Question on Darkness

[BretMan]

I would answer the question, "How dark is too dark?", about the same way I would answer the question, "How wet is too wet when it begins to rain?".

When the playing conditions prevent the players from routinely and safely handling the simple tasks of playing the game, then it is time to call it. Slipping, sliding, losing the grip on the ball and having trouble tracking the ball are all signs that the conditions are not conductive to the playing of baseball.

As the UIC for this game, it is entirely up to my judgement when that criteria is met. Most of the time "you know it when you see it"- or, in the case of darkness, when you can't see it!

Thankfully, with the new Daylight Savings Time date going into effect, darkness should no longer be an issue for early season games in these parts. In past years you could always count on darkness being an issue in a game or two during the first couple weeks of the season, until DST kicked in.

[archangel]

Had an early spring game last year, PU and I talking about the coming darkness between half innings, decided to finish out the inning with agreements from both coaches. Runner on 2nd, I'm in C, next batter hits a liner that I only heard go past my ear....that ended that.....

[PeteBooth]

PU and talking about the coming darkness between half innings, decided to finish out the inning with agreements from both coaches.

You do not need agreements from both coaches and I would strongly recommend getting coaches involved. Before the umpires arrive it is normally the home coach who decides if the playing conditions are safe.

Once the game is in Blues hands, it is now Blues responsibility. Do not need concurence from coaches.

Pete Booth

[lawump]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

Before the umpires arrive it is normally the home coach who decides if the playing conditions are safe.

Pete,

You are right...normally the home coach does have the decision...However, I've handled this "problem" too.

Coach or (desperate minor league GM): "We can play today, blue. Its not too bad."

Me: "Skip, if you don't want to call it off, that's fine. But the second I get the line-up cards at the Plate meeting, we're done."

Manager/Coach: "You can't do that."

Me: "I just did. Now if you guys want to hold off on announcing the cancelation to the PA announcer to give you a chance to make money at the food stands, that's fine. But we're not playing."

Manager: "This is *&(*^."

Me: "See ya tomorrow, skip."

[PeteBooth]

Me: "See ya tomorrow, skip."

[/QUOTE]

Good point and it really "irks" them when they have to pay another game FEE.

You cannot be Mr. Nice guy even if you do try and save them some money.

I do not know about your association but in our contracts, the scheduler or coach has until 2 hours before game time to make a decision. The assignor needs that time to call the umpires and the umpires also need that time because travel may be involved. If they do not cancel the game we get at the very minimum a Travel Fee which is equal to 1/2 FEE

This one particlar day it was pouring all around the area. EVERY game was cancelled except you guessed it Mine. Before I left I gave a call to the assignor just to make sure. he said no pete they haven't called so off i went.

When I got to the game site the field was like "pea soup". I told the coach

ME: Skip right now it will cost you a travel Fee and we go home.

Skip: just as in your case "Blue it's not too bad"

Me: Ok skip it's your call

We now take the field, have the plate conference and get paid a FULL game FEE. When we get the line-up cards and After we get paid it's as you said See ya Tomorrow skip.

Now you return the next day and get another FULL game FEE. Ain't life grand.

It's amazing even when you try and save them some money they will not listen. Then of course you hear the standard "How can you sleep tonight blue" etc. etc. I will sleep just fine.

Pete Booth

[DG]

The only game I have every called due to darkness was called with bases loaded and 2 out in bottom of the 7th. The visiting team was up about 7 runs at the beginning of the inning and when I called it they were still up by 4but it had been a 20 minute half inning with a pitching change. The sun had been down about 10 minutes or so. The pitch came, the catcher caught it so he saw it, I called the pitch so I saw it, but the batter turned to me and said I can't see the pitch. GAME OVER! Nobody said a word.

I had a game last year in a town about 30 miles away. It was raining where i was so I called the school and they said there was light drizzle but they planned to play. I go, and as I arrive it was raining more than a drizzle. My partner comes up to me and asks what I think. I think we need to go find out if the coach wants to pay a full game fee for nothing or a half game fee for nothing. I walk out to F6 position and it's slick, but not puddling. I go over to the dugout and coach says "what do you think?" I say "if it would stop raining and the sun come hard and hot for about 2 hours I think it would be playable" He agreed.

[Uncle George]

First of all, thanks to all who contributed to my question, even those with the "humorus" ones! I like the three headlights in a row thing. The streetlight thing I've used before. I'm in St. Louis area, Illinois side, and my first game is Tuesday. They even pushed the game BACK 30-minutes becuase of Day Light Savings Time. Go figure!

[scarolinablue]

Originally Posted by DG

The only game I have every called due to darkness was called with bases loaded and 2 out in bottom of the 7th. The visiting team was up about 7 runs at the beginning of the inning and when I called it they were still up by 4but it had been a 20 minute half inning with a pitching change. The sun had been down about 10 minutes or so. The pitch came, the catcher caught it so he saw it, I called the pitch so I saw it, but the batter turned to me and said I can't see the pitch. GAME OVER! Nobody said a word.

I had a similar one to this last year in HS ball, with the added situation that the home team rallied to the point that they were ahead in the bottom of the sixth, but it was to the point of being ridiculously dark. We called the game (and got no argument with the decision from either team as it was getting dangerous), and score reverted back to the previous inning with the home team now losing the game. Had to go back to the same field two days later...home coach made sure his team hustled a LOT more between innings, and we finished 7 innings with daylight to spare.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

You do not need agreements from both coaches and I would strongly recommend getting coaches involved. Before the umpires arrive it is normally the home coach who decides if the playing conditions are safe.

Once the game is in Blues hands, it is now Blues responsibility. Do not need concurence from coaches.

Pete Booth

Pete, of course we dont need coach approval. But common courtesy and proper game management says to inform both coaches of decision, instead of surprising the coach losing at the time.