Hello Coaches and Parents! As the weather heats up we would like to remind you of our weather policies and guidelines. The information below can be found on our website within our Operations Manual regarding heat index and game play. Below that, is our inclement weather, thunder and lightning policy that can be found on our website under the “Fields” tab. We would like to emphasize that parents are ultimately responsible for making the decision to allow their player to participate in any weather condition. If you have any questions regarding these policies please email [email protected]

III. Practice and Policy.

a. Education. Coaches should review this policy each season. The heat index chart will be posted online for reference along with this policy and the Heat Index Recommendations (below).

b. Practices. Coaches should take into account the heat index when planning practice sessions. During practices, coaches should consider the intensity of activities and offer additional breaks for rest and water. Coaches may cancel practices for extreme weather conditions but must notify the Fields Coordinator or Office of any decision to do so. Parents may elect not to allow players to participate, but should notify the coach of such decision.

c. Games. Games should be adjusted as the heat index rises. Coaches and referees should cooperate to offer water breaks or shorten the games. Water breaks can be added stoppages within a half, or the game might be divided into quarters instead of halves. Games can be shortened by reducing each half by up to ten minutes.

d. Heat Index Recommendations. Club and team officials as well as tournament officials should monitor the heat index (by weather radio, online or the Weather Channel) and keep the participating teams and game officials informed of the heat index. Coaches are encouraged to also monitor the conditions. The following are recommended when there is a possibility of dangerous high heat index:

   Heat Index              Recommendation

   Up to 90°                Normal play.

   91°-99°                   Add a two-minute water break per half with running time. Shorten each half by five minutes.

   100°-105°               Add a two-minute water break per half with running time. Shorten each half by ten minutes.

   106°+                     Suspend play.

e. Parents are ultimately responsible for making the decision to allow players to participate or not in hot weather conditions. In the event a team is unable to play due to lack of players during a hot weather event, the game or activity may be removed from the schedule and shall not be required to be rescheduled.

STAFFORD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

INCLEMENT WEATHER, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING GUIDELINES

When inclement weather is forecast all staff on duty at any park or county facility should be observant of weather conditions. When severe weather that includes thunder or lightning is expected these general guidelines will be followed. Safety of park patrons is paramount.

• Sports Fields
  Upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning the officials (coaches, umpires and referees) shall suspend the game and clear the field.
• Officials (coaches, umpires and referees)  shall direct participants and spectators to go to their vehicles or some other enclosed substantial structure. (Dugouts and picnic shelters are not suitable, safe structures during a lightning storm.)
• Persons will not be permitted to reenter the facilities until 30 minutes after the last time thunder was heard or lightning was seen.
• If staff is on site and inclement weather is likely, before games start staff shall confirm with the officials (coaches, umpires and referees)the department policy on thunder and lightning.
• Upon observing thunder or lightning staff shall notify the officials  (coaches, umpires and referees)and identify the direction it came from.
• Staff shall give the officials the opportunity to suspend or terminate the game.
• If the officials (coaches, umpires and referees) take no action in a reasonable amount of time (within minutes) and severe weather persists, staff shall blow one long, 2 second, blast on an air horn to notify all park patrons of the need to proceed to their vehicles or other enclosed substantial structure.

General Park Areas

If staff is on site and upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning, staff shall notify patrons that they need to proceed to their vehicles or other enclosed substantial structure. (Dugouts and picnic shelters are not suitable, safe structures during a lightning storm.)