Rain-out Guidelines

Rain-out Guidelines for U-7 and U-9

(scroll down for U-11 and older divisions)

Policies for Game Cancellation

  1. Games should go on even if there is light rain assuming that the field is still fit to play. Once the game is underway, any decision to cancel/suspend play is to be made by the Coaches.
  2. Lightning is cause for immediate and automatic stoppage in play. Everyone should be instructed to leave the park immediately for their own safety.
  3. On Game day, up to about 90 minutes (preferably 2-hours) prior to scheduled start of game, the Home Team Coach has decision making power to cancel game if in his/her view the field and/or weather conditions are found to be unacceptable.
  4. The Home Team Coach MUST call the Visiting Team Coach immediately upon such decision so he/she can notify their team. It goes without saying that you would ensure your players are notified of the cancellation. It is good habit for the Home Team Coach to arrange for someone in the locale to inspect the park approximately 2 hours prior to the game and if necessary, report any ‘surprise’ such as incomplete maintenance repairs, damaged or flooded field, etc. Email notification is NOT an acceptable alternative unless mutually agreed by all parties.
  5. If a decision is not made 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game, then the Home Team should go to the park. If the weather is so bad that game cancellation is inevitable, then the Home Team Coach is expected to go to the park to inform anyone, who could not be reached in time, that the game is cancelled. Once at the park and the weather continues to deteriorate, and the game has not started, it would be courteous to involve the Visiting Team Coach in the decision if they are present, but again, it is ultimately the decision of the Home Team Coach to cancel a game if deemed necessary.
  6. Once a game has started the Coaches will only stop the game for safety reasons. In other words, both Home Team Coach and Visiting Team Coach may mutually agree the current conditions are unfit to continue play (too cold, field deterioration, rain, poor lighting, etc).

Rain-out Guidelines for U11 and Older Divisions

Policies for Game Cancellation

  1. Games should go on even if there is light rain assuming that the field is still fit to play. Once the game is underway, any decision to cancel/suspend play is to be made by the Coaches.
  2. Lightning is cause for immediate and automatic stoppage in play. Everyone should be instructed to leave the park immediately for their own safety.
  3. On Game day, up to about 90 minutes (preferably 2-hours) prior to scheduled start of game, the Home Team Coach has decision making power to cancel game if in his/her view the field and/or weather conditions are found to be unacceptable.
  4. The Home Team Coach MUST call the Visiting Team Coach immediately upon such decision so he/she can notify their team. It goes without saying that you would ensure your players are notified of the cancellation. The Home Team Coach MUST also notify the Umpire Coordinator immediately It is good habit for the Home Team Coach to arrange for someone in the locale to inspect the park approximately 2-hours prior to the game and if necessary, report any ‘surprise’ such as incomplete maintenance repairs, damaged or flooded field, etc. Email notification is NOT an acceptable alternative unless mutually agreed by all parties.
  5. If a decision is not made 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game, then the Home Team should go to the park. If the weather is so bad that game cancellation is inevitable, then the Home Team Coach is expected to go to the park to inform anyone, who could not be reached in time, that the game is cancelled. Once at the park and the weather continues to deteriorate, and the game has not started, it would be courteous to involve the Visiting Team Coach in the decision if they are present, but again, it is ultimately the decision of the Home Team Coach to cancel a game if deemed necessary.
  6. Once a game has started the Umpire makes the final decision to call the game due to weather or unsafe conditions. Coaches can also ask the umpire to stop the game for safety reasons. In other words, both Home Team Coach and Visiting Team Coach may mutually agree the current conditions are unfit to continue play (too cold, field deterioration, rain, poor lighting, etc).