Baseball is a popular outdoor sport that many people love to watch and play. With the thrill of tensions running high between the bases and the satisfaction of the ball-and-bat contact, baseball offers lots to love. Whether you enjoy the sport on the field or in the stands, nothing is more disappointing than gray clouds and rain canceling a game. However, clearing the diamond and stopping the show is imperative to baseball safety for both players and fans.

Thunderstorms present lots of dangers, from severe environmental conditions like muddy terrain, floods, and high winds to lightning strike hazards and subsequential possible physical injuries. No matter how you enjoy baseball, check out these baseball safety tips and be prepared for thunderstorms.

Monitor Weather Forecasts

The first step to ensuring safety during thunderstorms is monitoring the weather forecasts. Encountering an unexpected storm leaves you vulnerable. The more awareness and foresight you have, the more opportunities you have to prepare your defenses.

Monitoring the forecasts helps you understand your local area’s weather patterns and provides useful insight before heading out for practice or a game. Weather apps can provide real-time updates and alert you when a storm is on the horizon, giving you ample time to take necessary precautions.

Understand the 30/30 Rule

The National Weather Service’s 30/30 rule states that if the time between the sight of lightning and sound of thunder is less than 30 seconds, you should find shelter. Then, you should not resume play until 30 minutes after the last thunder roar. Complying with this rule can significantly reduce the risk of lightning-related incidents.

Lightning is one of the most hazardous weather dangers. Lightning strikes can electrocute you, cause severe burns, and induce cardiac arrest. The 30/30 rule makes sure you stay out of lightning’s reach.

Find Safety Shelter Locations

In the event of a thunderstorm, shelter is your bet for staying safe from nature’s wrath. Ideal safety shelters are substantial buildings or hard-topped vehicles with windows rolled up—any place that isolates you from the storm. Conversely, dugouts, picnic shelters, and open garages are not safe shelters.

Identifying safety shelters before heading outdoors guarantees a more streamlined evacuation; at the first sign of danger, you’ll immediately know where to go. The faster you can get to the shelter, the less exposed to danger you become.

Carry a Compact Lightning Detector

Investing in a reliable, compact lightning detector enhances baseball safety by providing an additional layer of protection against unpredictable weather conditions. These small, portable devices detect the presence of lightning activity in the vicinity by sensing the electromagnetic pulses a thunderstorm emits. These devices can alert players, coaches, and spectators of lightning danger and impending storms even before they’re visible, allowing for timely evacuation or game suspension.

Portable lightning detectors are easy to carry and use in all baseball settings, from small community leagues to larger professional games. TALOS compact lightning detectors are a valuable tool in every baseball team’s safety kit, ensuring games adhere to the highest regard for safety and situational awareness.

Thunderstorms don’t have to put a damper on the great game of baseball. Practice maximized baseball safety with these tips to be prepared for thunderstorms. Play ball, and stay safe with TALOS lightning detectors!