BRUNSWICK

The time has arrived.

Today is the official kick-off of the 2013 fall sports season, with first practices taking place in football, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, cross country and golf.

Athletes of the past probably have their memories of how hard that first week was, with coaches working players to the point of collapse, where taking a sip of water was a sign of weakness, and practices seemed to be never-ending.

It is a whole new world for today’s athletes and coaches, with the Maine Principals Association putting an emphasis on coaches recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, concussions and situations that can put an athlete’s life in jeopardy.

Last week, athletes enjoying their last week of “freedom” were showered with 70 degree weather, low humidity and mostly sunny skies.

But, beginning today, forecasters are calling for the temperature to sore into the 80s, with an increase in humidity, making those first couple days of practice a bit harder for high school athletes coming off their summer slumber and giving coaches reasons to be concerned and aware of those they are in charge of on the practice field.

“The heat can definitely be a factor,” said Lisbon field hockey coach Julie Wescott, whose Greyhounds captured the Class C state title last season. “We have scheduled our practices for early in the morning and later in the day to get away from the higher temperatures.”

Still, Wescott has the task of getting her field hockey team ready for the challenges of the tough Mountain Valley Conference.

“Field hockey is a game where an athlete will literally run several miles throughout the course of a game, so the coaches have to work hard to get the players into shape,” said Wescott. “But, you have to keep an eye on things. When you see a girl struggling, you have to tone things down and make sure the players are hydrating.”

Richmond girls soccer coach Troy Kendrick, who has led the Bobcats to three consecutive Class D state titles, echoed Wescott’s words.

“Even though most of the girls played summer soccer, we try to set the tone at a good pace, not trying to do too much too soon,” said Kendrick. “The players are not in tip-top shape that first day and won’t be after the summer or two practices. The coaches make sure to have water breaks every 20- to 30- minutes, and watch for the signs that someone is in trouble. There is plenty of education out there about what can happen when a player is worked too hard. Still, the players need to come to that first practice in some assemblance of shape.”

The days of football players coming to those first practices in full gear is in the past. For instance, players will report to practice donning just their helmets, T-shirts and shorts — especially when the heat is on.

“Things are a lot different than when I came up,” said Mt. Ararat football coach Frank True. “Today, it is so much better, with kids getting acclimated to the heat with just their helmets on while we work on conditioning. When I played, a drink of water was a sign of weakness. It was some crazy times back then, but the sport and the rules we have now are much better for the athlete.”

“Those first couple of weeks of practice used to be brutal,” remembered Brunswick football coach Dan Cooper. “The coaches worked you to death, in full equipment, and there were no breaks. Plus, many players did nothing in the summer to prepare for the preseason, where today we had two weeks of camp and the weight room was open all summer. I know which kids have been putting in the work and which ones have not been.”

Even those players in the best of shape can struggle in the heat and humidity of the summer.

“If we know it’s going to be hot, we take precautions to make sure we are still getting the work in, but also taking care of the players,” said Cooper. “Kids come into camp in better shape than before, and the coaches have been educated in the risk factors. You always have a case where you have a kid that you don’t expect to drop, and then it happens. That is a sign that things need to be toned down. The biggest thing is to hydrate and make sure the kids know that it is not a sign of weakness to take a drink and get back at it.”

“You are always concerned as a coach that they waited too long and are using the preseason for conditioning,” said Morse girls soccer coach Steve Boyce of his athletes. “Most kids know you can’t do that and know by now what to expect those first few days. Today, coaches don’t have a ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality. During tryouts, most kids are not dogging it and are trying their best. If I notice a kid that is normally quick is slowing down, I will pull that player aside and see what is happening. That could be a sign that others are struggling as well and need a break.”

Boyce said that he looks forward to the first week of competition.

“I love those first couple days because you see the kids that played summer soccer and where they are now compared to before, plus there are kids that you haven’t seen, and are interested in seeing what they can do,” said Boyce. “You wonder if this player is the next ‘Tori Field.’ That to me is exciting!”

For others, expectations are high, especially for those who enjoyed the ultimate success.

“We know that we’re not going to sneak up on anyone, and that can be very motivating knowing that everybody we face is going to bring their ‘A’ game,” said Kendrick. “We graduated eight starters from last year, so teams we face will believe that this is the year and their chance. None of our rivals will feel sorry for us, so we have to come ready to play every match.”

“There is a little bit of pressure on us heading into the season,” admitted Wescott. “But, the girls are excited, plus I have a big senior group that wants to succeed again. They played hard this summer, in the Fitzpatrick League in Portland and in a league at Bates College in Lewiston. They have put in the work because they want to have that chance again to win it all. Most of these girls did a good job getting ready for this season.”

Soon, the games will begin, and believe it or not, the preseason slate starts on Friday, with Boyce’s Shipbuilders facing Thornton Academy and Wescott’s Greyhounds hosting Westbrook.

On Saturday, the Mt. Ararat, Morse and Brunswick field hockey teams head to Sukee Arena in Winslow for a playday, while area soccer teams are busy, with the Freeport boys and girls, and Wiscasset boys soccer teams heading to Gray-New Gloucester for a playday, the Brunswick boys soccer squad hosting the annual Dragon Cup, the Mt. Ararat girls soccer squad at Cape Elizabeth, Richmond boys soccer at Lewiston for a round-robin, the Brunswick girls soccer squad in a playday at Cony High School, and a slew of squads, including the Wiscasset girls, at Richmond for a playday, with Kendrick’s squad playing host.

No doubt lots of water will be consumed in the coming days. A definite good sign of the times!