WAA Weather Policy - Click to Review full policy.
Games should always be suspended for lightning and should not resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder. Please see detailed information in the WAA Weather Policy.
Parents always have the ultimate responsibility to make decisions regarding the participation and safety of their child.
During the warm weather WAA encourages participants to follow the guidelines below.
Game Time heat index of 88-95 degrees - Parents and Coaches are encouraged to take extra steps to protect their players by making sure they keep them hydrated and by encouraging frequent substitution during games and practices. Parents should make sure that players are hydrated prior to participating and that they are wearing sunscreen.
Game Time heat index of 96-99 degrees - Parents and Coaches are encouraged to take extra steps to protect their players by making sure they keep them hydrated and by encouraging frequent substitution during games and practices. Parents should make sure that players are hydrated prior to participating and that they are wearing sunscreen. In addition, catchers should be allowed to catch only two innings in succession.
Game Time heat index of 100-103 degrees - All procedures noted above and games should be reduced by one inning. If it is a practice day, coaches are instructed to reduce the time of practice, take frequent breaks and keep players well hydrated by having them drink water.
Game Time heat index of above 103 – Officials, coaches and parents should consider cancelling the game.
The above are merely guidelines and it is the responsibility of parents to make the ultimate decision as to the participation of their child in WAA events when heat may be a factor. Parents need to consider the age and physical condition of their child. Parents also have the ultimate responsibility to inform their child about the dangers of heat and need for protection, including sunscreen and proper hydration before, during and after an event. Parents and coaches should familiarize themselves with the signs of heat related illnesses. This information has been adapted from the American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand on Exertional Heat Illness during Training and Competition. Because WAA utilizes many sites in the area and weekend games occur throughout the day, we encourage coaches and parents to monitor the current conditions. The current heat index is available at: www.weather.com See the “feels like” temperature.
The information below is excerpted from the National Weather Service website (www.nws.noaa.gov)
NOAA's heat alert procedures are based mainly on Heat Index Values. The Heat Index, sometimes referred to as the apparent temperature is given in degrees Fahrenheit. The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored with the actual air temperature. To find the Heat Index temperature, please click on the link above.