Rain Policy
If It’s Raining Before the Game…
Please keep in mind that there are many times when it may be raining in some parts of Frederick and surrounding areas but not at Nymeo Field.
The decision to postpone a game due to inclement weather is typically made as close to the game’s scheduled start time as possible. Team management and grounds crew closely monitor the weather situation all day leading up to the game. Every effort possible will be made to keep the field ready for play. Unless the weather prior to game time is particularly severe or the forecast reveals that inclement weather is inevitable, team officials will plan to play the game as scheduled. Very rarely will games be postponed in the morning or early afternoon.
Please remember that our team and visiting teams play 126 games per season and ALL games must be taken into account when making weather decisions – not just the game that you are attending. Every effort will be made to play each game on the day it was originally scheduled, regardless of the promotions surrounding the game.
There are three different ways you can check the status of a game:
1. Facebook Page
The quickest way to keep up with the status of a game is through social media. The official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GoGhostHounds/ will be updated continuously throughout the day with any and all weather-related updates. As soon as the Spire City Ghost Hounds club know anything, we’ll post it!
2. Twitter Account
Another quick way to access weather-related information is from our Twitter account! Give us a follow at https://twitter.com/GoGhostHounds. We’ll post here just as often as we do on Facebook. Again, once the Spire City Ghost Hounds knows something, we’ll post it!
3. Check out the Team Web Site
If you do not have access to social media, there’s no better place to check than right here! Be sure to check out the homepage at https://goghosthounds.com. Any information regarding delays or postponements will be displayed front and center on the homepage.
We ask for your patience and encourage you to use the three methods described above to check on the status of the game. If none of the above methods announce that the game has been delayed or postponed, you may assume that every attempt will be made to play the game as scheduled. Please consider this before you call to inquire about delays or postponements.
If the Nymeo Field gates open but it starts raining before the game begins, the game may start in a rain delay. In this situation, the Public Address Announcer and video board will keep all fans informed of any weather developments. Additionally, you may continue to monitor the Spire City Ghost Hounds Facebook, Twitter, and website.
If a game does not start and is rained out, hold onto your tickets as they can be exchanged for tickets to a future home game as described in our Rainout Ticket Policy below.
If It Rains During the Game…
If rain begins to fall while a game is in progress, the Atlantic League umpires will notify the grounds crew if it is necessary to cover the field to keep the playing surface suitable for play. At this point, the game will enter a rain delay. At this time, Spire City Ghost Hounds club officials and Atlantic League umpires will pay close attention to the weather situation for the remainder of the day/evening. After a reasonable amount of time, the Atlantic League umpires will decide if the weather has improved and is suitable for play or if the game should be declared a rainout.
If the teams have played five innings or more (or if the Spire City Ghost Hounds are leading after 4 ½ innings of play) and a rainout is declared, the game is considered an official game. In other words, the game is finished, the game has a final score, and play will not continue at a later date. Conversely, if a game is rained out before the teams have played five innings or more (or 4 ½ innings of play if the Spire City Ghost Hounds club are winning), the game is suspended. Hold onto your tickets, as they can be exchanged for tickets to a future home game as described below.
Rainout Ticket Policy
If a game is called due to rain or any other factor prior to the completion of an official game (5 innings or 4 ½ innings if the Spire City Ghost Hounds are winning as described above), fans may exchange their tickets for any Spire City Ghost Hounds or Frederick Keys home game played during the current season.
If a game is called due to inclement weather or other circumstances after the completion of an official game (5 innings or 4 ½ innings if the Spire City Ghost Hounds are winning as described above), a game is considered “official.” In this case, there will be no ticket exchanges.
Group Event Rainout Policy
In the unfortunate occurrence of inclement weather your Account Manager will be in touch during the course of the day to review the status of the game and your event. We always attempt to play the game and on occasion might have a delayed start to the game or a rain delay(s) during the course of the game.
If the stadium gates are opened, then the catering for your event will be sufficed for the designated time period agreed upon in your contract.
If your catering is sufficed as stated above, but because of inclement weather either the game does not start or does not become official (5 innings if the Ghost Hounds are trailing, and 4.5 innings if the Ghost Hounds are leading), then your game tickets may be exchanged for a comparable field, reserved, or general admission seat to any remaining 2023 regular season home game, based upon availability. This exchange includes the ticket only as the catering has already been sufficed. These tickets must be exchanged at the Box Office and may be done so any time after the game is postponed.
If the game is completely postponed and the stadium gates have not been opened, then your Account Manager will be in touch to reschedule your event in its’ entirety to include the catering and the game.
Rainout Policy Terminology
Rain Delay
A rain delay is when the game is officially delayed after the scheduled start time. Play will continue later that day at the discretion of team officials and/or the umpires. Tickets cannot be exchanged in the event of a rain delay.
Rainout/Postponement
A game that is rained out or postponed will not be played or finished on its originally scheduled date due to inclement weather. When this happens, the game is usually rescheduled as part of a doubleheader the next time the two teams meet.
Suspended Game
A game that is suspended due to inclement weather shall be resumed from where it was halted at the next available date the teams are able to play. A suspended game MUST be completed in full before the two teams play any other games against each other. Suspended games are scheduled to be finished the next date the teams play – prior to the originally scheduled game on that date. A game may be suspended if it is (a) tied or (b) the home team trails in the top of the inning in which the game is currently in. If a game is suspended after 5 innings of play, the game is considered official and tickets may not be exchanged.
Canceled Game
In the unlikely event that a game cannot be played due to weather and there are no possible dates for the game to be rescheduled, the game will be canceled.
In the event of a rainout/postponement, suspended game (that is NOT official) or canceled game, your ticket will be good for any regular season home game within the 2023 season and may be exchanged at the Nymeo Field box office for a ticket of equal or lesser value, subject to availability.