Inclement Weather Affecting Outdoor Venues
I. On threatening days, game management should consult with contest officials about steps to be followed if conditions worsen.
II. When lightning has been observed or thunder is heard, the contest must be suspended. Officials and game management may consult weather applications to make suspension, resumption, and continuation decisions using the following policies: When lightning has NOT been observed, and thunder is NOT heard, the contest must be suspended. When independently validated lightning-detection devices or mobile phone apps are available, this technology could be used to assist in making a decision to suspend play if a lightning strike is noted to be within 10 miles of the event location.
a. At night, under certain atmospheric conditions, lightning flashes may be seen from distant storms. In these cases, it may be safe to continue an event before the full 30-minute suspension has expired. If no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a further threat. Independently verified lightning detection information would help eliminate any uncertainty.
b. Severe weather with precipitation (rain or snow) may make the field unplayable.
III. If lightning has not been observed and thunder has not been heard, the contest must be suspended if independently validated lightning-detection devices or mobile weather applications indicate a lightning strike within 10 miles of the event location.
a. When a contest is suspended, the home school administration shall attempt to arrange for the security of all participants. Contestants and support personnel shall be moved to appropriate indoor facilities.
b. When lightning is observed, or thunder is heard, and the contest is suspended, contestants shall not return to the playing field until lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been heard for 30 minutes unless the resumption criteria in Item II-b. above have been satisfied.
c. Spectators shall be advised of the action being taken to seek shelter. (Some hosts may be able to offer shelter to spectators, but are not required to do so.)
d. The final decision shall consider liability and conditions of facilities as well as future schedules, the need to play the contest, and finally, the quality of all other options.
Regular-Season Contest Delays
When a league or conference does not have a written policy regarding late contest start time, the following MHSAA policy shall apply:
- If a team fails to arrive for a regular-season contest at the time stated on the contract, it shall be necessary for the host administration to delay the contest, declare the game forfeited, reschedule the contest, or declare the event “no contest.”
- If the host management has been notified of the reason for the delay and projected arrival, the officials must stand by for 60 minutes beyond the scheduled starting time. When the team arrives, a reasonable amount of time must be provided for the visiting team to conduct a pregame warm-up. In any case, warm-up shall not be less than 15 minutes.
- If the host management has not been notified that there is a delay and the reason for it, the officials have permission to leave the site, without obligation, 30 minutes after the contracted start time has passed.
(In MHSAA tournament play, the Participating School Tournament Information for each sport will prescribe the specific action to be taken. For regular-season play, league and conference policy supercedes the policy above, so coaches and officials should inquire with their league to see if any policy exists.)
Tornado Policy
IF THERE IS A WATCH OR WARNING AT AN MHSAA TOURNAMENT SITE —
A. Watch or warning issued at least three hours prior to the event:
1. If the local district policy closes the tournament facility, all participating teams must be called and informed of postponement with information pertaining to next playing date and time included in the call.
2. If the host district policy does not close the facility, all participating schools who have not called the host must be called to be sure all who are scheduled to play will be present. (The participating school local policy must prevail).
a. If one team of a dual type competition (i.e. Baseball Tournament) cannot be present by their policy, no contest shall be held. The competition for that day/night must be rescheduled on the next possible day.
b. If the competition is multiple team type (i.e. Track, Tennis), the meet shall be conducted as long as a reasonable number of teams (60 percent) can be present.
B. Watch or warning less than three hours before event:
1. If the competing teams are enroute, no decision shall be made until both teams in a bracket have arrived or contact has been made, unless local policy forbids use of facility once the watch or warning has been issued.
2. If competing teams arrive, are on the premises, and local policy permits, play the contest when and if time permits.
3. If it is not possible that date, reschedule for next playable date.
4. Local policy shall always prevail.
C. Watch or warning first issued during contest:
1. Suspend play.
2. Take necessary steps and precautions as directed by local policy.
3. Resume play at the point of suspension as soon as permitted. If not that day/night, then reschedule for the next possible date.
II. IF THE WATCH OR WARNING IS IN AN AREA OF ONE OR MORE COMPETING SCHOOLS AND NOT AT A TOURNAMENT SITE:
A. It shall be the responsibility of the competing school to inform the manager of the tournament immediately.
B. The decision as to play or not to play shall be made by the Tournament Manager, based on the information presented and the type of sport event involved.
1. If one or more local policies do not permit travel or competition, the game, games, or tournament shall be postponed.
2. If the scheduled competition is of a multiple team nature (i.e. Track and Field), the competition may take place even though all teams are not able to be present. (60 percent is suggested guideline).
3. The rationale for No. 1 and No. 2 hinges on the fact that in No. 1, both teams of a dual type competition must be present if a contest is to take place. No. 2 permits competition, even though all teams cannot be present.
C. If one or more schools are on the road to the tournament site at the time of watch or warning, no decision shall be and until contact has been made with all concerned. (An authorized person from the assigned schools).
D. If one school arrives on site and the opponent cannot travel due to local policy, the game shall be postponed and rescheduled on the next possible date.
GENERAL GUIDELINE: The local Tournament Manager has full jurisdiction over the policies of the tournament site. If the above guidelines do not cover a certain situation, the decision on the matter shall be that of the Tournament Manager.