The Official Forum - When darkness arrives...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. (Post 830215)

Irish:

I don't believe it paints me into a corner. I have never had a complaint later in the game when I have said that it is too dark to play once sunset had arrived.

I have seen umpires offer "soft warnings" about darkness using times and have seen teams rebel if the game ended before that time or ran past that time. It didn't make any difference how soft or vague it was, all they heard was the time.

I have had to rule on protested games more than once based upon what the umpire said before the game.

You may have a good situation, but I can guarantee it is not universal

Quote:

There is a reason that all of the states have the requirement that I alluded to in my original post, and that is that studies have shown that vehicles are difficult to see as sunset approaches. It really does not matter if the diamond is or is not surrounded by trees and buildings. If one is required to have the lights on his car on so that others can see his vehicle then that is a pretty good indicator that it is too dark to see other much smaller objects.

MTD, Sr.

I understand what you are saying and that you are hedging to the early side.

However, as a general statement, EVERYTHING affects the visibility on a ball field and you cannot put a time to it.