MLB weather rules

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Anyone stupid enough to be still sitting in the stands while lightning is nearby deserves to be zapped.

Does that include everybody at the Rangers game?

[UMP25]

Yes, but for a different reason--they're Rangers fans.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by umpjim

Are you gonna send the whole stadium to their cars. Even when we suspend games and announce to go to cover in HS we still have most people milling around and seated in the stands, unless the rain forces them to move. Difficult dilemma.

At a pro game, I would think the PA would advise fans to seek shelter inside the stadium concession areas or whatever else is available away from the open seats.

That said, how much responsibility does the home team have for the fans anyway? They take reasonable precautions to prevent fans from falling down the stairs, getting hit by batted balls during pre-game BP, etc., etc. But making them vacate their seats during a storm? Really? An announcement to seek shelter is enough, IMO. If they want to be stupid and stay out there, that's on them.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Manny A

At a pro game, I would think the PA would advise fans to seek shelter inside the stadium concession areas or whatever else is available away from the open seats.

That said, how much responsibility does the home team have for the fans anyway? They take reasonable precautions to prevent fans from falling down the stairs, getting hit by batted balls during pre-game BP, etc., etc. But making them vacate their seats during a storm? Really? An announcement to seek shelter is enough, IMO. If they want to be stupid and stay out there, that's on them.

If someone had gotten hurt in that Texas Ranger's strike, it would have been the Ranger's and MLB's responsibility, imo, since play wasn't suspended. But once you suspend play and advise people to take cover, I think the home team has done as much as they can.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

If someone had gotten hurt in that Texas Ranger's strike, it would have been the Ranger's and MLB's responsibility, imo, since play wasn't suspended.

Read the back of your ticket. Lightning strikes are considered an act of God beyond the control of the local club and MLB.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

If someone had gotten hurt in that Texas Ranger's strike, it would have been the Ranger's and MLB's responsibility, imo, since play wasn't suspended.

Why is that? It's not as if the fans aren't allowed to move at their own free will. Nobody forces them to stay in their seats to continue watching. Should the local police and Highway Safety Administration suspend driving in Oklahoma as tornado warnings sound?

Watching a baseball game comes with a few potential dangers. Teams advise fans of those potential problems with warning signs, announcements, etc. It's up to the fans, not the league, to take the necessary steps to use their better judgment.

[RadioBlue]

Originally Posted by umpjim

The 30 second "flash-bang" gives you about 6 mile protection. The "hear thunder" gives you about 10. The "see it" should be used with a grain of salt at night because lightning can be seen a long way away at night.

I was working a tournament one time where we delayed a last inning for 5 hours because of a strict "if you can see it, we're not playing" policy. The "lightning" that could be seen was reflections of lightning flashes in the 50,000 foot cloud tops of a cell that, after 5 hours, was over 200 miles away. However, an unrelenting policy kept us off the field until we could resume the national championship game at 12:05 am. Ugh!

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by nopachunts

Read the back of your ticket. Lightning strikes are considered an act of God beyond the control of the local club and MLB.

The printing on the back of the ticket is worth about the paper it's printed on. It certainly isn't going to do the team or the league a lot of good against a negligence claim.

Originally Posted by Manny A

Why is that? It's not as if the fans aren't allowed to move at their own free will. Nobody forces them to stay in their seats to continue watching. Should the local police and Highway Safety Administration suspend driving in Oklahoma as tornado warnings sound?

Watching a baseball game comes with a few potential dangers. Teams advise fans of those potential problems with warning signs, announcements, etc. It's up to the fans, not the league, to take the necessary steps to use their better judgment.

One of those dangers shouldn't be being struck by lightning from a storm that has already produced a lightning bolt while the game is going on. A reasonable person suspends play during a thunderstorm. The league through its agents (the umpires) was negligent in not doing so. This negligence enticed the fans into a dangerous situation.

Would that convince a jury? I wouldn't bet against it, particularly if someone had been killed.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Nope - but no one is holding the light posts. And they're grounded and prepared for a strike.

Grounding a light post means nothing for lightning safety. If you are touching, or near when lighting strikes you are subject to injury or death. Thus fences are bad to be near as well, if in the dugout with a fence in front during a delay, stay away from the fence.