Question Number: 23233

League Specific 5/2/2010

RE: REC Under 13

Mark Palmer of Georgetown, KY USA asks...

This is specific to a game that was to take place today. There was bad weather in the area. The home team showed at the fields but the Visiting team whos club canceled their own home games thought surely that ment their away games were canceled as well. So, the visiting team did not show up at all. the question is. Do both teams need to show up at the fields before a game can be called by a ref due to inclement weather. It would seem that the 15 min forfeit rule for not showing up would trump the 30 min lightning rule.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Whatever the state and/or local rules are for the league/association are what will control.

If the team did not show up at all, that is their bad for not checking, and the forfeit rule would most likely triumph. However, again, this will depend on your state and local rules of play.

All the best.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some leagues have rules that if there is a weather advisory, such as a Tornado Watch, all games are off. Others leave it to the discretion of the officials at the field.

You have to know the rules of the competition. Just because one club cancelled games, that doesn't mean the other club did so. Absent a league rule on automatic cancellations, teams should show up at game time to see what will happen. Sometimes games can be delayed and played, preventing a reschedule.

I'd check with your league and see if the game could be replayed due to this simple misunderstanding. In a competitive league, I'd expect the forfeit rule to come into effect. But for recreational play, the important thing is to get game experience if at all possible.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As a general rule, unless specifically told the game was cancelled or all fields closed, both teams should show up.