GBSOA follows specific NFHS weather protocol (under the guise of AHSAA direction) in regards to contests during lightning and thunder disturbances.
Thunder / Lightning
- When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the leading edge of the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play for thirty minutes (30) and take shelter immediately.
- Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
- Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count will reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.
Wet Field Conditions and Rain
Most of the time, games will be cancelled/postponed if weather (rain) will become too much and make the field/game unplayable. In most cases, a referee won’t call the match on rain alone and players won’t mind the rain and a game can still go on despite slippery and wet conditions. Most times.
However, excessive rainfall can severely change the playing field. The ball may slide or skip across the pitch with minimal effort or it can simply get stuck due to a muddy or water-logged conditions.
If the rain doesn’t stop, this can be safety hazard as muddy grounds and pools of water in the pitch can be dangerous to a player. The rain itself if it becomes torrential combined with the factor of a low-30s windchill can be hazardous.
You must use your best judgement as this is a tough call to make. Luckily, this type of decision doesn’t happen often because most games with torrential downpour are cancelled well in advance but it’s always good to know in case.