Rain Procedures
XIII.
CANCELED/TERMINATED MATCHES
VSL RAIN
HOTLINE 757-886-5092
A. Rainouts
1. In the event of inclement weather
or at any time there is a doubt as to the playability of the fields, at least
three (3) hours prior to the scheduled start of the first match of the day, the
home club MUST:
a. Verify the conditions of the
fields.
b. Immediately notify the VSL
Administrator when field(s) are unplayable.
c. The home team must notify the
opposing coach and/or manager when match(es) are cancelled due to unplayable
fields in sufficient time to prevent unnecessary travel.
2. If, after matches begin, field
conditions deteriorate which requires the cancellation of later matches, Club
Representatives shall notify the VSL Administrator and opposing coaches or
managers immediately.
3. If fields are under the control
of another club or activity (e.g., schools, park authorities) and these
organizations determine playability of fields, Club Representatives must
coordinate closely to ensure early decisions and proper notifications are made.
4. The following penalty for failure
to provide timely, accurate information of unplayable fields shall be assessed:
1. THE CLUB SPONSORING THE HOME TEAM
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ANY REFEREE FEES INCURRED.
2. ANY TEAM FAILING TO NOTIFY THE
OPPOSING TEAM’S COACH OR MANAGER WILL BE FINED AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE REFEREE
FEES. VSL WILL AWARD THE FINE TO THE OFFENDED TEAM.
5. When rain or inclement weather
creates unplayable fields, the VSL Administrator may relocate the scheduled
matches to playable fields. Teams shall be given as much notice as possible.
However, conditions may warrant very short notices. Teams are expected to be as
cooperative as possible so that rescheduled matches are minimized.
B. Referee Decision of Unplayable
Conditions
1. A referee, may suspend or
terminate a match due to weather conditions; i.e., lightning, rain, fog, fields
becoming unplayable in the opinion of the referee, etc. before or during a
match. Under these conditions, the referee’s decision is final. If at least one
half of the match has been played, the match shall be deemed complete and the
score shall stand.
2. After a referee cancellation, the
Home Team shall determine if remaining matches scheduled for the field should
be cancelled. In such cases, immediate notification of the VSL Administrator is
required. Club Representatives shall notify the opposing coaches and/or
managers.
3.
Inconvenience to the visiting team, who has traveled or may travel to the site,
cannot be avoided if weather conditions worsen during the visiting team’s
travel time.