 28th, the Japan Sport Association officially announced drastic heat prevention measures at the National Youth Sports Club Softball Exchange Tournament to be held in Tottori Prefecture in August, including measuring the “WBGT” heat index, which is calculated from temperature and humidity, for each inning and canceling games if the index reaches or exceeds the standard of 31.
The games will be played in two parts, from 8:30 am to 10:15 am and from 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm, to avoid the hottest times of the day. If a “special heatstroke alert” is issued the day before, all games will be canceled the following day. If the score is tied at the time of the stoppage or the game is canceled, the winner will be decided by drawing lots.
The tournament is aimed at 4th to 6th graders, and 16 teams from across the country are scheduled to participate. The matches will begin on the 2nd. (Kyodo News)