There will be times during the season when weather will prevent games or practices from taking place as scheduled. We take our players safety seriously and will not allow access to the fields if they are unsafe due to moisture or lightning. You can keep up to date with field conditions and closures in the following locations:
Lightning, Rain and Hot Weather
from the Bastrop Little League Safety Manual
Lightning
With a thunderstorm, IF YOU CAN HEAR THE THUNDER, YOU CAN BE HIT BY LIGHTNING.
Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strikes coming from the storm’s overhanging anvil cloud.
On the average, thunder can only be heard over a distance of 3 to 4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain, and other factors. This means that by the time you hear the thunder, you are already in the risk area for lightning strikes.
The ultimate truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable and cannot be prevented. Therefore, a manager, coach or umpire who feels threatened by the approaching storm should stop play and get the kids to safety, regardless of whether or not the lightning can be seen or not, or the 15 second or less time between the flash and the sound has occurred.
For the majority of participants, the best area for them to seek shelter is in a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up. Avoid high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers, metal fences, and water.
When in doubt, the following rule of thumb should be applied:
WHEN YOU HEAR IT – CLEAR IT! WHEN YOU SEE IT – FLEE IT!
Rain
- Evaluate the strength of the rain. Is it a light drizzle or is it pouring?
- Determine the direction the storm is moving.
- Evaluate the playing field as it becomes more and more saturated.
- Stop practice if the playing conditions become unsafe—use common sense. If playing a game, consult with the other manager and the umpire to formulate a decision.
Hot Weather
Precautions must be taken in order to make sure the players on the team do not DEHYDRATE or HYPERVENTILATE.
- Suggest players take drinks of water when coming on and going off the field between innings.
- If a player looks distressed while standing in the hot sun, substitute that player and get him/her into the shade of the dugout ASAP.
- If a player should collapse as a result of heat exhaustion, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get the player to drink water and use the instant ice bags supplied in your First –Aid kit to cool him/her down until the emergency medical team arrives.