Our Weather Policy

As a general rule, all games on synthetic turf fields will play regardless of rain but thunder and lightning storms are handled differently. Most of our grass fields have drains so they can take a lot of water before we have to close them. The timeliest updates for weather developments will be by email, but we will also attempt to update social media platforms as well. As always, please make sure your parents know to check their email before leaving for the game.

Lightning Detection and How It Works

The Maryland SoccerPlex is equipped with a lightning detection system. The purpose of this system is to protect patrons using the facility when dangerous storms pass through.

Sensors have been installed on the roof of the Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse, Splash Park and the Mini Golf building. When dangerous conditions exist, the following steps will take place:

• Horns on the roof will sound for 15 seconds
• The 15-second blast indicates ALL patrons must immediately go to their cars
• This 15-second horn will blast when dangerous conditions have been identified, even if you do not see lightning, do not ignore this signal
• When dangerous conditions no longer exist, the horns will blast three (3) shorter blasts.

What to do When the Lightning Alarm Sounds

• Immediately leave the field and go to the nearest shelter.
• DO NOT LEAVE THE COMPLEX
• Wait for the all clear signal (3 blasts of the horn)
• Once the all clear signal sounds, go back to the field and resume the match where you left off

The Maryland SoccerPlex Operations staff continually stays up to date with weather forecasts and radar information. If it appears that the weather will not clear and games cannot resume, the facility will close. Closure information will be posted on the SAM homepage, www.samsoccer.org and the SoccerPlex Weather Hotline, 301-528-1497.

Lightning Delay Policy

The following will apply to SAM Soccer games in the event of a lightning delay.

If the game has reached halftime at the time of the delay:

– If a lightning delay occurs with 15 minutes or less remaining in the game, the game is terminated and the score at the time of termination will be the final score.

– If a delay or a combination of multiple delays reaches 30 minutes of total delay time, the game is terminated.

The score at the time of the termination will be the final score. NO GAME CAN BE PLAYED BEYOND THE SCHEDULED START TIME OF THE FOLLOWING GAME. THE REFEREE WILL STOP THE GAME AT THAT TIME AND THE SCORE AT THAT TIME WILL BE RECORDED AS THE FINAL SCORE. The referee, in collaboration with team management, will determine the length of lightning delays.

If the game has not yet reached halftime at the time of the delay:

– The delay or combination of delays has not reached 30 minutes; the game will continue. Teams must wait until the “all clear” horn (three short blasts) has sounded to resume play. The game will continue to completion assuming no further delays are sounded. NO GAME CAN BE PLAYED BEYOND THE SCHEDULED START TIME OF THE FOLLOWING GAME. THE REFEREE WILL STOP THE GAME AT THAT TIME AND THE SCORE AT THAT TIME WILL BE RECORDED AS THE FINAL SCORE. The referee, in collaboration with team management, will determine the length of lightning delays.

– If a delay or a combination of multiple delays reaches 30 minutes of total delay time, the game is terminated. Any game terminated prior to halftime will be rescheduled to a later date.