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Brief Information Regarding Weather and Fields
Weather conditions can pose problems for youth soccer games. This memo will help to clarify the issues and proper responses, regarding weather situations and the Milford-Hopedale Youth Soccer Program.
Closing Fields: Soccer fields may be CLOSED by a league (Milford-Hopedale Youth Soccer Association) representative or his/her designee. Usually, this is either the Field Coordinator, or President of the Association. At times, they will designate another individual (usually a member of the Board of Directors) to make this decision. The decision is communicated to the membership through the Fields Availability Hotline. Once a field is CLOSED, it cannot be re-opened during that day, due to the inherent communication dysfunction that would occur.
- A coach cannot CLOSE a field. They can refuse to play on it, in accordance with the rules of the Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) Association for travel or MHYSA for In-Town but they cannot CLOSE a field as a coach.
- A Referee cannot CLOSE a field, but can deem the field unplayable due to safety concerns. If this decision is made, it MUST be communicated to a member of the Board of Directors or Referee Assignor IMMEDIATELY. The Board Member or Referee Assignor must contact the League President (or his/her designee) IMMEDIATELY. The Referee’s decision is Final, for that game. If conditions change, and the field has not been closed, than a later scheduled game may be played.
Regarding SEVERE WEATHER, specifically thunder and lightening: thunder and lightening conditions are inherently dangerous, and the safety of players is paramount. If lightening is seen, or thunder is heard:
- the Referee must be immediately informed.
- The game shall be immediately suspended, and players/coaches/referees/others should immediately seek shelter.
- It is NOT ACCEPTABLE to argue with the Referee about this decision.
- Under no circumstances will coaches/referees assume that the situation is safe because of the distance/faintness of the thunder and/or lightening.
- The referee should note the time of the match and position of the ball when play is suspended.
- Players may return to the field after a minimum of 30 minutes since the last thunder is heard or lightening is seen.
- If the game cannot be completed, the referee notes the situation, including time of the game, score, and any yellow/red cards, on the game report.
- The league (BAYS for travel, MHYSA for In-Town) will decide what to do about the game.
You may read the USSF Position paper “Dealing with Severe Weather” (2003) at either the USSF website, or at www.massref.net.
“NO LIGHTENING SAFETY GUIDELINES WILL GIVE 100% GUARENTEED TOTAL SAFETY, BUT THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU AVOID THE VAST MAJORITY OF LIGHTENING CASUALITIES”
(from USSF Position Paper (2003)
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