Lightning Delay Rule

[WoVeU]

Like most blanket rules, is just bad! Stopping for lightning makes sense. But I have to question 2 things.

1) 6 miles, not real bad. But I'd prefer a rate. Begin watching at 12 miles out and go by the rate of approach. In Morgantown today they could have played a few more minutes the first time and likely 10-20 minutes the second time and still have time to clear the field and stands. Other times, in a huge stadium with a fast moving storm...8 or 9 miles out might be needed.
2) 30 minutes...don't like it. Again, I like a rate. Track any approaching and departing lightning and then go by heading and rate. (You can easily have a lightning strike 5 miles away, not have rain, and have another strike 5 miles away 30 or 40 minutes later and still never get rain.)

This could really wreak havoc on schedules the Big-10, Big East, and ACC this time of year. Safety is needed, but it looks a bit like overkill as usual.

[WoVeU]

And if they'd pay attention they would see the lightning follows a Mountaineer score...that is just God clapping!

[Spence]

I get why they do that. It takes a long time to empty a stadium. No need to push them and get people hurt. What I don't understand is Michigan - ahead with a delay says the game needs cancelled. Notre Dame - behind when the game is stopped decides to finish in the time it takes to play two games.

[Dossenator]

Last year at the Arkansas vs Ole Miss game in Fayetteville, AR they emptied the stadium twice due to lightning. After the second long delay very few fans even made their way back into the stands. I don't blame them for leaving.

[WoVeU]

Calling the game or continuing takes agreement from both schools.

The funny thing of it all, lightning is by no means the most dangerous part of a storm. Winds are always the most dangerous...what do they call that by?

People stayed in the stands at Puskar tonight and the stadium got hit, 15 minutes after the call. One guy got hit, not fatal, but don't know his condition, his prior condition was "drunk". If lightning was a great concern then I'd think they'd put Lightning Rods on the stadium.

[Cane from the Bend]

WoVeU ; if you didn't tune in to the SMU/A&M game until after you read my other post reply, then you missed some pretty good football.

A&M may have finished with what looks like a dominant score, but SMU moved the ball extremely well against `em. The Mustangs made a few silly mistakes which cost um 20 points.

A&M wasn't nearly as impressive as their score looked.

The Aggies did play solid D in the second half. Though, they need to make serious adjustments to survive 9 in-conference opponents.

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[Eric]

What was up with Padron getting yanked after 4 passes? This is a guy with a mountain of potential, I'm not sure why Jones didn't just leave him out there even with the two picks. McDermott isn't going to set the world on fire, at least with Padron you have a chance.

[GoBoilers]

Problem with the timing issue is storms will stall or speed up. Better to error on the side of caution. I saw what lightening did in the 1975 PGA Western Open to Bobby Nichols, Jerry Heard and Lee Trevino. I was off the course as the storm approached and heard the sirens going out. Did'nt realize what had happened until 3 hours later once I got home.

I also almost ran off the road a couple of years ago as lightning struck a tree 30 feet from where I was driving. I don't ever want to see that again!

[WoVeU]

No I missed it Cane...the Cable Box was recording 2 shows and had like 20 minutes or so to go. As I had watched so much ball over the weekend and it was in the 4th I just let it go! Thought it better than tick the kids off...and I can recall my "sacrifice" if needed in the future.

[Brian Roastbeef]

I thought many stadiums already did have lightning rods. Can't say for certain though.

I expect some of the overzealous approach to safety here is likely reaction to the sad events that stage collapse at the Indiana State fair, agreed with the OP though that blanket rules are usually more awkward than effective. The alternate though - common sense and personal responsibility on a case by case basis - generally tends to be avoided as it comes with greater legal liability.

The 30 mins rule is what seems the oddest to me, though. I have to believe I've seen quicker returns to play after lightning warnings on the PGA tour. Certainly the crowds aren't as large as a packed stadium, but the land area and risk of getting hit has to be greater (I know Retief Goosen was struck by lightning when he was starting his career...).

[WoVeU]

Never seen any at the stadiums I have been to. (Not many.)

There isn't one in the corner that got struck by lightning at Puskar Stadium...here is a unfiltered picture of the strike,
http://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/165766-lightning-strikes-fan