Over the course of the day Thursday (the 23rd), more than a few people had questions or comments about the weather that they shared with me…which isn’t surprising since we were saying “RAIN” for one of the relatively few times in this drought year. But the topic that came up the most focused on high school football…and the lament that football should be played in the elements.
Several schools rearranged game schedules based on the forecast of rain for Friday the 24th; many who talked to me were wondering where the good ‘ol days of playing in the rain went.
I couldn’t provide a specific answer for that question. I don’t have any numbers to support it, but it does seem that when a threat of rain is around, we see more postponements now than we might have had five, six, or seven years ago.
There are numerous reasons why officials may make this decision: issues for the player’s health on a possible sloppy turf, the comfort of fans, attendance, keeping a “fair” playing surface and not letting weather dictate the outcome, not tearing up the field, and who knows what else.
Are there other considerations? If you’re a home team coach with a top-rated team coming to your place…do you want a sloppy track to slow the game down, giving you a better shot at the win? Do want to play at all costs? Do both teams have to agree? And why will some schools play in the rain, while others won’t?
Curious as to what your thoughts are on playing in the rain…and if you’ve ever been in the position to make these decisions, feel free to share your thoughts, too.
Remember, if there’s lightning anywhere close to a stadium, that should mean an immediate stop to the game with everyone seeking shelter; it’s definitely not worth the risk of a strike. Not only that, but thunderstorms may come with gusty winds that may pose a hazard…it’s always better to safely ride out the thunderstorms until the threat moves by.
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