Background
The pitcher is one of the most important positions in softball, and ball velocity is an important indicator of performance in softball pitchers. However, ball velocity generally decreases with the increase in number of pitches thrown [Although softball players are often required to play in hot environments, little evidence is available regarding the magnitude of increases in body temperature and decreases in pitching performance during softball games played in hot environments. Exercising in a hot environment, compared with a temperate environment, results in a faster rise in body core (Cooling the body may be an effective approach as this strategy can alleviate physiological (elevated TAlthough evidence suggests an improvement in physiological and thermal strain following ice slurry ingestion, the efficacy of this strategy can be affected by the heat-acclimatization status of the players [