Time limit rule and weather

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Manny A

He said it tongue-in-cheek. Didn't you see the emoticons?



These are all questions that the league's local policies must answer. We can't really provide anything other than what the rule books would require.

I know that in leagues I've umpired, we finish Game One and not worry about the two teams waiting. They understand by being the second game of a night-time DH that they may not start on time. Happens all the time. If you stop Game One before it becomes official, and then something happens during Game Two that causes it to end before it's official, now the league has two games it has to reschedule. Better to get one done to completion. But that's my opinion.

Your position makes sense. I can see both sides of the argument. On one hand, you potentially have two games not get finished if you don't stop the game clock for game one. On the other hand, if you have game two that you know (or have a very strong likelihood) you won't finish, you have had a team (or actually many parents) drive a substantial distance for a game that won't be completed.

This brings up another issue. Do you start a game while knowing that you won't be able to reach the required number of innings in?

I personally see these all as no win situations? Someone is getting the short end of the stick no matter what thanks to mother nature.

[teebob21]

If this thread were to be named "Time limit rule and catastrophic injury" I don't think there would be any debate about stopping the clock. Nor would anyone in the stands complain that you weren't able to start/play/finish game 2 of a DH.

Common sense is the order of the day: play the game for the time limit, except for time taken for safety issues (weather, lightning, injury, zombie invasion, etc.).

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

Your position makes sense. I can see both sides of the argument. On one hand, you potentially have two games not get finished if you don't stop the game clock for game one. On the other hand, if you have game two that you know (or have a very strong likelihood) you won't finish, you have had a team (or actually many parents) drive a substantial distance for a game that won't be completed.

This brings up another issue. Do you start a game while knowing that you won't be able to reach the required number of innings in?

I personally see these all as no win situations? Someone is getting the short end of the stick no matter what thanks to mother nature.

First, let common sense prevail on the stopping the clock for weather. That has already been addressed by many.

Next, weather is a tricky thing. I don't know how many times over my career I have been convinced that I wouldn't get a game in because of impending weather only to see the storms fall apart before they got to us, or else move off in a different direction than their original track showed. So yes, start the game and hope for the best.

[Skahtboi]

Oh....and add me to the list that would not accept a two hour 14U game on a weeknight. I did, however, work 5 one hour games last night single umpire mechanics!!!

[MD Longhorn]

You're asking for a national ruling on a local issue. Ask your league or your assignor these questions.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

You're asking for a national ruling on a local issue. Ask your league or your assignor these questions.

But philosophically, I would stop the timer for a weather delay, other than a quick time for a passing downpour and maybe then.
Then, the resolution of the incomplete game would be local or tournament rules.