Lightening

[GarthB]

Our association has adopted the 30/30 rule.

Once lightening is observed, we begin counting. If the thunder is heard within 30 seconds of counting, the game is suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightening has occurred.

Should there be additional lightening accompanied by thunder within 30 seconds before the 30 minutes are up, the 30 minute counts starts over

All umpires are instructed to follow this procedure so communication about the issue is not an issue.

[DG]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Our association has adopted the 30/30 rule.

Once lightening is observed, we begin counting. If the thunder is heard within 30 seconds of counting, the game is suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightening has occurred.

Should there be additional lightening accompanied by thunder within 30 seconds before the 30 minutes are up, the 30 minute counts starts over

All umpires are instructed to follow this procedure so communication about the issue is not an issue.

30 seconds means the lightning is 5 miles away. Even if a storm is moving at a slow 10 MPH it will be on you in 6 minutes. And a lightning bolt traveled from cloud to earth over a distance of maybe 4 miles or more, so 6 miles away ain't squat.

If I see a lightning bolt the game stops, regardless of what I hear or when I hear it. 30 minute rule applies as well. It is rare around my part of NC, to stop a game due to lightning and it get started back up. It would have to be some kind of tournament game where a 2 hour delay is better than waiting another day.

[waltjp]

We do the same as Bassman - if we see lightning or hear thunder we clear the field for 30 minutes. It's a joint responsibility and is usually something we mention during our pre-game if the conditions warrant.

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by waltjp

We do the same as Bassman - if we see lightning or hear thunder we clear the field for 30 minutes. It's a joint responsibility and is usually something we mention during our pre-game if the conditions warrant.

One thing I have that helps me is I have a CB radio with a WX frequency, so if the conditions are iffy at best, I'll switch this on to get the NOAA weather channel en route to my game.

[waltjp]

One of the worst nights I had with lightning was a few years back. It was an 8:00 start on July 3. The weather report called for a chance of thunder showers. A few of the surrounding towns had fireworks displays and with the haze from the humidity in the lights it was difficult to discern what was approaching lightning and what was the flash from fireworks. It was near impossible to listen for lightning because of the boom from the fireworks and the highway that passed by the field.

[Forest Ump]

I grew up in Georgia where we had some wicked lighting storms. When I was a kid, we had lighting hit our house and completely blow out my exterior bedroom wall. This happened while I was in bed at the time. So I have a real respect for lighting. Might also explain why I don't hear so good now.

I live in California now and it is a rarity to see it here in the San Francisco Bay area. I don’t even remember it being discussed at my association meetings. If I did see it I would use the 30/30 rule that Garth mentioned unless we have a different policy.

[rpumpire]

To me, one of the toughest calls is in games being played under the lights. After dark, one can see flashes (not bolts) from storms much farther away. It becomes harder to discern whether it is from a nearby storm or not.

I do have a great respect for lightning. About three years ago, my partner and I cleared the field during a thunderstorm. Most people took shelter in the vehicles, or in the entryway of a nearby establishment that overlooks the field. Not five minutes later, we saw a bolt of lightning strike the field in foul territory just beyond third base.

[archangel]

If the poster is correct on how they handle weather games up north, plus other sich's given in other posts, I think its in our northern neighbors best interest if we just attack and make Canada a US state.

A 10 minute delay? Lightning is seen but its not BU's call? I'm always amazed........

[ozzy6900]

Our HS association says that any of the umpires on the game can stop the game due dangerous conditions. Lightning sighted is an automatic 20 minute delay. If another bolt is sighted, the clock starts from the time of the sighting. Upon the first sighting, we are to inform the coaches that we are suspending the game and how it will work. We then inform them that we are going to shelter or out cars and suggest that they do the same. We then leave the field together.

I also check the weather before I leave home. If there are impending storms, I will check the radar on my cell phone just before my partner(s) and I lock up the cars. If something is coming, I inform the coaches when we get to the field and ask them to help us keep an eye out.

Now I still get arguments about daytime storms from coaches. "Yeah Blue, we heard the thunder but we didn't see any lightning so why are we stopping the game?" Even after I explain that lightning is what generates thunder and it's just too bright to see the lightning yet, they still ask "why are we stopping the game?"

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by DG

30 seconds means the lightning is 5 miles away. Even if a storm is moving at a slow 10 MPH it will be on you in 6 minutes. And a lightning bolt traveled from cloud to earth over a distance of maybe 4 miles or more, so 6 miles away ain't squat.

If I see a lightning bolt the game stops, regardless of what I hear or when I hear it. 30 minute rule applies as well. It is rare around my part of NC, to stop a game due to lightning and it get started back up. It would have to be some kind of tournament game where a 2 hour delay is better than waiting another day.

The 30/30 rule is recommended by the NOAA. We feel pretty confident using it.