I've read what everyone has posted about approaching storms accompanied by lightning. The coaches are right, and the heck with the UMP's and other officials. According to NIOSHA and the National Weather Service, as well as the National Lightening Safety Institute, lightning kills about 80 people in the U.S. each year. It is suggested that before playing that you listen to the weather report. Lightening has been known to hit people out of a clear sky, from an approaching storm from up to 10-20 miles away. They suggest always using the 30/30 Rule as well, to know when to seek a safter location. The rule states that when you see lightning, count the time until you hear the thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, go immediately to a safter place. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder means lightning is likely within striking range. They also tell us that After the storm has apparently dissipated or moved on, to wait at least 30 minutes or more after 'hearing the last thunder' before leaving the safer location.
Keep away from trees, poles, metal structures of any kind. Lightening has traveled along the paths of underground pipe in empty fields, so it is best not to take any chances. Also, know the type of ground you are standing on. Depending on the sediment beneath your feet, certain metals in the earth itself will cause one to be a 'electrical conductor.' Typically seek shelter in a well structured building, public library, home, and stay out of the shopping malls where there are not load bearing posts to hold the roof up if the situation should become suddenly worse. If you have no options but your vehicles, then make sure it has a SOLID METAL ROOF AND METAL SIDES. HOWEVER, even though the tires are made of rubber, that lightening has traveled hundreds of miles (In some cases across the U.S.) through the atmosphere collecting latent heat energy from the atmosphere and the earth's surface heat, which is itensifying this system. So keep arms and hands away from the doors, sitting with hands on your laps. Do NOT attempt to use your cell phones at this time. It may cause the static charge to arc within the vehicle. (This is also wise advice when talking on your cell at the service station to get gas. That same rule applies). There are many times while a storm is developing, or if lightning is near, a person of sensativity can feel and (or) see, the hair on his/her arms stand up when they are actually not cold. That is a static charges moving throught the air.
Many lightening bolts have been recorded as registering up to 50,000 degrees F., and the reason for the thunder is that the electrical charge has penetrated the cloud cover, which disrupts the heat and cold exchanges along with the moisture or humidity that has accumulated. For the best and most recent information about lightning, thunderstorms and other severe weather, go to the website of the National Weather Service, or here is a list of other sites which will be informative and very helpful in arguing your case about 'who' gets authority to call a game. To Forewarn is to Forearm, as they say. Tell these people instead of creating an issue, lets avoid one. Here is a list of the sites.
www.LightningSafety.noaa.gov,
www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/,
https://www.patrick.af.mil/45ws/45og...ety/index.html. For this last one, be certain in the HTTPs, to understore that s. or you may get 'page cannot be displayed.',
www.LighteningStorm.com and
www.Lightning-Strike.org.
On many of these websites you will also be able to study cloud formations and each type of cloud cover and what each of them means. It's very helpful as well as educational. It just so happens that as a mature college student, this is our current study - and that is weather predictions.
There are many more places where you can watch videos of storm trackers, and watch lighting hitting airplanes 'in flight' on approach and much, much more.
The best idea is when going onto the playing field that day is to keep a radio with one of the officials or with one of the parents who has been chosen to listen for special reports and warnings at all times. It doesn't hurt to take a moment to listen to the reports...in fact, that should be within the rules as to avoid hazards. Remember, no one wants to be the tallest object during a thunderstorm. People just do not make good lightning rods. This same information holds true for all outdoor activities. Good luck and I hope this was informational for all of you lovely sports people. Leah-the angel of advance warning. :>)