The Caledonia Baseball Softball League follows MHSAA guidance and Little League recommendations. CBSL requests that the following CBSL Weather Policy be applied to all players, parents, managers, and coaches both during practice and game settings;
COLD:
When snow and/ or ice are present on the field, practice or games shall be canceled by the head or assistant coach, or game umpire.
Practice or games will not take place if the temperature with wind chill is below 35 degrees at the Tee Ball and Coach Pitch levels, and below 32 degrees for all divisions at and above Minors.
During cold weather days, when play remains, we ask that coaches use their discretion to keep everyone safe and the game enjoyable.
RAIN / LIGHTENING:
All CBSL board members, coaches, umpires and volunteers will use the Weatherbug and/or The Weather Channel app, as both have lightning alerts to monitor when, with the understanding that it indicates the lightning strikes in the area, within 10 miles of the cellular device.
Additionally, a Weather Radio is located at Cal Plex, which will be used to alert all in attendance that there are lightning strikes in the area.
When lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the contest must be suspended. The occurrence of lightning or thunder is not subject to interpretation or discussion — lightning is lightning; thunder is thunder
Upon suspension, players and their families must move immediately to their vehicles and remain there until the all clear is announced
The all clear will not be announced until lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been heard for 30 minutes
HEAT:
Tee Ball and Coach Pitch levels - Practice or games will not take place in the event that the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory during the scheduled event (sustained heat index over 100).
All divisions at Minors and above - Practice or games will not take place in the event that the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning during the scheduled event (sustained heat index over 105).
During warm weather days, when play remains, we ask that coaches:
- Provide ample amounts of water breaks.
- Provide dugout shade breaks.
- Watch/monitor athletes carefully, especially catchers. Coaches should consider limiting the number of innings a player can catch in extreme heat.
The CBSL board of directors will communicate all practice or game cancellations at 3:00pm EST on week days and 7:00am EST on weekends, if the weather is questionable for any of the reasons mentioned above.
Communication will be via GameChanger App, a league-wide email [check your Spam folder], a league-wide text and on our social media pages.
All that said, due to CBSL utilizing several field locations, the lack of personnel, unexpected weather conditions, etc. Coaches and Umpires are also authorized to order a cancellation, provided there is agreement from all parties.
If a practice or game cancellation is necessary, seek adequate shelter immediately. Adequate shelter is a building with plumbing and wiring such as a school, church, restaurant, or home. An automobile is also acceptable and in most cases the only option at a ball field. Picnic pavilions, dugouts, under trees, are NOT places of refuge.
Coaches will be responsible for making sure the players and umpires have adequate shelter, and that all players are returned to their parents or offer other arrangements.
Under the RARE instance where someone is struck by lightning, apply the following:
1. Call 911
2. The victim is NOT electrically charged and can be touched.
3. Often the heart’s rhythm is stopped due to the electrical charge. CPR or an AED will
oftentimes get the otherwise undamaged heart beating again.
4. If possible, move the victim to a safer location———Lightning CAN strike twice.
All weather, and non weather, incidents should be reported via our CBSL Incident Form, or emailed directly to [email protected].
Thank you all for your diligence, understanding and care of all CBSL Players, Umpires, Volunteers, and friends! We want this to be a wonderful season, when the weather allows!