Heat, Lightning & Cold

When we play, when we ease up, and when we stop. One standard for every practice, game, clinic and tryout, rec and travel.

Heat

Toluca Baseball is CIF Region 2
01 · Heat · What it is

Heat stress in one number

WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature) rolls air temperature, humidity, direct sun and wind into one reading. It reflects the heat stress players actually feel far better than the thermometer or the heat index.

Heads up

WBGT runs well below air temperature. A 100°F full-sun afternoon here usually reads about 79–87°F WBGT, and the mid-80s is already serious heat.

02 · How it's measured

Three sensors, one formula

Natural wet bulb Humidity & sweat cooling 70%
Black globe Direct sun & wind 20%
Dry bulb Air temperature, in shade 10%
WBGT = 0.7 × wet bulb + 0.2 × globe + 0.1 × dry bulb

When and where: read on site, in the sun where players are, 15 minutes before start and again every hour, with a handheld WBGT meter. No meter on site? Use the National Weather Service WBGT forecast, which CIF points to.

03 · When guidelines kick in · Toluca Baseball is CIF Region 2

What changes at each WBGT level

WBGT reading
Level
What changes
Below 79.8°F
Normal activity
Practice and play as scheduled.
79.8 – 84.6°F
Use discretion
Ease up on intense work. Water breaks at least every 30 minutes.
84.7 – 87.7°F
2-hour limit
Practices capped at 2 hours with more frequent breaks. Games: water break every half inning.
87.8 – 89.7°F
1-hour limit
Practices capped at 1 hour. Games: water break every half inning, shade between innings.
89.8°F and up
No outdoor activity
Cancel or postpone practices and games.
04 · Know the signs

Heat exhaustion: stop, shade, water

Dizziness, cramps, nausea, headache, heavy sweating. The player sits out, rests in shade and drinks water.

Heat stroke: call 911

Confusion, fainting, or hot, dry skin. Call 911 and start cooling right away with ice, water and shade.

CIF rules formally cover high schools, but they're the regional standard, and many youth leagues adopt them as their own heat policy. Source: CIF heat illness guidelines. The CIF Southern Section policy lists the Region 2 stop as above 89.9°F; this guide stops at 89.8°F to close small gaps between levels.

Lightning · Cold · Who decides

05 · Lightning

8 miles. 30 minutes. Clock resets.

8 mi

A strike within 8 miles clears the field. If you hear thunder, treat it as within 8 miles.

30 min

Everyone stays off the field for 30 minutes after the last strike inside 8 miles.

Reset

Any new strike inside 8 miles during the wait restarts the 30-minute clock.

  • How to check: a lightning tracker app (such as WeatherBug or My Lightning Tracker) shows strike distance.
  • Where to go: cars or a closed building. Dugouts, bleachers, trees and open shelters are not safe.
  • Resuming: only after a full 30 minutes with no strike inside 8 miles. A game that can't resume follows normal suspended-game rules.
06 · Cold & wet

Cold weather

Use the temperature or the wind chill, whichever is lower.

40°F and up
Play as scheduled. Layers on; pitchers keep the throwing arm covered between innings.
32 – 39°F
Coach's discretion. Shorter practices, more movement, longer warm-up before throwing.
Below 32°F
No outdoor activity.
07 · Who makes the call

Who decides & how word gets out

Heat & cold: the Executive Committee makes adjustments and cancellations, and they flow down the chain.

Executive Committee › Commissioners › Coaches › Parents

The board may also send a league-wide email to reach everyone directly.

Lightning: anyone can stop play

Any board member, commissioner, coach or umpire may postpone a game or practice when the lightning criteria are met, and will have the full backing of the board.

Sources: CIF heat illness guidelines; CIF Southern Section heat policy