Bad weather/Game time

[canump]

Just trying to get a general feel here as to when an ump takes control of a game.
Sit: Last night I was BU, partner and I car pooled to game, got to diamond about 25 minutes before scheduled start. Both teams going thru there warm up routines. As PU is getting his gear on we are watching the sky as dark clouds are a coming in, and we are guessing how many innings we thought we'd get in before the sky opens up on us.
About 10 minutes before game time we are strolling towards the diamond when the home team rep comes over to ask us what we thought of the weather, and who's decision it is if we should start. During this conversation I had to make a mother nature call so I didn't hear any response. At my age when you gotta go, you gotta go.
I come back and see my partner sitting in the bleachers, I thought he was waiting for me so I walk over and stand at the gate to go on the diamond, I hesitate glance at my partner and he waves me over to sit down. To me it's time to get going with ground rules and such but I stroll over and he said "they haven't decided as to if they want to start. I said " It's game time" he says " It's their decission right now due to weather"
I wasn't about to sit there and banter back and forth on this issue so I sat down. About 5 min after game time as we are waiting it starts lightning then the sky opens up. After 15 min the home team comes over and says thats it "we're calling it" We get our fee and run to the car.
To me we should have and could have started on time. It wasn't rainning or lightning at game time.
Is there a general ruleof thumb covering this sit or are different areas doing things differently?

[NCASAUmp]

In ASA, making this call isn't up to the umpires until after the first pitch. If the rules north of the border say it's the home team's call whether to start, delay or cancel a game, then there you go.

You were probably better off either way. You got your game fee, and no worries about resuming a game that was already in progress.

[Dholloway1962]

You got paid your entire game fee and didn't see a pitch? And you are complaining? Do you see the flawed logic?

Once game starts it is umpire discretion. Before that it is up to the home team or tournament director.

I'm off to a HS tournament now...I only hope I have as good of luck as you did!

[bluezebra]

When I was umping all levels of softball and baseball, it was the home team's decision until the PU received the lineup cards. In tournaments, it was the TD in place of the home team.

Bob

[wadeintothem]

Stop bragging... jeez.

[canump]

Trust me guys, I'm not complaining that I got paid for just sitting even thou just half game fee. In our area if you show up at the diamond and the game is called due to the weather with out a pitch being thrown, the fee is half.
I just figure that if at game time the conditions allow you to start, then you start. On this situation there was no rain or lightning, both teams were ready so to me lets go. We've all seen conditions where you think it's going to rain cats & dogs but then the clouds clear up and you have a wonderful night of ball.