Feel the burn! Extreme heat scraps racing cards, sends ballplayers to the coolers

Feel the burn! Heat wave affects sporting events

Reds infielder Miguel Cairo wiped the sweat off his face as he walked into the visiting clubhouse in New York, grateful to be out of the sweltering conditions at Citi Field.

“I think I’m back in Venezuela,” he said.

Yup, it was that hot Tuesday.

Oppressive conditions across much of the country had wide-ranging effects on the sports world, forcing two East Coast tracks to call off horse racing cards, making life difficult for golfers practicing for the women’s U.S. Open in Pennsylvania and sending ballplayers searching for any way to stay cool.

“It’s safe to say this is one of the hottest days in about a decade for many locations in the Northeast and even inland,” said Sean Potter of the National Weather Service. “You’d go back to 2001 or maybe 1999 to find a similar heat wave.”

The temperature reached 103 degrees in New York but it was down to 96 when Johan Santana threw the first pitch Cincinnati leadoff hitter Brandon Phillips to open the game at the Mets’ second-year ballpark. There were extra emergency services personnel on duty in case of any heat-related problems.

During batting practice in Washington, a steady stream of Nationals players made their way to the jugs containing water and Gatorade. Some, including reliever Tyler Clippard, All-Star closer Matt Capps and catcher Ivan Rodriguez, dunked their heads into a cooler containing a mixture of ammonia and water.

Washington right-hander Tyler Walker, on the 15-day disabled list because of a shoulder injury but working out with the club, turned his cap upside down at the water jug, filled it halfway with cold water and put it back on his head.

“A little warm, but, hey, it’s OK,” San Diego manager Bud Black said before facing the Nationals.

The Padres put a simple message on the dry-erase board in the visiting clubhouse, a friendly reminder for the steamy weather.

“Hydrate,” it said.

At Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, some golfers carried umbrellas throughout their practice rounds to shade themselves from the sun, while some of the course’s historically fast-rolling greens were being watered between practice groups. The large practice green already is tinged with brown spots.

Jiyai Shin, the South Korean golfer who was briefly ranked No. 1 in the world following Lorena Ochoa’s retirement earlier this year, struggled badly as practice-round readings hit 94 on the suburban Pittsburgh course.

She didn’t reply when asked if she needed intravenous fluids or any medical help, but she admittedly wasn’t prepared for weather that was steamier than that in Miami Beach. She played her practice round Tuesday morning to escape the oppressive heat, but she’s scheduled to be in the middle of it for Round 2.

“I’m really surprised it’s so hot and humid,” said Shin, a six-time LPGA Tour winner. “It’s really hot and sunny all day, so green(s) and fairways are getting firm, like concrete.”

The heat affected attendance, too: There appeared to be fewer spectators on the course for Tuesday’s practice rounds than Monday’s. Normally, such crowds increase as the tournament draws closer.

Philadelphia Park canceled Tuesday’s horse races. Belmont Park in New York scrapped Wednesday’s card. There was no racing at Belmont on Tuesday.

The temperature neared 100 degrees at John F. Kennedy Airport by Belmont and was a record 102 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Park says racing will resume at the track Friday, the next day it was scheduled.