Beating the heat at Eck Stadium

You might have to wear a jacket if you go to a Wichita State baseball game in the coming weeks, but once the season hits its stride and temperatures start rising, you’ll want to stay as cool and comfortable as possible.

Fortunately, Eck Stadium is built in a way that creates a lot of shade. For late afternoon games, most of the stadium — especially the stands along the third base side — is completely covered in shade.

But for those early games where the sun is directly above the stadium, there isn’t much one can do to avoid being underneath the sun.

Because baseball games usually last close to three hours, it’s extremely important to do everything you can to stay cool.

One of the easiest things you can do to stay cool in the heat is simple — dress lightly. A loose T-shirt or tank top, a pair of shorts and tennis shoes should be all you need to wear to be comfortable.

Wearing a hat and sunglasses also goes a long way toward keeping the sun’s rays away from your face. Try to find a light hat with some ventilation, since some hats retain heat and will do more harm than good.

Unfortunately, no outside food or beverages are allowed into Eck Stadium, so it would be a good idea to drink plenty of water before the game or shell out some cash for a couple cold bottles of water at the concession stand.

Even following this advice, it’s still possible to be overwhelmed by the heat after a few hours. Taking short breaks from the sun during the game is always an option.

Between innings, don’t hesitate to step into the concourse underneath the stands. It’s shaded and often gets a nice breeze blowing through.

As intimidating as it can be to stay under the heat for upwards of three hours, taking necessary steps and preparations can be the difference between being miserable and enjoying a good game of Shocker baseball.