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.