MLB weather rules

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

What rules does MLB use when determining to delay or end a game. I'm watching the Tigers-LAA game and there was huge lightening bolt in the background they played on. At any other level I know of this game would be delayed or ended (14-6 in the 9th) and everyone would be cleared. In college, high school, rec ball and everything else, this would not be allowed, why is MLB so different?

Here's a blog report from a meteorologist who is loosely affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. From what he writes, the policy boils down to leaving it up to the umpires to decide when to suspend play. He provides suggestions on how that should change, based upon an incident last year in Texas.

Why Major League Baseball needs to update severe weather policy | Updraft | Minnesota Public Radio News

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Here's a blog report from a meteorologist who is loosely affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. From what he writes, the policy boils down to leaving it up to the umpires to decide when to suspend play. He provides suggestions on how that should change, based upon an incident last year in Texas.

Why Major League Baseball needs to update severe weather policy | Updraft | Minnesota Public Radio News

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.

[UMP25]

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

[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.

[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.