Sandwich Baseball Inclement Weather Policy

** SBA Participants: If an evacuation order has been given and announced over the complex alert system, ADHERE to this evacuation order and exit the complex immediately. Any delay in the evacuation order will slow the traffic flow out of the Complex.

Evacuation of the SBA Baseball Complex due to inclement weather may be initiated by either the city of Sandwich or Sandwich Baseball Association.

Sandwich Baseball Association will maintain a NOAA Weather Radio. The radio and lightning detector will be turned on whenever there are games being played. Officers of the Day (OD) will monitor these for threatening weather.

Recreational League Practice and Games:

The coach in charge of the practice shall immediately suspend or cancel practice and players and coaches shall retreat to automobiles or a grounded, secure structure in the event of any of the following: (a) the sound of thunder; (b) the sight of lightning; or (c) the sound of the Lightning detector alarm.

No players will be permitted to remain on the field or in open dugouts for any reason. Coaches are urged to monitor weather conditions and to use their best judgment regarding adverse weather. A coach may postpone or cancel games or practice at any time that he or she believes that it is unsafe to continue for any weather related reason.

30/30 Rule: It is especially unsafe if thunder follows a lightning strike within 30 seconds. A game or practice may resume following suspension, at the discretion of the coach, if no thunder is heard and no lightning is observed for a period of 30 minutes.

Coaches are responsible for providing shelter to any members of the team who do not have a parent or other adult present at the field. Coaches should advise parents of this severe weather policy and should obtain contact information so that the coach can contact parents who leave their children at practice in the event of a suspension or cancellation. This policy is to the highest degree mandatory and shall be strictly enforced.

Game Policies in the case Lightning:

If thunder and/or lightning are present shelter must be taken for a minimum of 30 minutes from the time of the interruption before considering the resumption of play.

1. If thunder and/or lightning is observed at the site of an outdoor activity 30 or fewer minutes prior to the scheduled start of that activity, the official/coaches and the responsible school authorities shall not permit the contest to begin on that date until the inclement weather has cleared or the conditions become playable.

2. If thunder and/or lightning is observed during the playing of the outdoor activity, the official/coaches shall immediately cease play for a minimum of 30 minutes, have all participants and spectators seek *appropriate shelter and then re-evaluate the situation. This may also include suspending the game.

3. Any subsequent thunder and/or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count shall reset the clock and another 30 minute count shall begin.

*Appropriate shelter is defined as any sturdy, enclosed, substantial building that has plumbing and/or electrical wiring that acts to electrically ground the structure.

Tournament and Travel Team Games:

The Chief Umpire shall immediately suspend or cancel the game and players and coaches shall retreat to automobiles or a secure and grounded structure with walls and a roof in the event of any of the following: (a) the sound of thunder; (b) the sight of lightning; or (c) the sound of the Lightning Detector system alarm. (Apply the 30/30 rule as mentioned above) No players will be permitted to remain on the field or in open dugouts, for any reason. The Chief Umpire shall have the discretion to suspend or postpone play at any time that he or she believes that it is unsafe to continue for any weather related reason. A game may resume following suspension, at the discretion of the Chief Umpire, if no thunder is heard or lightning is observed for a period of 30 minutes. This policy is to the highest degree mandatory and shall be strictly enforced.

COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES

Sandwich Baseball Association will implement the following Cold Weather Guidelines

Game decision will be made by League President and VPs 1 hour before game start time based on the projected weather forecast. The following temperatures are based on the lower of either ambient or wind chill index.

26 – 32 degrees: Sandwich Baseball Association would enforce games be shortened to the official game minimum inning or time limit, whichever occurs first 25 degrees or lower: Sandwich Baseball Association will cancel all games and reschedule

HOT WEATHER GUIDELINES

Sandwich Baseball Association will implement the following Hot Weather Guidelines

Game decision will be made by League President and VPs 1 hour before game start time based on the projected weather forecast. The following temperatures are based on the higher of either ambient or heat index.

(Condition Yellow) 90 – 99 degrees: Sandwich Baseball Association would enforce games be shortened to the official game minimum inning or time limit, whichever occurs first

(Condition Red) 100 – 103 degrees: Sandwich Baseball Association may recommend games be shortened to the official game minimum inning/time limit, whichever occurs first AND water breaks every 2 innings for 10 minutes

(Condition Black) 104+ degrees: Sandwich Baseball Association will cancel all games and reschedule