Seattle PONY Baseball has developed the following Weather Guidelines based upon American Sport Education Program (ASEP) materials presented in their book “SPORT FIRST AID – A coach’s guide to preventing and responding to injuries”.
We believe that any judgments made about whether to start or to continue a practice or game must always be made in the interest of the safety of the players, coaches and fans. Coaches should monitor practice/game-day weather. If conditions are deemed unsafe, games and practices may be rescheduled.
Regarding the potential risk of lightning strikes, the following are guidelines suggested by ASEP:
STOP ACTIVITIES AND SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF A LIGHTNING STRIKE OR THUNDER OCCURS.
FOR LIGHTNING PROTECTION, BUILDINGS ARE THE BEST FORM OF SHELTER. IF SHELTER IS NOT AVAILABLE, VEHICLES WITH METAL ROOFS AND CLOSED WINDOWS ARE ANOTHER OPTION.
DO NOT LEAVE THE SHELTER UNTIL 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST LIGHTNING STRIKE OR CLAP OF THUNDER OCCURS. (This may seem excessive, but recent events in neighboring communities have resulted in the loss of life. Err on the side of caution.)
While less prevalent, tornadoes are certainly just as dangerous. If there is a danger of tornado, reschedule the practice or game. If you are caught in a tornado or in high, damaging winds: SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IN A BASEMENT, INNER ROOM, OR HALLWAY THAT IS AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
Weather Hotline
Rainout Hotline: 206-233-0055 (Information about Seattle field closures)
Rainout Email Alert: To subscribe to the Seattle Parks Field Closure Email Reports, please send an email from your preferred delivery address to: [email protected]
Regarding the Rainout Report from Seattle Parks and Recreation, please note:
- Emails will be sent only on days that any field is closed due to weather conditions.
- Seattle Parks makes the decision to close fields due to rain by 3:30 each day, the email notification will come at approximately that time and is supplemental to the existing rainout hotline at 206-233-0055
- Emails will not be sent on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend rainouts remain at the discretion of umpires, game officials, coaches and stewards
- Emails sent from the system do not accept replies