Weather Policy

Every effort should be made to play games at the original scheduled date and time.

Soccer is played in all types of weather as long as it does not create a dangerous situation. Coaches, players, referees, and fans should arrive at the game prepared to play in any type of weather.

Decisions to entirely cancel SOLD games will be made in collaboration between; Olmsted, Swatara, and Lower Dauphin.

Association Cancellation

Each team is expected to report to the scheduled field unless notified by SOLD that the game has been canceled. SOLD will cancel games if there are severe weather conditions that create hazardous play that could potentially cause harm to players or fields.

LD - Coaches and Referees are to check the soccer line 566-6950 for updated cancellation information. Cancellations decisions will be made and posted to the soccer-line by 7 am on game day.

SOLD will determine make up dates and times. These dates and times will be communicated to the coaches by the appropriate program manager.

Coach Cancellation

If a game is canceled by the coaches (both coaches must agree) prior to arriving at the field, that decision must be made and communicated 1 ½ hours prior to the scheduled start time. It is important to do this in a timely manner so that parents and players who might have a distance to travel can be notified prior to departure. Also, the ref will need to be notified and other clubs may be involved.

LD – Contact Bruce Barry 944-6075 or Dawn Becher at 566-4378

Clubs will encourage coaches to play games unless there is potential harm or a dangerous situation.

Coach/Field Marshal/Referee Cancellation at the Field

Upon arrival at the field, the game may be called by the coaches and field marshal with the referee agreement.

A game can be called under the following conditions:

* Danger to players (i.e., lightning, hail, etc.)

* Poor field/game conditions (i.e., excessive water on the field) that may cause injury to a player or damage to the field.

Any time the weather becomes dangerous the field marshal and coaches should instruct players and fans to seek shelter. Likewise, any time the field marshal, referee, coaches, or spectators see lightning (and notify the field marshal, referee and/or coaches), the game is to be suspended immediately, and the field marshal and coaches must instruct players and fans to seek shelter. The game should stop. If the game is in the second half, the game should be stopped and does not need to be rescheduled. If the game is in the first half when it is stopped it should be rescheduled. Referees are expected to complete the game when it is rescheduled, If they are not available, the home coach will provide a parent referee. Coaches should also apply these guidelines in canceling and restarting practices.

Upon agreement of cancellation of a game because of dangerous conditions, the home team must notify the referee assignor within 72 hours. Prior to contacting the referee assignor, both coaches must agree to possible date(s) and time(s) for a make up. The referee assignor will check on field availability and refs will be re-assigned.

Referee payment – When a referee shows up at a game where the field marshal and coaches have determined play is dangerous and the game should be canceled, the referee is entitled to payment.

The referee will be given first opportunity to referee the rescheduled game and be compensated for that.