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SOP for virtually all games I officiate . . . adult or otherwise:
Aware of the forecast beforehand or at game time, if lightning is observed by anyone participating in the game (player, coach or official), the game is suspended immediately and delayed for AT LEAST 30 minutes from the time of the last lightning strike.
My partner and I go together to each of the dugouts/benches and, if the site has a covered pavilion, advise all participants to seek shelter there. We encourage them to take their equipment with them; in case a thunderstorm or downpour comes. (We don't instruct spectators at all.) We also ensure that both scorekeepers have the same situation listed for purposes of resuming play.
If no pavilion is available, we ENCOURAGE them to return to their vehicles to wait it out. We don't however, stick around to see that everyone has left the dugouts or bench area. After giving our instructions, the two of us decide where we're going . . . either the groundskeepers room, umpire's locker room, the aforementioned pavilion, or to our vehicles.
We don't allow anyone onto the fields prior to our return. Warm-up time is limited to 5-8 pitches only. A few more if it takes longer to get the equipment back into the dugout.
Jerry
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