Tournament Prep
The Doubleheader Survival Guide for Baseball Players
A doubleheader is a different animal. Seven innings, a short break, seven more innings. The players who survive game two — actually perform in game two — are the ones who treated the break between games as part of their preparation, not a rest period.
Before Game One
Hydrate before you need to. The hour before first pitch is when you load sodium and fluids — not when you're already cramping in the fourth inning. One electrolyte stick before game one is your baseline.
Between Games
This is where most players get it wrong. They sit in the shade, drink water, and eat whatever's in the cooler. Water replaces fluid but not sodium. Between games you need electrolytes, a real snack with carbs and protein, and at minimum 20-30 minutes off your feet. One more electrolyte stick between games is non-negotiable.
Game Two — Staying Sharp
By the fifth inning of game two, hydration determines performance. The players who fueled correctly are the ones making plays. The ones who didn't are the ones booting grounders and swinging at breaking balls in the dirt. Staying sharp through game two is a preparation decision you make in the hours before it starts.