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Guidelines
for Lightning Safety
All individuals participating in or observing
an outdoor softball event are responsible for their own safety and should
monitor threatening weather conditions. Before each practice, warm-up time, or
game, the home plate umpire should appoint an individual as the designated
“weather watcher.” If the home plate umpire is the only official at the
event, then the home plate umpire should be responsible for the duties of the
“weather watcher.” The individual will make the call to stop play, remove
individuals from the field, and announce a warning to the spectators.
The designated weather watcher should be aware
of weather conditions at all times, including observing the conditions and
keeping abreast of the weather forecast. As a means of monitoring local weather,
the designated weather watcher can consult the National Weather Service for
current information. All storm warning and storm watches should be heeded.
When the weather becomes dangerous, the
designated weather watcher will announce that all play activities are suspended
and all individuals, both players and spectators, should seek appropriate
shelter. No place is absolutely safe from lightning threat; however, some places
are safer than others. Large, enclosed structures (substantially constructed
buildings) tend to be safer than smaller structures or open structures. In
general, a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up tends to be safer
than being outside so long as contact with metal surfaces inside and outside the
vehicle is avoided. The following areas are not appropriate shelter and should
be avoided:
Any area of higher elevation; wide-open areas
such as sports fields, tall isolated objects such as flag poles, light poles, or
trees; metal fences and metal bleachers, unprotected open buildings like
dugouts, picnic pavilions, rain shelters and bus stops.
When determining whether or not to suspend
play, the designated weather watcher should use his/her common sense and good
judgment. If a thunderstorm appears imminent before or during an activity or
contest (regardless of whether lightning is seen or thunder heard), postpone or
suspend the activity until the hazard has passed. Signs of imminent thunderstorm
activity are darkening clouds, high winds and thunder or lightning. Even storms
that are many miles away can pose a lightning danger. This may mean the
appropriate decision is to suspend activities even before the first sight of
lightning or sound of thunder.
All individuals should have the right to leave
an athletic site or activity, without fear of repercussion or penalty, in order
to seek a safer structure or location if they feel they are in danger from
impending lighting activity. Safety is the number one consideration, the
activity can be made up later.
If activity has been suspended due to
lightning, the designated weather watcher should wait at least 30 minutes after
the last lightning flash or sound of thunder prior to resuming activity. Each
time additional lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the minimum 30-minute
waiting period should be reset. A clear sky or lack of rainfall are not adequate
indicators for resuming play. The minimum 30-minute return-to-play waiting
period should not be shortened. Play should not be resumed even after the 30
minute waiting period if any signs of thunderstorm activity remain in the area
or if the weather forecast indicates the threat is not over.
NO LIGHTNING SAFETY GUIDELINES CAN GUARANTEE
ABSOLUTE SAFETY. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY PERSON TO BE AWARE OF WEATHER
CONDITIONS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE SAFE. USE COMMON SENSE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT. PLAN AHEAD AND MAKE SAFETY YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
For more information about severe weather
threats and tips, see the National
Weather Service website or the National
Severe Storm Laboratory website.
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