Weather Cancellation Policies

Rain rain go away

Games may be cancelled and rescheduled for a later date if weather is too severe, fields are unplayable, or facilities are closed. Below are cancellation policies based on the type of league.

 

General Rules for All Leagues

 

  • Don't contact us by e-mail or phone to inquire about cancellations. This includes asking about "the chances games are cancelled." E-mails and voicemails inquiring about cancellations will not receive a response. Any cancellations will be posted on the website and e-mailed to all roster players IF games are actually cancelled.
  • Use common sense. We don't use any weather apps that aren't available to the general public. We can't always get cancellation notices out well in advance of any given match if it's raining after 5:30, but you should have a pretty good idea of whether your game will be able to be played by checking weather apps
  • We generally don't cancel anything based on forecasts. They're wrong far more often than they're right. We almost always default to playing until something actually happens to justify a cancellation. There are exceptions. We may cancel if the radar from multiple weather sites shows a giant red blob approaching that covers the entire metro area for an hour or more
  • Tornado watches mean nothing other than that the conditions exist for there to possibly be a tornado. They generally don't materialize and we will never cancel for a tornado watch
  • Games will be played if you don't hear anything from us by your game time, pending any change in the weather. We will e-mail players of upcoming games if we have to cancel before their game begins

 

Indoor Leagues

We don't cancel just because it's snowing. Indoor leagues are only cancelled if the facility at which games are held closes. If Madison schools are closed for any reason in the winter, we generally can't play at night. The district sometimes makes exceptions to this policy. If leagues are held at a private facility, they'll let us know if they're closing.

 

Outdoor Leagues

  • We must follow city rules regarding "unplayable fields." Generally it's not MSSC's decision to cancel games unless rain comes after 3 pm. If the city cancels games, we usually know by 3:00 pm for weekday games and 9:00 am for weekend games, and players will know shortly thereafter. If it is our decision the cancellation will likely come later, as we want you to play and will wait to make any decision to cancel
  • Just because "it's not raining right now," it doesn't mean the fields have dried since it did rain. Conversely, just because there's rain in the forecast doesn't mean it will actually come
  • There are different cancellation criteria for different sports. Softball and kickball are the most likely to be cancelled and don't require much rain to trigger the city to cancel. Flag football is generally played unless it's raining at game time or the fields are too waterlogged due to very  recent heavy rain. Volleyball will almost always be played unless it's raining at match time
  • Sometimes cancellations will come after some games have already started, but there's nothing we can do about changes in the weather

 

Games may be cancelled if air quality conditions warrant. MSSC will only cancel games altogether if the AQI is "hazardous." Any AQI lower than that but above "unhealthy for sensitive groups" will be put to a vote by team captains. It will generally be majority rules unless too many teams state they won't show up regardless and it would be pointless to hold games. Every situation will likely be different, and decisions will be made on a league by league basis.

 

It is not the responsibility of MSSC or the city to make individual decisions on health unless conditions are "hazardous." The city has stated their position on air quality as follows: “We encourage individuals to make their own decisions based on the advice provided by AirNow.gov for unhealthy air quality.” We will also check with our staff before proceeding with games, since we can’t have games without officials. No one is forced to play regardless of the vote by the team as a whole. Anyone who feels unsafe playing can choose to stay home.