Rain

ref5678 · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 12:07pm

Last night I was working a girls intermediate 13-14 summer league game. We get th first inning in then it starts to rain we are ok until abouth the foruth inning the i notice some of the players are starting to drop routine fly balls and the first basemen couldnt catch anything and shes normally a very good player finally I ask the catcher (a very responsibale young lady) what she thinks she said "we cant keep the plate clean for more than 5 minutes and i think its gettin slick" after that I go to game managment informing them game is over. My question is when do you call a game because of weather Besides thunder/lighting

Dakota · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 12:25pm

This is a pure judgment call, IMO. The things I look for include:

1) Can the runners make turns at speed safely?
2) Can we keep the ball dry enough that the pitcher can pitch with some semblance of her normal control?

If the answer to these is "no", I suspend the game.

oatmealqueen · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 12:56pm

I also make sure that the bats are not flying out of their hands when they swing. Too much moisture = flying bats.

DownTownTonyBrown · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 02:47pm

Quote:

Originally posted by oatmealqueen
Too much moisture = flying bats.

Often the rain brings out the bugs... so flying bats might be a good thing. Eat the skeeters and the West Nile virus.

Just funnin... above were good criteria about ball control and being able make turns. I would add the condition of the base itself; can you step onto one without your foot sliding away causing the splits and a violent, full-speed crash?

Skahtboi · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 03:04pm

In other words, Dylan, yes, you can suspend play for weather related reasons other than thunder and lightening. Whenever you feel that conditions are placing the players at considerable risk, then suspend play.

oatmealqueen · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 06:34pm

Quote:

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown

Quote:

Originally posted by oatmealqueen
Too much moisture = flying bats.

Often the rain brings out the bugs... so flying bats might be a good thing. Eat the skeeters and the West Nile virus.

Just funnin... above were good criteria about ball control and being able make turns. I would add the condition of the base itself; can you step onto one without your foot sliding away causing the splits and a violent, full-speed crash?

I just saw that "bat and West Nile" thing on the news.
I worry about the safety of a wet plate. Someone could easily roll an ankle steppin' and slidin'.

SC Ump · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 07:10pm

High school fastpitch: when the bases and plate are getting slippery and there is a chance of the ball slipping from the pitcher's hand.

Men's slowpitch: when the puddles at short are deeper than the fielder's ankles. But then only if they are complaining.

ref5678 · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Jun 03, 2003, 09:19pm

Thanks guys sounds like I called it at about the right time then. thanks alot guys

CecilOne · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Jun 04, 2003, 06:59am

Quote:

Originally posted by SC Ump
Men's slowpitch: when the puddles at short are deeper than the fielder's ankles. But then only if they are complaining.

I thought it was when I get cold from the rain running down inside my shirt. Or, when it's the last game of the night and we've played 5 innings.