Weather Policy
IMLAX Lightning and Weather Protocol
PRACTICES:
Lightning – To the best of our ability, coaches will monitor weather during practices. If we experience or receive a report of a lightning strike within six miles, practice will be delayed for 30 minutes (or ended early) and players and coaches will take shelter where available.
Snow – When snow prevents us from safely using a practice space, we will try to make a call to move or cancel by 2PM that day. We will use Demosphere and / or emails to communicate cancellations or changes.
Heat – coaches will maintain general awareness of heat conditions and allow for more water breaks. Players who feel ill should tell their coach and take a break from practice.
GAMES:
The safety of our players, coaches, referees, fans and staff comes first. In the event of adverse weather or unplayable field conditions, IMLAX reserves the right to:
- Cancel games partially or entirely
- Reduce game times, eliminate halftime or shorten time between games
- Finish games before inclement weather arrives
- Reschedule and/or relocate games
If there is a lightning strike within 6 miles of the facility, play will be suspended immediately and will not resume until 30 minutes after the last lighting strike within 6 miles of the facility.
Lightning delays are called by the officials and/or athletic trainers. The officials also call games due to darkness and field conditions. They will determine based on the rules when, and if, to proceed. Their decisions are solely for the safety of the players, so please respect their judgment on these matters.
1. Lightning delays a game during the first half of a game
- Game will be delayed and resumed after the delay. Game will resume in the 2nd half & the 2nd half shortened to 15 minutes running time
- If the same game is delayed a second time, the game becomes final with the score at the time of the delay as the final score.
- If a game becomes final and the score is tied, the end result is a tie
2. If a game is delayed in the second half
- The game becomes final with the score at the time of the delay as the final score.
- If a game becomes final and the score is tied, the end result is a tie
These situations are also applied if a field is deemed “unplayable” whether that be an official using their best judgement, or facility/field being closed for the remainder of the day due to the conditions. In most cases this would take place before any games are played in which case games would be rescheduled at a later date as coordinated by IMLAX.
In the event of any game day emergencies IMLAX staff can always be reached at the office number (801-590-9950). If any last minute cancellations or changes occur the website will be updated, and all parties notified immediately through the IMLAX website.
Game Cancellations
Lightning and Weather Protocol
The safety of our players, coaches, referees, fans and staff comes first. In the event of adverse weather or unplayable field conditions, IMLAX reserves the right to:
- Cancel games partially or entirely
- Reduce game times, eliminate halftime or shorten time between games
- Finish games before inclement weather arrives
- Reschedule and/or relocate games
If there is a lightning strike within 6 miles of the facility, play will be suspended immediately and will not resume until 30 minutes after the last lighting strike within 6 miles of the facility. All players, coaches, officials, and fans must leave the field and seek shelter until the lightning has passed.
Lightning delays are called by the officials. Officials also reserve the right to deem a field “unplayable” in which case the league will be notified and all remaining games scheduled for that field will be cancelled for the day. They will determine based on the rules when, and if, to proceed. Their decisions are solely for the safety of the players, so please respect their judgment on these matters.
- Any lightning strike/delay occurring within 15 minutes of the start time of the next scheduled game will result in a game cancellation for the day.
- If a lightning delay occurs during a game that game is concluded for the day.
- If the delay occurs during the first half of the game IMLAX will work with the teams/coaches to reschedule the game for a later date
- If the delay occurs during the second half of the game that game is considered final with the score at the time of the delay as the final score
- Following any delays games should resume on schedule at the next scheduled game, or as close to on schedule as possible once the 30 minute delay has passed.
Example 1 – 10am game has lightning delay occur in the first half. That game is concluded for the day, and IMLAX will reschedule at later date. The next scheduled game is an 11:15am start time, and gameplay will resume at 11:15am as scheduled.
Example 2 – 10am game has lightning delay occur in the final 15-20 mins. Team A leads Team B 4-3 at the time of the delay. That game is concluded for the day, and game is final with a score of 4 to 3 in favor of team A. The next scheduled game is an 11:15am start time, and gameplay will resume at 11:15am as scheduled.
Example 3 – The 10am game has already experienced a lightning delay. Gameplay is set to resume for the next scheduled game at 11:15am. Another lightning strike is observed, still within the 6 mile radius of the facility, at 11:01am. The 11:15am game is now cancelled for the day, and gameplay should resume at the next scheduled game at 12:30pm.
NOTE: The league reserves the right to modify the above protocol based on any specific game circumstances. The league also may make the final call on any game affected by weather delays. On site personnel will be communicating with league administrators to assist in these matters.