Calling the game for cold weather

quote:

Originally posted by 08Dad:
As I sit here in the Pacific Northwest, waiting for my son's league opener, currently scheduled for tomorrow, I was thinking - at what point would the umpire call the game on account of cold.

Never.

quote:

As a reference point, the noon temperature today was about 28 degrees. Game time tomorrow is noon. Forecast is for clear and cold tomorrow...

The ump should try to not ever call a game on account of cold. Conditions like that are up to home team personel, AD's/coaches/etc, BEFORE the game starts. Once the game starts, precipitation and/or lightning is about the only way to call a game in regards to weather. Chapter 10 of the Federal Regulations manual says the home ump has control over anything not covered in the rules. So, I suppose the situation could arise where it is, say, 28 degrees already; and a cold(er) front comes in mid-game and players are cramping up. Very unlikely, but it could happen.

As long as the field is safe for play, I'll never call it. If they want to quit because it's too cold, fine. If they are willing, then so am I.

I would think the coaches would call it before it starts if it is supposed to get super cold, it will start sawing $300.00 bats off. Come to think of it, that may be the breaking point to calling it. Break a couple of bats and it could be considered dangerous.

Cancelling the game for cold would be the AD/coach concern....Before they turn the game over to me... and barring any bad field conditions..... we will play...

I've worked games that were played in 28 degree weather and below. I had to pause one game when flurries started up so thickly that I could not track the ball to the plate. After a 15 minute delay, we started up again.

If low temperatures are of concern to coaches, then they should cancel the game. It is not a legitimate reason for an umpire to call the game. (Barring safety concerns with so low of temperatures or a combination of temperatures and winds that create an in issue of instant frostbite.)

Sounds like I will get to watch a couple of baseball games today then - glad the trip is unlikely to be in vain...

quote:

Originally posted by 08Dad:
Sounds like I will get to watch a couple of baseball games today then - glad the trip is unlikely to be in vain...

Bundle up

NWC?

Yup nwc. 30 degrees at game time. Bbcor bats in frozen weather not a pretty sight.