Marlborough Soccer Club: MSC News of the day: Cancellations
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For policies and practices regarding inclement weather related game and practice cancellations, contact your coach directly.
Rain Out Guidelines
WeekDays -
Announcements are posted on the Park & Rec. cancellation line by 4:00 pm(295- ).
Please note that due to the number of disruptions to Park and Rec. servicescaused by inquiries about fields, they request that no one call the main number. Park
and Rec. will give out no field information prior to 4:00 pm.
In the event that they closethe fields the referee coordinator will notify the referees not to show up. The Coaches are
responsible for notifying their respective teams. If Park & Rec. does not close the fields
and you show up for your game and there are standing puddles of water or the water on
the field gives a "squishing" sound when you walk on it you should cancel the game on
the field and inform the referees who show up that the game is canceled.
WeekEnds -
For all Recreational games during the weekends, the club will cancel and will notify coaches and commissioners through a phone tree. A message will also be posted on the MSC hotline (295- ). The referee coordinator will notify the referees. In the event that it rains during the day, you are responsible for notifying your team. If the club does not close the fields and you show up for your game and there are standing puddles of water or the water on the field gives a "squishing" sound when you walk on it you should cancel the game and inform the referees who show up that the game is canceled.************************************************************
Travel Coaches and Managers:
For all travel teams (Select & District Rec. teams) the process is somewhat different than for our in-house Recreation program since you must also notify teams coming from other towns.
Week Days -
During the week (M-F) fields are closed by the Park and Rec. Dept. Announcements are posted on the Park & Rec. cancellation line by 4:00 pm (295- ). Please note that due to the number of disruptions to Park and Rec. services caused by inquiries about fields, they now request that no one call the main number. Park and Rec. will give out no field information prior to 4:00 pm. In the event that they close the fields the referee coordinator will notify the referees not to show up. You are responsible for notifying your team and/or the other team. If Park & Rec. does not close the fields and you show up for your game and there are standing puddles of water or the water on the field gives a "squishing" sound when you walk on it you should cancel the game, inform the referees who show up that the game is canceled and that they will be paid for showing up to the field.WeekEnds -
On the weekends, the Club makes the call to cancel games. If there is no chance the fields will be playable based upon a 6:30 AM walk of the fields by SCOG Board members, you will receive a call early (prior to 8 am) in the morning from the Travel Director instructing you that all games are canceled and we will automatically cancel the referees. A message will also be posted on the SCOG line (458-0421). If, as is more usual, the weather conditions are changing during the day and it is unclear from the early walk whether all games should be canceled, the decision to play will be in your hands. The rule of thumb is that if there are standing puddles of water or the water on the field gives a "squishing" sound when you walk on it you should cancel the game. When you cancel you should notify Susan Egan our referee coordinator (458-0421, SCOG line. She will the cancel the referees. To do this we need at least 2 hours notice! If the decision becomes a decision to be made at the field at game time you will need to tell the referees that show up of your decision and let them know they will be paid for showing up at the field. Please let Susan or Mike Schwartz (Michael.Schwartz@yale.edu, 453-1623) know that the game was canceled. If you have any questions regarding this guideline, please call Mike Ziskin (457-2068) .Dealing with Severe Weather from the ctreferee website
This position paper provides basic guidelines for dealing with lightning, windstorms, and other severe weather conditions. The peak season for severe weather occurs in the United States between May and August, typically in the late afternoon and early evening.
1. Lightning
a. Recognizing the threat
(1) Apply the 30-30 rule
When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less, seek proper shelter. If you can't see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good back-up rule. Wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.
(2) Know and heed warning systems and community rules
Many communities or park systems have lightning detection and warning systems. Use this information and obey the rules established by the community or park system.
(3) Know and apply the rules or procedures established by the competition authority
(4) Minimize the risk of being struck
Referees must protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant. Remember, if you can hear the thunder, you are within reach of lightning.
b. Seeking proper shelter
(1) No place outside is safe near thunderstorms
(2) The best shelter is a large, fully enclosed, substantially constructed building. A vehicle with a solid metal roof and metal sides is a reasonable second choice.
c. If there is no proper shelter, avoid the most dangerous locations:
(1) Higher elevations
(2) Wide open areas, including fields
(3) Tall isolated objects, such as trees, poles, or light posts.
(4) Unprotected open buildings
(5) Rain shelters
(6) Bus stops
(7) Metal fences and metal bleachers
d. If you cannot avoid these locations, crouch down on the balls of your feet, with your head tucked into your chest and your hands over your ears.
e. If someone is hit
All deaths from lightning result from cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, respectively, are the recommended first aid. Referees should become involved in such assistance only if they have proper training.
f. Remain calm. A calm official will often be able to prevent panic by young players.
NO LIGHTNING SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY,
BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF LIGHTNING CASUALTIES.
2. Other types of severe weather
a. Severe storms or tornadoes
Obey local rules and heed warnings (meaning that a severe storm or tornado has been sighted).
Clear the field and seek proper shelter immediately see above. Remember, according to standard weather warning terminology a "warning" represents a more immediately likely occurrence than a "watch."
b. Hurricanes
There is usually plenty of advance notice, so games will probably have been cancelled.
Look for
warning signs.
c. Hail
Stop the game, clear the field, and seek proper shelter see above.
NO SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARANTEED TOTAL SAFETY, BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASUALTIES.
If there is a possibility of severe weather, the referee and assistant referees should discuss these guidelines in their pregame meeting and ensure that all officials have a clear understanding of their respective duties. Referees in particular should clearly identify what assistance they expect in detecting and bringing to their immediate attention any dangerous weather conditions which may not be directly visible to them. If such conditions develop only after a match has begun, the referee should take the first stoppage opportunity to quickly review these matters with the assistant referees. A brief word to the coaches regarding steps the referee will take to ensure player safety in threatening weather conditions would be useful.
Connecticut State Referee Program
11 Executive Drive
Farmington, CT 06032
Tel: 860-676-1161
Email:
Info@CTReferee.org