The playoffs begin in boys and girls lacrosse today and just in time for the first draw, the mercury is rising ... and continues to rise ... and is expected to hit the high 80s (with nearly 85 percent humidity) in Southern Maine before the end of the school day.

Just a few things to keep in mind when dealing with the hot and humid weather, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Stay hydrated. Water, water, water. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. And stay away from sugary drinks or sodas, because those can cause the loss of body fluids. Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade are best for after the game, because those replenish salts and minerals lost in sweat.

Stay in the shade when you're not active.

Wear sunscreen.

If you feel faint, dizzy, weak or nauseous, let someone know ASAP. Those could be signs of the start of heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke.

Stay cool, kids.

For those of you who were too lazy to do the math and figure out the final Heal points for the spring ...

The Maine Principals' Association released the final Heals for baseball, and softball.

The MPA has also released playoff brackets for baseball and softball.

... for the start of spring sports after a brief hiatus. Competition in the five spring sports begins today, only a few days before many local schools have a week of vacation.

A total of 10 pitchers and catchers start spring practices this afternoon in softball - despite the sunny weather outside, practice will probably be inside.

But if you're a Cape Elizabeth softball player, the unexpected day off from school doesn't mean you can enjoy a free Monday afternoon.

"We're practicing today," Capers Coach Joe Henrikson said earlier this afternoon..

Good thing. Starting today, Cape Elizabeth defends its Class B softball championship.