Heat Policy

[SteveB]

Heat Policy

Given the weather conditions on the weekend do any of you guys think that;

1. The BCA should have called the games off?

or

2. In any particular games should the umpires have called off play due to the conditions?

Your thoughts appreciated.

Steve.

 

[Dean Waugh]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

Given the weather conditions on the weekend do any of you guys think that;

1. The BCA should have called the games off?

or

2. In any particular games should the umpires have called off play due to the conditions?

Your thoughts appreciated.

Steve.

As hot as it got saturday, i think most blokes got thru the day ok. Yes, a few would be fatigued and totally spent but that's sport.

It's a summer game and i can't see why you'd call it off. Maybe clubs be a bit more smart and organise a sub through out the day, especially if you have juniors playing morning then day.

IMO

 

[napisan]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

Given the weather conditions on the weekend do any of you guys think that;

1. The BCA should have called the games off?

or

2. In any particular games should the umpires have called off play due to the conditions?

Your thoughts appreciated.

Steve.

I really think the BCA need a rule that states that at any stage if the BCA deems it too dangerous to play they can call it off before the days play. It shouldn't be put on the umpire to make the call.

I think all clubs need to vote to change the rules before next season so that nobody gets seriously hurt. It was far too hot to play on Saturday and we shouldn't have to play in conditions like that ever again.

 

[STICK]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

Given the weather conditions on the weekend do any of you guys think that;

1. The BCA should have called the games off?

or

2. In any particular games should the umpires have called off play due to the conditions?

Your thoughts appreciated.

Steve.

I dont think there is much doubt that Saturday was not not sport, it was survival (for most) - especially for Juniors that played in the morning.

To not have a heat policy is gross negligence and there needs to be a heat policy written enforced by the BCA. To be playing in 44 degrees is beyond stupidity.

Rain and and the subsequent ground conditions are the jurisdiction of the umpires as conditions can vary between venues, but heat is a uniform problem and it should be the role of the BCA to intervene.

I still struggle to comprehend how we can call cricket off due to rain where the exposures are broken ankles, sprains etc and yet heat can possibly kill after 5 hours for those who are vulnerable to it - and we dont have a rule for it. WTF ????

Its time to get out of the Neanderthal ages and manage this issue responsibly. Its easy to be a chest beater and say to play on (and 20 years ago i thought the same) but things have changes and our game is called "sport" for a reason. We are a laughing stock.

 

[napisan]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

I dont think there is much doubt that Saturday was not not sport, it was survival (for most) - especially for Juniors that played in the morning.

To not have a heat policy is gross negligence and there needs to be a heat policy written enforced by the BCA. To be playing in 44 degrees is beyond stupidity.

Rain and and the subsequent ground conditions are the jurisdiction of the umpires as conditions can vary between venues, but heat is a uniform problem and it should be the role of the BCA to intervene.

I still struggle to comprehend how we can call cricket off due to rain where the exposures are broken ankles, sprains etc and yet heat can possibly kill after 5 hours for those who are vulnerable to it - and we dont have a rule for it. WTF ????

Its time to get out of the Neanderthal ages and manage this issue responsibly. Its easy to be a chest beater and say to play on (and 20 years ago i thought the same) but things have changes and our game is called "sport" for a reason. We are a laughing stock.

Totally Agree.

Dean Waugh you say cricket is a summer sport but you need to remember it was created by the Poms who never play in temperatures above 30. Cricket was not created to be played in temps above 40 and I'm not sure any sports are for the that matter.

Ask any medical professional and they will tell you the dangers of playing in that heat.

If footy is a winter sport and the oval is covered in 2 metres of snow and its minus 10 does that mean we still play because its a winter sport?

 

[SteveB]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

Totally Agree.

Dean Waugh you say cricket is a summer sport but you need to remember it was created by the Poms who never play in temperatures above 30. Cricket was not created to be played in temps above 40 and I'm not sure any sports are for the that matter.

Ask any medical professional and they will tell you the dangers of playing in that heat.

If footy is a winter sport and the oval is covered in 2 metres of snow and its minus 10 does that mean we still play because its a winter sport?

The reason I have asked is that there were many umpires who were concerned that the decision to play was left in there control. How do you assess what is Ok or dangerous?

Whilst it is easy to make a call based on wet weather that we see regularly, it is much more problematic to make a call on extreme heat, and particularly how individuals will cope. Heat stress can occur quickly or it can be delayed and the effects not felt until after the activity has ceased.

I have particular concern young players, those who are a little rotund, and especially for the older umpires like Des Lloyd and Ron Gay, I found it hard enough, I have no idea how these guys got through.

The one thing to remember though, is that unless many clubs ask for a rule regarding extreme heat to be included and then susbsequently agree to it's adoption - NOTHING will happen to change the situation.

If you subscribe to the GWT then you would have to think this type of weather will become more prevelant, if so sucha policy would be mandatory.

What other sports were cancelled around Ballarat and Victoria?

Steve.

 

[RazzaTheRooster]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

The BCA needs a two-tiered heat policy in my opinion; Tier 1 is that once the forecasted temperature exceeds xx degrees (say 32 for example) then the double drinks breaks per session come into effect. Tier 2 is then that once the forecasted temperature exceeds yy degrees (say 38 for example), the round is called off.

