Applies to all regular season through NYSPHSAA Finals
- Thunder and lightning necessitates that contests be suspended. The occurrence of thunder &/or lightning is not subject to interpretation or discussion – thunder is thunder, lightning is lightning.
- With your site administrator, set up a plan for shelter prior to the start of any contest.
- When thunder is heard and/or when lightning is seen, the following procedures should be adhered to:
- Suspend play and direct participants to go to shelter, a building normally occupied by the public of if a building is unavailable, participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van, car)
- Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and have all stay away from poles, antennas, towers and underground watering systems,
- After thunder and/or lightning have left the area, wait approximately 30 minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen before resuming play or competition.
YOUR FIRST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE ATHLETES AND SPECTATORS!
You are putting yourself in a very bad liability spot if you do not adhere to this policy. Remember to always rule on the side of safety.
Sections may opt to enact a more stringent policy, please check with your section for their policy.