Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
Emergency Weather And Lightning Policy Information
The Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball/Softball Board of Directors has developed a weather and lightning
safety policy to minimize the risk of injury from a lightning strike to players, coaches, support staff and fans. In the
case of inclement weather and lightning the Board has purchased SKYSCAN LIGHTNING/STORM DETECTORS.
These detectors and other communication devices will be available at the various Baseball and/or Softball diamonds
utilized by Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues. This electronic device for detecting
lightning, as well as the Flash-to Bang method detailed in this policy, will assist League Officials (i.e.
attending/available Grounds Chairpersons, League Heads and Field Umpires) to determine and provide details to
head coach(es), players, support staff and fans that practice or competition needs to be terminated for the safety of
all involved. This policy being implemented is based off, and decisions to terminate
play for this league have been based on similar NCAA recommendations concerning threatening weather and review
of various University policies made available on the WEB. It is the decision of the board that once notice has been
made that severe weather or lightning is in the area, within the provided guideline, that all personnel should
IMMEDIATELY seek shelter at any available designated area, (grounded Facility Shelters, Baseball or Softball
Dugouts, or personal automobiles, etc.). Note: This Policy will also be available on the following website:
www.BatesvilleBabeRuth.com
Lightning Safety Policy
Lightning is a dangerous phenomenon. Being Baseball/Softball is mainly an outdoor sport, all teams associated with
the Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Youth Baseball/Softball league are at risk when there is inclement weather and
need to comply with this Policy. The Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball/Softball Board of Directors has
developed a lightning safety policy to minimize the risk of injury from a lightning strike to players, coaches, support
staff and fans. To monitor lightning, the League Heads and Umpiring staff will utilize either and/or both the
SkyScan Lightning/Storm Detector and the Flash-to-Bang Method. Once a game or competition has begun, the
umpire or league head official holds the responsibility of game termination. Again, this policy is similar to the
recommendation provided in the 2006-2007 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook regarding lightning safety.
GENERAL POLICY: All available/attending League Officials (i.e. Board Members and League Heads), and
Umpires will subsequently monitor the weather at the ball diamonds and will make the decision to notify the head
coach(es) of dangerous and/or severe weather situations and enforce the suspension of activity in the event of
lightning. Exceptions will be made for any activity (such as practices) where any League Officials (i.e. Board
Members and League Heads) or Umpires is not in attendance, whereby the supervising coach is responsible and
should suspend activity. The decision to suspend activity will be based on any of the two detection methods
provided below:

Two subsequent readings on THE SKYSCAN LIGHTNING/STORM DETECTOR in the 8-20 mile range
regardless of the presence of visible lightning will provide a signal that possible severe weather is in the
area. At that time the umpires will notify the head coach(es) and at that time all game or practice activities
are to cease IMMEDIATELY, and all players, coaches, and fans are to seek shelter. (Note: This device is
portable and will be in the concessions stands within the Baseball and/or Softball fields where league
officials and/or umpires can easily access or obtain detector range readings, or hear the audible tone).

Alternate Method: Utilization of the Flash-to-Bang Method (Count the seconds from the time the
lightning is sighted to when the clap of thunder is heard. Divide this number by five to obtain how far
away, in miles, the lightning is occurring.) Obtained from the 2006-2007 NCAA Sports Medicine
Handbook. If it reveals lightning to be within 6 miles, (a 30 second count between the flash of lightning and
the bang of thunder) activity is to be suspended IMMEDIATELY and everyone should seek shelter
immediately.
o PROCESS for the “Flash-to-Bang” method of lightning detection:
 Auditory: Flash-to-Bang Theory –
 To use this method, count the seconds from the time the lightning “flash” is
sighted to when the clap of thunder “bang” is heard. Divide this number by five
to obtain how far away (in miles) the lightning is occurring. For example, if
fifteen seconds are counted between seeing the “flash” and hearing the “bang”,
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Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
Emergency Weather And Lightning Policy Information
fifteen divided by five equals three. Therefore, the lightning flash is
approximately three miles away.
 Each five seconds equals one mile
 If the time between seeing the “flash” and hearing the “bang” is between 15-30
seconds (3-6 miles), teams should take precautions and seek shelter.
Note: The National Severe Storms Laboratory recommends that by the time the spotter obtains a
“flash-tobang” count of fifteen seconds, all individuals should have left the athletic site and
reached “safe shelter".
PRIOR TO COMPETITION: Prior to each game, either the League Head and/or Umpire will meet with both
coaches and make sure that each coach understands, and if necessary, explain that we have a means to monitor the
lightning and what determines the stoppage of play during the game, if there is imminent danger from the lightning.
The coaches need to understand that it is either the game Umpire(s) and/or the League Head (if available) that will
decide whether to discontinue play based on these policy guidelines.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITY: Once it is determined that there is danger of a lightning
strike, the Field Umpires will notify the head coach(es) and/or league official, and subsequently an announcement
will be made to immediately remove all athletes, coaches, and support staff from the playing field or practice
area/facility.

