Turf Field and Rain

[cemyster]

I have worked a handful of games on new turf fields.  Last night was the first one with bad weather in the area.  No lightening or thunder.  Just a steady rainfall.  Thru the first 3 innings, it was okay.  Then it picked up a little harder.  I was soaked, players were soaked.  Coaches were willing to work on the baseballs, and go thru 8 new baseballs.  11U travel game.  Thankfully, mercy rule in the 5th.  The footing was fine, except for the last pitcher who was wearing running shoes.  His landing foot would slip a little.

 

So my question is, with the new turf fields, at what point do we cancel due to rain?  Are there any specific things we should look for?  The baseballs were not flying far, routine groundballs were turning into slow rollers.  In the last inning, 3 outs were missed due to players not holding onto the ball on routine plays.  I left wondering at what point we should be cancelling in the rain.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[cyclonehokiece]

Like any other field, take your signals, players slipping, no footing.  There is no hard and fast rule for turf as there is not one for non-turf, you just have to umpire.

[Minnz]

All about safety.  If everyone can play safe keep playing.

[noumpere]

  In the last inning, 3 outs were missed due to players not holding onto the ball on routine plays. 

 

That's a good sign to stop.

[MidAmUmp]

As long as they continue to provide dry baseballs and there's no lightning in the area...play on.

 

I worked earlier this year at the University of Kansas in a downpour.  They came out and fixed the mound every 1/2 inning and we kept playing.  We probably went through 10 dzn baseballs, but we got it in.  That's the advantage of turf.