In FED they specifically address when umpire jurisdiction begins and when it ends. In a nusthell, Umpire jurisdiction ends when we leave the field.

In the situation being discussed we vacate the area and then LEAVE the field and go to a safe spot. ONCE we LEAVE the field our jurisdiction ends. Players running onto the field AFTER we vacate the premises is now the responsibility of the AD/Coaches / league administrators / etc.

Pete Booth

Pete,

That is incorrect. What the FED rule book actually says is (my emphasis):

Since the game has not "concluded", the fact that the umpires leave the field for shelter does not terminate their juridstiction.

I concur with mbcrowder.

JM

The rule does not SPECIFICALLY address the situation at hand. The rule "assumes" a normal run of the mill game NOT a suspended game.

The game UNTIL resumed is for all practical purposes "concluded" at the time we leave the field.

I already brought up this point.

We get to the game and the rains come and the game is haulted. No differerent then if we FIRST arrive at the game and the HT is trying to get the field ready. In other words the decision to play or not to play PRIOR to us taking JURSIDICTION is with the HC or AD. Once we take the field THEN it's our decision whether to play or not.

Same thing here. We vacate the premises in accordance with the 30/30 rule.

If the players / coaches go back ONTO the field PRIOR to 30/30, it is NOT our responsibility. That responsibility rests with the AD/coaches / league administrators etc. Depending upon the field, we most likely are NOT at the field. We are in safety ourselves.

I will ask you this - How will you stop the players / coaches from going back out onto the field?

Are you going to start taking numbers and EJing anyone who enters the field?

Pete Booth

What are you going to say when a deceased player's family's lawyer says to a teary-eyed jury:
"This young boy would be alive today if the defendant, Pete Booth, had used his authority to eject players who persisted in being on his field in spite of the thirty-minute lightning rule, and he could have forfeited the game if ejection failed to clear the field. But no, he simply sat in his car, knowing that this young boy was in deadly danger on his field, and did nothing to prevent that boy's needless death, even though it was the job Mr. Booth accepted and for which he was paid. Please award this family Mr. Booth's life savings and more."?

For a guy who wants the death sentence for malicious contact you're pretty lax on this one. :D

First off I cannot forfeit the game

Second: I did MY job that I am paid to do meaning I vacated the field

Third: In all likelyhood the kids parents, legal guardian etc. are in attendance,
The AD / Coach / or League administrators are also in attendance.

If it was me no-way MY kid would go onto the field during a thunder / lightening storm.

I am not an attorney but I doubt my life savings would be awarded to the family ESPECIALLY if the family was in attendance and allowed THEIR kid to go onto the field.

The parents would be the ones teary eyed.

My job is to vacate the premises. After that it's up to the coaches etc. to handle.

But no, he simply sat in his car

Which is where we are supposed to be as the car is one of the safest places to be during a thunder/lightening storm.

You must be an attorney looking for business.

Pete Booth

Pete - we both know that is an incredible stretch for you to assume the rule that says we are in charge of the field from the moment we walk on until we leave at the CONCLUSION of the game really means until we leave during a delay.

The rule says what it says. It means what it means, using the words it uses. There's no "depends on what the meaning of Is Is" here.

And honestly, should kids get on the field and not leave when I tell them to, I strongly suspect coach would get them off if I asked. Probably wouldn't have to threaten. I would if I had to though.

I respect your view as a fellow official, but we simply disagree on this issue.

Pete Booth