STANDARD ANNOUNCEMENT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER – “ May I have your
attention? We have been notified of approaching inclement weather. Activity will cease until we have
determined it is safe and the risk of lightning is diminished. We advise you to seek shelter
immediately.”
EVACUATION OF THE PLAYING FIELD: Immediately following the announcement of suspension of activity,
all athletes, coaches, officials and support personnel are to evacuate the field and seek the nearest enclosed grounded
shelter or structure.
OUTDOOR INSTRUCTIONS: If no safe structure or location is within a reasonable distance, find a thick grove of
small trees surrounded by taller trees, a dry ditch without water, or seek a flat area (do not choose an open area
where you will be the highest object). When there, crouch down wrapping your arms around your knees and lower
your head to minimize contact with the ground and wait for the storm to pass. (Obtained from the 2006-2007 NCAA
Sports Medicine Handbook). REMEMBER: an automobile, or open shelter are not ideal shelters, but will offer you
some protection from a lightning strike. Do not touch any metal structures directly after a lightning strike.
RESUMPTION OF ACTIVITY: During practice or game competition, activity may resume under the following
conditions. This decision will be based on:
 Thirty minutes AFTER the last lightning strike within an 8-20 mile range on the SkyScan Lightning
Detector.
 Alternate Method: Thirty minutes AFTER the last lightning strike within a 6-mile range using the
Flash-To-Bang method. During a game situation, the activity will resume once the Game Umpire
and/or League Head and Coaches have conferred and the above criteria have been met.
Lightning Detection Procedures for Players and Teams during Non-Supervised Activities
Examples: Teams using ball park facilities in the off season, or outside of regular practice hours
Most likely in the case of non-supervised team or individual player practices the SKYSCAN LIGHTNING/STORM
DETECTOR will not be accessible to determine the approximate distance of a lighting strike and it will be the
responsibility of the Head and Assistant Coaches to terminate practice. Therefore, it is the decision of the
Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball/Softball Board of Directors that the best and safest measure for coaches
and players is that they seek shelter whenever you see thunderclouds forming and remain there until the storm
passes. Just because you cannot see lightning does not mean you are not at risk if you are outdoors. Per the
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Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Youth Baseball/Softball Leagues
Emergency Weather And Lightning Policy Information
National Weather Service, other warning signs of impending bad weather include: sudden decrease in temperature,
sudden change in humidity, increase in air movement, and visible dark storm clouds (though these are not always
present during a lightning strike).
As a coach or assistant coach, you should be aware that the Batesville Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball/Softball
Board of Directors staff has a lightning detection policy in place for regular and tournament season games; however,
we are aware that players often use Baseball and/or Softball facilities when there is no supervision by the coaches.
In the event players are using the facilities without supervision, the Board believes that you as a coach should take
the time to educate your players and encourage them to use the FLASH-to-BANG method to monitor the proximity
of lightning and to seek shelter whenever they see thunderclouds forming and remain until the storm passes.
Remember: THE FLASH-to-BANG method is an approximation of the distance of the lightning. NO
METHOD OF LIGHTNING DETECTION CAN DETECT EVERY STRIKE.
MISC: OTHER LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS - (Obtained from National Weather Service and the 2006-2007
NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook)
1. There should be no contact with metal objects (bleachers, fences, bats)
2. Avoid single or tall trees, tall objects, and standing in a group.
3. If there is no other shelter, you may seek refuge in a hardtop vehicle. It is not the rubber tires that protect
from lightning; it is the hard top metal roof that dissipates the lightning around the vehicle. Roll up the
windows. Do not touch the sides of the vehicle.
4. The existence of blue skies and/or absence of rain are not protection from lightning. Lightning can strike 10
miles from the rain shaft.
5. DO NOT LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND
6. Avoid using a land line telephone. Cell phones are a safe alternative if in a safe structure.
7. Avoid standing water and open fields
8. If in a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick grove of small trees.
9. If you feel your skin tingling, immediately crouch and grab your legs and tuck your head as
described above to minimize your body’s surface area.
10. Persons who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. Therefore, enact the EMS
system and provide emergency care. If possible, move the victim to a safe location.
11. For additional information, refer to the National Lightning Safety Institute at www.lightningsafety.com
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