Rain is a fact of life during the Fall & Winter months - here are the procedures to keep in mind.

 

Raining before the start of a scheduled game

Q. Who decides if a game is cancelled and where do I find out in time to notify my players and parents?

A. The above chart is the last word in whether fields are open or not. Please note includes the date and time it was last updated.

 

The fields are not closed just because it rains and the fields are wet. If it is determined that there is standing water on the fields, the games will most likely be cancelled. At game time, the field may also be deemed “Unplayable” by the coaches or referee.

 

Q. If the website page is not updated what do we do?

A. Before the game starts the “Home” coach (Interleague or D3) is responsible for making the decision regarding playable field conditions.  For U6 – U12 Rec, the home coach makes the pre-kickoff decision, using the input from the visiting coach. Once the game starts, it’s all on the referee.

 

Q. What deems a field “Unplayable”?

A. Large areas on the field are soaked and soggy, or there is standing water.  Again, just being wet does not make a field unplayable.

 

Rain during the game

 

Q. Does a game need to be stopped if it starts raining?

A. No.  If the rain is not a “Hard” rain, and the field is still in playable condition, the game should continue.

 

Q. What if my parents don’t want their child to play in the rain?

A. That’s a parental decision. If they do not want their kids to participate in the rain, then they are allowed to leave. However, the game goes on. If you lose too many players (go beyond the minimum amount to continue play) your team will forfeit.

 

Q. What if we see lightning and hear thunder?

A. If at any point, lightning is seen in the area (even if it’s not raining), the game is cancelled.  If thunder is heard in the background, but it’s not raining and a threat of lightning is not in the area, then the game can continue.

 

Rained out games

 

Q. Will the game be rescheduled?

A.  First, you will need to contact the game/field Scheduler and ask for available times.

·     If this is for a D3 game, then contact the D3 Coordinator for help facilitating a make-up game date/time/field.

·     If this is for a Rec Interleague game (U14-U19), then after you have contacted the game/field scheduler and received possible dates, then contact the opposing coach to solidify a date/time/field.  Then confirm selected date/time/field with the game/field Scheduler, and contact the referee coordinator for a change on the Web Referee scheduler.

·     If this is for U10 – U12, the Scheduler will decide if the game is reschedule or cancelled. If there are 1^st first place ramifications, then the Scheduler will do everything possible to reschedule.  However, if a cancelled game has an impact on 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place, then those positions will be determined by “Winning Percentage” instead of “Total Points”.

·     If U6 – U8, the games are cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

Raining before the start of a Practice

 

Q. Can I practice if it rains?

A. No!  If it has been raining before practice, and the ground is wet (more so than if it was just watered by the City), all practices are cancelled.  Even if the rain has stopped, use open areas only, such as park grassy areas or basketball courts.