Thunderstorms and Sports

[skater]

Is it just me or do kids get killed somewhere in this country by lightening every year? (I haven't checked statistics, it just seems that its in the news each year). Why then, is it so hard to get coaches to pull kids off the field - not just in games, but even in practices? Years ago, I embarressed my DD by pulling her out of a softball game - it was thundering, lightening, AND raining! Last night, (after much lightening) my son's soccer coach canceled practice ONLY after a parent "intervened." Thankfully, it didn't have to be one of us this time, but why should I have to worry about this? Thanks for letting me rant a little .

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Depends on the storm and if lightning is imminent or if it is a distance light rumble of thunder.

But where I came from, it was taken pretty seriously. Then again, we have had people die tragically and it would be reckless to do otherwise. (I have personally lost a former co-worker to a lightening strike that killed her and severely injured her son. Tragic!)

But if there is a sky flash from 10 miles away, but no bolts...practice may continue if the skies indicate it isn't traveling in our direction.

That was in Florida.

Here, our soccer team is purely recreational and if there is a thunderstorm present or imminent, we cancel.

 

[CurlyGirl]

DS's soccer team will play in rain and thunder. If there is any lightning in the area (visible lightning, not forecasted lightning), game/practice is called off. We've even waited out passing lightning (love the parents with weather tracker on their i-phones) to continue the game once it's crossed!

 

[tazdev3225]

My DGS's league it is mandatory to stop. Thunder heard or lightening seen and there is 15 minute wait period, usually the game is called though. I coach T-ball and the first threat of a storm and we call the game or practice. Storms sometimes blow over but it's not worth the risk.

 

[SideshowBob]

Here in Central Florida they have these very sensitive alarms systems set up (Florida is #1 in deaths by lightening I believe) that go off if lightening occurs within 10 mile (or so) radius of the field. Sometimes skies will be fairly clear but a mandatory "evacutation" occurs for all players to cars on interior space. Then there is a time limit after the alarm no longer soundimg (or strobes) before they can go back out.

 

[Cinderella94]

Here in MD (at least where I am) the show will almost always go on--unless it's swimming of course.

 

[dngnb8]

We were playing softball in a mens league at night. a super cell pushed through. Ump didnt call the game until we had a downstrike about 150 yards away. before he called the game, people were already running to their cars.

 

[Mkrop]

They seem to take it pretty seriously in the sports my kids have played, esp baseball, not good to have someone standing out there with an aluminum bat.

 

[krcit]

My DGS's league it is mandatory to stop. Thunder heard or lightening seen and there is 15 minute wait period, usually the game is called though. I coach T-ball and the first threat of a storm and we call the game or practice. Storms sometimes blow over but it's not worth the risk.

This is the rule for my kids softball/baseball. I would have no problem pulling my kid off the field if there was lightning. Rain, no big deal.

 

[luvmy3]

The rule here (for baseball ) is if thunder is heard, kids get pulled from the field and wait 20 minutes. It may take them a few rumbles before they actually do it though.

 

[skater]

They seem to take it pretty seriously in the sports my kids have played, esp baseball, not good to have someone standing out there with an aluminum bat.

I wish they always took it seriously. It makes me so nervous. One baseball game several years ago, we couldn't see an approaching storm (due to tall trees) and a storm "snuck up on us." When it hit, I could feel the hair stand up on my arms (not sure if it was fear or electricity ). It scared me pretty bad though and I remember yelling at my kids to run to the car. Anyway, I know that lightening can be deadly, and I feel that no sports game is worth it - even in club level sports - its just a game! I don't want to be "that" parent (meaning hysterical), but it is just something that scares me a lot.

 

[Leajess99]

Is it just me or do kids get killed somewhere in this country by lightening every year? (I haven't checked statistics, it just seems that its in the news each year). Why then, is it so hard to get coaches to pull kids off the field - not just in games, but even in practices? Years ago, I embarressed my DD by pulling her out of a softball game - it was thundering, lightening, AND raining! Last night, (after much lightening) my son's soccer coach canceled practice ONLY after a parent "intervened." Thankfully, it didn't have to be one of us this time, but why should I have to worry about this? Thanks for letting me rant a little .

Your child's soccer coach needs to be reprimanded. As a soccer coach, I am responsible for immediately removing my players from the field at the first lightning strike or if the thunder is extremely loud like right on top of us. Rain is not a big issue most times unless it is the straight drowning downpour that makes the field dangerous.

The leagues I have been in require us to clear the field for lightning and WAIT 30 minutes in our vehicles or under SAFE cover AFTER the LAST lightning strike. There are still some coaches that have to be yelled at to get their players off the field and to just leave the soccer balls and what not as those are replaceable and players not so much.

I would go to the commissioner for your child's age group or even the league president. If you get no where there than keep going up to the next level. No parent should have to tell a coach to stop after lightning has been going on.

Oh and never be sorry for venting about such a dangerous thing. I am big on safety and I intend on keeping my players around so they can continue to succeed in soccer and hopefully in life as well.