AASA Weather Policy

The AASA board adopts the following policy regarding weather-related suspensions of play or cancellation of games.

This policy shall be posted to the league's Web site at AASAweb.org, and at the league office at Fuller Park.

Lightning

• When lightning is sighted during or before games, play will be suspended for a minimum of 20 minutes for severe weather to clear. Additional lightning sighted will restart the 20 minute count. Play can resume when board members or referees present concur that it is safe to do so.
• If a delay lasts more than 45 minutes, or if extended severe weather is forecast, games can be declared abandoned by:
  • a. consensus of the board members present (including members-at-large);
  • b. in the absence of board members, by consensus of the referees present; or
  • c. decision of the league president, whether or not present
• When a lightning suspension is called, referees MUST signal a suspension of play, pick up the game ball, and return to a covered location. Players should be told to return to their vehicles or seek cover until games are resumed, or declared abandoned.
• Games abandoned before half-time shall not be recorded as official games. Games abandoned after half-time, or resumed to allow at least half of the scheduled playing time shall be recorded as official games.
• League officers or board members present have the authority to apply these guidelines in the best way they see fit, with the safety of players and referees given greatest importance.
• Referees shall be paid in full for games shortened or abandoned due to lightning.

Rainouts

• Generally, games will continue as scheduled despite rainy or wet conditions, in the absence of lightning.
• In the event that the City of Ann Arbor notifies the AASA Board that fields are unplayable; OR that the president or board determine that playing after severe or sustained rains would cause excessive damage to the fields, games may be canceled.
• League officials or board members will make all efforts to announce cancellations at least 2 hours before kick-off to allow dissemination of the news.
• When a decision has been made to cancel games, the news shall be posted immediately on the league's Web site at AASA.org, and disseminated by various electronic means. The Referee Coordinator should also be contacted immediately by phone and/or e-mail to speed contact of the referees.
• Referees shall be paid in full when games are canceled on the same day due to rainouts, flooding or wet conditions. Referees shall not be compensated when games are canceled before the date they are to be played (for instance: due to severe flooding or by order of the city).