Lightning guidelines

[Andy]

I believe someone has posted it here before, but I can't find it.

Is there something in a rule book - any ruleset - with guidelines for dealing with lightning?

I looked in the ASA and NFHS book and couldn't find anything...

[JefferMC]

Try the NCAA Rulebook, Appendix E.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uplo...708c4cf6f2.pdf

ASA covers it on their website, here:

http://www.asasoftball.com/about/lightning.asp

[JEL]

Originally Posted by Andy

I believe someone has posted it here before, but I can't find it.

Is there something in a rule book - any ruleset - with guidelines for dealing with lightning?

I looked in the ASA and NFHS book and couldn't find anything...

Look again at the NFHS book, page 6 under "Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances"

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by JEL

Look again at the NFHS book, page 6 under "Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lightning Disturbances"

I was going to say that I knew it was in the NFHS rulebook.

[hotmatt]

In Ohio in every outdoor sport's pre-season manual we get 2 pages of "advice" on handling inclement weather. But at every State Rules meeting we are told, if you hear thunder or see lightning, get the field cleared for 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning. They powers in Columbus have said they will back any official in any sport that suspends or cancels a contest as a result of hearing thunder or seeing lightning. I will and have not hesitated in pulling teams off the field. I don't do thunderstorms very well .

[NCASAUmp]

I'm surprised at the number of umpires who try to keep their games going, despite visible lightning in the area (within 10 miles). Then I get the crazy looks from teams, fellow umpires and local field supervisors when I pull my players off the field and tell them to wait.

[shipwreck]

Or with stupid umpires, when told to clear the teams from the field and dugouts, who reply "we only need one more out." Last time I checked, lightning can't count. Dave

[JefferMC]

OTOH, as a parent watching a game at a field with 60' to 80' light poles and 25' chain-link back stops, surrounded by 50' to 70' tall trees, I have questioned the wisdom of taking my 5'10" DD off the field to put her in a chain-link pen with a metal roof, connected to this 25' fence, and sitting her on an aluminum bench (for which the back rest is this same 25' tall fence).

Looking at the angles, I think I'd rather her be on the field.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

OTOH, as a parent watching a game at a field with 60' to 80' light poles and 25' chain-link back stops, surrounded by 50' to 70' tall trees, I have questioned the wisdom of taking my 5'10" DD off the field to put her in a chain-link pen with a metal roof, connected to this 25' fence, and sitting her on an aluminum bench (for which the back rest is this same 25' tall fence).

Looking at the angles, I think I'd rather her be on the field.

I ask coaches at HS games, to remove their players to the cars or buses. I will repeat that request when I see coaches who don't comply. However, I have had both coaches and parents argue that "it is raining too hard," or something along those lines. My belief then, is, you can lead a horse to water....

[shipwreck]

We are required to get the teams off the field and out of the dugouts. We can't be expected to take everyone's hand and lead them to their cars, their parent's cars or the bus. The coaches need to take a little initiative on their own. Dave

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

OTOH, as a parent watching a game at a field with 60' to 80' light poles and 25' chain-link back stops, surrounded by 50' to 70' tall trees, I have questioned the wisdom of taking my 5'10" DD off the field to put her in a chain-link pen with a metal roof, connected to this 25' fence, and sitting her on an aluminum bench (for which the back rest is this same 25' tall fence).

Looking at the angles, I think I'd rather her be on the field.

I have a handout on this site dealing with lightning safety, taken from information published by the National Weather Service.

Your concern about kids staying in the bench area, near the chain link fence is justified, but your best alternative is NOT to stand out in an open field. Here is an excerpt from my handout:

Seek proper shelter when required. Don't hesitate, seek shelter immediately. The lightning casualty stories are replete with events where people were about to make it to shelter when they were struck; if they'd just started a minute earlier, they'd have been safe.

Proper Shelter: The best shelter commonly available against lightning is a large fully enclosed substantially constructed building, e.g. your typical house. Substantially constructed means it has wiring and plumbing in the walls. Once inside, stay away from any conducting path to the outside. Stay off the corded telephone. Stay away from electrical appliances, lighting, and electric sockets. Stay away from plumbing. Don't watch lightning from windows or doorways. Inner rooms are generally better.

If you can't get to a house, a vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice. As with a house, avoid contact with conducting paths going outside: close the windows, lean away from the door, put your hands in your lap, don't touch the steer¬ing wheel, ignition, gear shifter, or radio. Convertibles, cars with fiberglass or plastic shells, and open framed vehicles don't count as lightning shelters.

MYTH:
Cars are safe because the rubber tires insulate them from the ground.
TRUTH:
Cars are safe because of their metal shell.

If you can't get to proper lightning shelter, at least avoid the most dangerous locations and activities. Avoid higher elevations. Avoid wide-open areas, including sports fields. Avoid tall isolated objects like trees, poles, and light posts [or backstops]. Avoid water-related activities: boating, swimming (includes indoor pools), and fishing. Avoid golfing. Avoid open vehicles like farm tractors, open construction vehicles, riding lawnmowers, golf carts (even with roofs), etc. Avoid unprotected open buildings like picnic pavilions, rain shelters, and bus stops [or dugouts]. Avoid metal fences and metal bleachers.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I'm surprised at the number of umpires who try to keep their games going, despite visible lightning in the area (within 10 miles). Then I get the crazy looks from teams, fellow umpires and local field supervisors when I pull my players off the field and tell them to wait.

I did a tournament earlier this year where the TD wanted to continue the games even though the tornado warning sirens were sounding...

[JefferMC]

Have ever read a report about a herd of cows getting electrocuted? If you have, weren't they huddled under a tree? Ever read one where the cow was in the middle of a pasture?

I can see sending the kids to their cars or to a large building. The practice I object to is that of sending them to the dugout.

On the field I was describing, except for the center fielder, the players are all seem closer to the bottom of the nearest light pole than the top of the light pole is to the bottom (while probably a safe distance away), while on the field. It is my assertion that the kids are safer in the field than near the backstop/light poles.

[Dakota]

Being out in a field during a lightning storm is not a safe place to be, even though there are MORE dangerous places to be (such as leaning against the back stop). No one is arguing that the dugout is a safe place.

Being directly hit by lightning is not the only hazard. The charge will travel along the surface of the ground for some distance, and this has nothing to do with how tall the item directly hit is.

While lightning TENDS to strike the tallest grounded object, that is no guarantee. It will TEND to strike the tallest object in the middle of a sports field.

[Skahtboi]

These people were on an open field when lightning struck!