Field Closure / Game Cancellation Policy

ESSPA Field Closure and Game Cancelation Policy 2024

Edmonton Senior Slo-pitch Association (ESSPA) and its membership are required to adhere to any regulations and closures (field closures and health recommendations) as set out by the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta as per our Home Base Agreement.  

FIELD CLOSURE

All ESSPA fields will be closed and no games or practices will occur if the City has closed the fields.  Please check the City of Edmonton Field Closure line 780-496-4999 or the website

https://coewebapps.edmonton.ca/facilitynotifications/default.aspx?args=4,131.   You can subscribe to notifications for City field closures by clicking the link on that page.

We are considered a Natural Grass Unstaffed Field.  Please pay special attention to specific comments around shale infields. Last updates are at 2 pm weekdays.

In the event that City fields are open as of 2 pm and there has been significant rain after that time, ESSPA’s Maintenance or Facilities Director will check with maintenance staff and will make a call as to whether the diamonds are playable by 4:00 p.m.  Every effort will be made to contact Division Co-ordinators and team leaders to let players know field status prior to game time.

If teams arrive at the diamonds and find standing water or conditions that would make it unsafe to play or if playing or practicing could cause damage to the field- use should be cancelled.  Divisions will determine whether games will be re-scheduled depending on diamond availability.

GAME STOPPAGES AND CANCELATION

In the event of a thunderstorm, umpired divisions will suspend or call the game at the umpire’s discretion.  In divisions where there are no umpires, team leaders should agree to suspend the game or cancel the game and have all players seek shelter.  Consensus for most sport and work place governing bodies suggest 30 seconds between lightning and thunder is cause for suspension of play and that no play should continue until 30 minutes after last thunder.

Games and practices will be cancelled if the Air Quality is rated 7 or higher.  If the Air Quality changes during the course of the game and players start to exhibit difficulty breathing, itchy or watery eyes, etc. the game should be suspended or cancelled.  Divisions will determine if there will be make up games depending on diamond availability. Check the following website for up to date information.   https://airquality.alberta.ca/map/   

https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/abaq-001_e.html

Games and practices will be cancelled if AHS has issued a heat advisory recommending suspension of outdoor sporting activities.  Typically this is when the temperature is in excess of 36C and feels like 40C+ with high humidity. 

You can sign up for alerts at

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weather-general-tools-resources/weathercan.html. or 

https://www.alberta.ca/about-emergency-alerts.aspx.

ESSPA will try to contact team leaders in a timely fashion should any of these advisories be issued but team leaders should use their discretion should situations arise during games or practices.

ESSPA takes the health and safety of its members seriously as well as the protection of the league’s assets.  This policy has been put in to place to ensure the well being of members and the league.

Enjoy the season and play safe!