WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF RAIN

Here are some guidelines to follow when bad weather strikes:

·      The coach of the home team makes the ultimate determination whether or not a game will be played

o     The away team will always be designated with an “AT” before their opponents name so there is always a home team, even when the two teams are from the same town

o     The home team is responsible for notifying the opposing coach of the postponement

·      Coaches should plan to play in light drizzle/rain unless the field presents dangerous conditions (i.e. large puddles, very muddy/slippery infield, etc) – this may require a trip over the field to assess field conditions before the start of a game

·      Thunder or lightning shortly before a game or a warning that there will be thunder or lightning at game start is cause to postpone a game

o     If you start a game and hear thunder or see lightning, IMMEDIATELY stop the game and get everyone in cars or under cover

o     The rule “if you hear fear it, if you see it flee it” ALWAYS applies

·      Coaches are expected to communicate postponements to parents, preferably via email AND phone

·      Coaches who postpone games are expected to make every reasonable effort to make up postponed games

o     Communicate with opposing coach on potential open dates

o     Check master field schedule for open field dates

o     The higher the level, the higher the field priority given to re-scheduling games

o     Contact a member of the BYB board if you are unable to re-schedule for any reason and we will see what other accommodations can be made

While the above are “formal” guidelines, common sense should always prevail.  If you visit a field and the rain has stopped but there is a giant puddle in the middle of the infield, that is cause to postpone a game.  If there is light drizzle with breaks in the clouds and the field is in good shape, you should probably play the game.

We as coaches are not meteorologists and can only do the best we can with the information at hand.  There may be times when parents get upset and say, “the kids are not playing for the world series, they shouldn’t play in the rain.”  However, we have had other circumstances where a team had multiple postponements in a season, a game or two was not made up, and parents asked for refunds (BYB will not refund anyone for games lost to weather.)  So use common sense, ensure safety, and make every effort to reschedule games.