In the top couple of grades I would suggest that it is more for the umpires' wellbeing than the players'. Most 1s and 2s players have a reasonable level of fitness to withstand those temperatures but a lot of umpires are over 40 and out of shape and are the greatest risk. They are out there for 5 hours and don't have the luxury of a sub or having a drink run out at call. However obviously as you go down the grades there are no umpires but a lot of older guys playing so the same applies.

The BCA has a duty of care to provide a safe environment for players and umpires alike, and I would hate to think that it is going to take a collapse or death for action to occur. One only has to remember Pat Collier's tragic death on a 42 degree Australia Day at East High.

 

[STICK]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

The reason I have asked is that there were many umpires who were concerned that the decision to play was left in there control. How do you assess what is Ok or dangerous?

Whilst it is easy to make a call based on wet weather that we see regularly, it is much more problematic to make a call on extreme heat, and particularly how individuals will cope. Heat stress can occur quickly or it can be delayed and the effects not felt until after the activity has ceased.

I have particular concern young players, those who are a little rotund, and especially for the older umpires like Des Lloyd and Ron Gay, I found it hard enough, I have no idea how these guys got through.

The one thing to remember though, is that unless many clubs ask for a rule regarding extreme heat to be included and then susbsequently agree to it's adoption - NOTHING will happen to change the situation.

If you subscribe to the GWT then you would have to think this type of weather will become more prevelant, if so sucha policy would be mandatory.

What other sports were cancelled around Ballarat and Victoria?

Steve.

The other factor to take into account from Saturday is that a "cool change" came through mid afternoon - so we werent even out there for a full session in the heat. God only knows what would have happened with another 2 hours exposure to 44 degrees. I personally dont think anything will happen until someone is dead and the BCA are sued to the shizenhausen .....and it will happen.

 

[cobber14]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

The reason I have asked is that there were many umpires who were concerned that the decision to play was left in there control. How do you assess what is Ok or dangerous?

Whilst it is easy to make a call based on wet weather that we see regularly, it is much more problematic to make a call on extreme heat, and particularly how individuals will cope. Heat stress can occur quickly or it can be delayed and the effects not felt until after the activity has ceased.

I have particular concern young players, those who are a little rotund, and especially for the older umpires like Des Lloyd and Ron Gay, I found it hard enough, I have no idea how these guys got through.

The one thing to remember though, is that unless many clubs ask for a rule regarding extreme heat to be included and then susbsequently agree to it's adoption - NOTHING will happen to change the situation.

If you subscribe to the GWT then you would have to think this type of weather will become more prevelant, if so sucha policy would be mandatory.

What other sports were cancelled around Ballarat and Victoria?

Steve.

why is it up to the clubs to change the rule?

are ron & don not capable of figuring out that saturday was a health risk to everyone that was out in it? summer sport yes, & things such as 38 degrees, bad luck, push on. but 44 degrees is just plain dumb.

we even had the situation of chris walter having to leave early due to his wife's parents being evacuated at horsham with the fires coming within 150 metres of their house.

just plain stupid in my opinion playing on saturday.

 

[SteveB]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

The other factor to take into account from Saturday is that a "cool change" came through mid afternoon - so we werent even out there for a full session in the heat. God only knows what would have happened with another 2 hours exposure to 44 degrees. I personally dont think anything will happen until someone is dead and the BCA are sued to the shizenhausen .....and it will happen.

Let's hope that never happens, but if it does and there is an umpire in charge he will be the first to be sued - for breaching his duty of care and not showing due dilligence etc. etc...

 

[SteveB]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

why is it up to the clubs to change the rule?

are ron & don not capable of figuring out that saturday was a health risk to everyone that was out in it? summer sport yes, & things such as 38 degrees, bad luck, push on. but 44 degrees is just plain dumb.

we even had the situation of chris walter having to leave early due to his wife's parents being evacuated at horsham with the fires coming within 150 metres of their house.

just plain stupid in my opinion playing on saturday.

The games went on didn't they? What makes you think that things will change if the clubs don't ask for it to change? Read the Courier from Saturday morning again. It is abundantly clear from the article and the email sent out to clubs and umpires by the BCA that it was OK for play to continue in those conditions! If people are unsatisfied with the fact that play went ahead on Saturday then it is up to them to ask for action, unless change is asked for change will not come.

 

[Dean Waugh]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

Like i said before, it's just my opinion.

I can understand everyones views on the matter, were there any major injuries or effects from the weekends weather in BCA games?

 

[KokodaMidget]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

I play up in Albury, & were halfway through a 2 day game & the association called our games off on Friday afternoon. We played the first Saturday in 44 degree heat, but not last Saturday, when it got close to 47 in some places. Most clubs/players wanted to play for varying reasons, however, the association was caught between a rock & a hard place, as they received notification from both Wodonga & Albury councils not to have sport played after 12pm, from the insurers, & apparantly the umpires were going to call play off anyway. Mass confusion & frustration really, heightens the need for all comps to have an extreme weather policy in place.

By the way, is Coronet City still in existence...? They were a good club when they were Wendouree City....

 

[RazzaTheRooster]

Re: Ballarat Cricket Association

we even had the situation of chris walter having to leave early due to his wife's parents being evacuated at horsham with the fires coming within 150 metres of their house.

Interesting that you mention that; Wendouree Leachy and I were on call in case our Shire was affected by bushfires and we would have had to leave also. I'm sure a number of the country teams' players in the district comp are CFA volunteers also.