League-wide Rainouts - In the event of area-wide inclement weather or poor field conditions, the league can declare a "league-wide rainout," which means all games are canceled and are re-scheduled by the league on one of the rain-out make-up dates at the end of the season.  Notice of a league-wide rainout can be found on the league web sites and hotlines (see below).  This almost never happens.

 

Individual or Club-wide Cancellations - Clubs may also cancel or relocate individual games.  In Arlington, Sports Division staff visits fields early on game days to assess conditions and decide whether the fields are playable.  Arlington field cancellations are announced on 703-228-4715.  Sunday cancellations are also listed on the WAGS (703-241-0099) and NCSL (703-237-7800) hotlines.  Once games have been canceled for the day, the decision is not reversed.  When a game is canceled, the home team coach or manager must notify the opposing team representative at least three hours before game time, even when that game is posted on the hotline. 

 

Referees also have the authority to delay or cancel games if field or weather conditions deteriorate either before the start or during the game.  Immediately upon suspension or termination of a match, players and spectators must leave the field and the surrounding area and return to places of safety, such as enclosed automobiles.  Do not argue with the referees over these decisions; they are responsible for the players’ safety.  Games called because of lightning are often resumed after an appropriate interval.

 

Rescheduling - Games terminated at any point before the final whistle must be replayed in their entirety. WAGS and NCSL administrators reschedule all rained out games and notify the coaches and/or managers of the teams involved.  If a team has a major conflict that will prevent it from fielding 11 players for a potential make-up date/time (e.g. six players have a mandatory school event), notify the league immediately (though it might not help).  Make-up games are scheduled at any time: weeknights, Saturdays, even Sunday double-headers, and the home field can be changed based on field availability.  Once a game is re-scheduled, the League will not change it for anything except—sometimes—high school soccer conflicts.  ATSC does not control WAGS and NCSL rescheduling.

 

In ODSL, teams have input into rescheduling.  For home games, the manager and coach should select several possible game times (Arlington fields are most available on late Saturday afternoons/early evenings). First contact the Executive Director to request possible field options; providing the game number, date/time options, and manager’s phone number.  The manager should then contact the opposing team’s manager to reach agreement on the options.  This should be done within 24 hours of the rainout.  Send this information to the ODSL administrator, at administrator@odsl.org. Copy the ATSC Executive Director, the ODSL Club Rep, and the opponent.  This must be done within 72 hours of the rained-out game, or ODSL will reschedule the game without team input.  For away games, be ready with dates/times when the opposing team’s manager calls.