Lightning Safety
Baseball Ontario and the Hamilton District Baseball Association follow Environment Canada’s guidelines with respect to lightning safety.
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
If you can hear thunder, you can be hit by lightning. Take shelter immediately. If you cannot find a sturdy, fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing, get into a metal-roofed vehicle. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
For all regular season house-league games, any games stopped (after the official game time) under the OBA Thunder Policy, would be considered over; and, for other times, the OBA Thunder Policy is to be applied.
Direct strikes are responsible for only 50% of lightning-related deaths and injuries. Two other types of hazardous phenomena are caused by lightning. Ground current and side flash account for 60-80% of lightning-related injuries and deaths. A ground current is set up when lightning hits the ground, spreads out and sends a current through a victim. Side splash occurs when lightning hits a tall object, travels partly down the object and then jumps to a nearby victim.
2013 Official Rules Of Baseball Rule Change
As of the 2013 season, it is considered a balk to fake a throw to third base and then throw to first in an attempt to throw out a baserunner, all HDBA guidelines for balks will apply to this situation.
