New coach

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I've umpired in tournaments where it was made clear to the umpires that decisions regarding suspending play due to weather were reserved solely for the TD. They did not want each field to decide independently, but the tournament as a whole.

Fortunately, when this has been in the tournament rules, the TD has been very safety-conscious, so it never became an issue where I thought play should be suspended but the TD had not reached a decision yet (and it did provide a deflection for whiney coaches).

But, what is the thought here on such a tournament rule? Would you "violate" the rule if the TD was too slow to decide (i.e. in your judgment, the conditions were unsafe)?

I would never allow a TD to make that decision; he/she often has different thoughts and priorities. If there is an on-site UIC, I agree that he should be making the over-all decision, but not a TD.

I use the general rule in my organization, if there isn't a site UIC, allow game/site/league management to take you off a field you consider still safe, but do NOT allow them to require you to stay and continue if you feel it is unsafe.

[Andy]

Most of the tournaments I do are in complexes that have multiple fields. I can see having one person make the decision to stop play. The last thing you want is to have the umpire stop play on one field while play is still going on the other fields, (absent MD's specific situation).

I did have a situation earlier this year that I, as the umpire, had to take a stand.
Lightning and storm activity was observed in the distance, I asked the site supervisor if he had seen it, he said he had and was "watching" it. The storm and activity started moving much closer until there was a lightning strike within a few miles of the complex, in my judgement. I told the site supervisor that I strongly recommended getting the fields cleared, he said he was trying to reach the TD, who was at another complex in town. When the next strike hit, I told him that the fields need to be cleared now and he agreed.

Personally, I think we were fortunate there was no one struck.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

Most of the tournaments I do are in complexes that have multiple fields. I can see having one person make the decision to stop play. The last thing you want is to have the umpire stop play on one field while play is still going on the other fields, (absent MD's specific situation).

Depends on the reason. At multifield complexes, it is not unusual for fields to deteriorate to different levels at a different rate. If there is no reason to stop a game on a particular field, it shouldn't be and certainly not because another field went under earlier.

I did have a situation earlier this year that I, as the umpire, had to take a stand.
Lightning and storm activity was observed in the distance, I asked the site supervisor if he had seen it, he said he had and was "watching" it. The storm and activity started moving much closer until there was a lightning strike within a few miles of the complex, in my judgement. I told the site supervisor that I strongly recommended getting the fields cleared, he said he was trying to reach the TD, who was at another complex in town. When the next strike hit, I told him that the fields need to be cleared now and he agreed.

Wouldn't have waited, if it is time to go, waiting on a phone call is not appropriate. If the TD wants to continue the game, s/he could borrow my indicator and brush.