Rain outs and Make Ups

 The below message was initially sent out on 24 April, we still have teams telling us they can not play make ups.  Our age coordinators have been remiss in allowing this to happen (they have been trying to work with you).  We may have to cancel some games altogether because of this but will try not to.

We have exactly 14 days (of which 9 have reg. games scheduled already) to finish the Rec season and can add another 5 to that to finish the open season (Week of 9-13 Jun). We do not make this decision with intent to harm/upset anyone or any team, but IF YOU CAN NOT PLAY WHEN RESCHEDULED FOR, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A FORFIET or if niether team can play, the game will be canceled and not made up.  We are simply out of time.

Scheduling and rescheduling and then rescheduling for 153 teams is not easy and obviously the weather has not helped.  I have heard we have had the wettest spring on recent record and there is no doubt the past 3 springs have been extremely wet..

If anyone can play Friday 23rd May (fri before memorial day weekend please let your age coordinator know. that would add another day). We do not intend to schedule games 23-26 May due to Memorial Day.

I appreciate your understanding in this. See the below message for more details. We hate that it comes to this and as coaches ourselves, we understand and share your frustration. 

Sincerely,

David Hays

------- 24 Apr 2008
Looks like we are going to be blessed with another wet spring. As discussed in the coaches meeting we made significant changes to how we reschedule rain outs. Thus far we are still experiencing some issues but it has been smoother and should continue to improve. One thing we need Coaches help on is...

When notified of a reschedule please understand that field space is limited and we are already having far too many reshedules of reschedules due to other than weather reasons.

In order to get games played please understand that you are expected to play when your game is scheduled for.  This includes make ups.  We can no longer postpone make ups as we continue to have rain outs and keep adding make ups.  If you can not make a rain out or scheduled game you must contact your age coordinator immediately (per our rules teams must notify the league at least 24 hrs in advance of a no show or be subject to a fine).  Please do not interpret this to mean calling 24hrs ahead means you will not forfeit.  Ask your age rep to let you know of other teams that may need to play the same team you are playing and suggest that you call them to arrange a game trade.  If no trade can be made and you can not play you will have to forfiet.   Please note if you do trade your age rep must be contacted 24 hrs before and made aware of the change.

We hate that it comes to this but this is the hand that we are dealt with this weather pattern.  We do not make this decision lightly as we understand that their is life outside of baseball. 

Last year we made this decision too late and many teams had a hard time playing 4 -5 games in a week at the end of the year.

A few of the many options that we always consider are discussed below:

Extending the season is never a good option for us as many people have summer vacations  planned already and some teams would rather not play well into June.

We may use unused fields Fri, Sat, and Sundays on tournament weekends. 

Cancel and do not make up games, is not an option we want to pursue, we want everyone to get to play their full schedule.  Some leagues do not make up rain outs, we have never liked that option. Some teams do decide to not make up games but we prefer you play.

Shorten game times to allow more games per make up day; we do not like this option either as again it cuts down on play time. It may come to this, but not if we all play when rescheduled.

Play multiple games per team per make up day; We typically do not like to schedule a team for more than a double header in one day.  This has been done in the past but we try to limit it. Do expect a double header if we continue to get rain outs.

Playing/starting later (summer); We have a summer league (and fall)  that teams can join. Our spring season is just that and we hoepfully will get a little less rain. 

Please stay in contact and communicate with your age coordinator frequently. If you have not heard from them call or e-mail them.

Thank you for your understanding
Dave Hays