LIGHTNING

When lightning is observed or thunder is heard, the practice or contest must be suspended.  The occurrence of lightning or thunder is not subject to interpretation or discussion * lightning is lightning; thunder is thunder.  When lightning is observed or thunder is heard and the practice or contest is suspended, players shall not return to the playing field until the lightning has been absent from the local sky and thunder has not been heard for 30 minutes.

Some 500 people will be struck by lightning in North America this year, and 30% will be fatal.  Victims of minor strikes often don't realize or report it.  Teams who tried to finish a baseball game before "the rain came" and found their teeth buzzing, hair standing on end and tingling all over.  The amusement was terminated by a quick flash and loud thunder.  Everyone was fine, but it took days to piece together what happened.  The greatest danger in our community comes from killer bolts.  Lightning can kill before the rain starts!  Examples abound of people being struct while watching distant storms believing it to be safe.

This can result in "KILLER BOLTS" being launched ahead and also behind the storm front.  These bolts have been known to travel as far as 10 miles.  They kill without rain and sometimes during a "sunny game".