Heavy rainfall is putting a big damper on outdoor athletics throughout the Rochester area as soggy grounds keep young athletes of the fields. 

The muddy grounds at schools and parks have forced coaches and athletic directors to scramble to reschedule games and practices.

 

 

 

Section V must implement rules from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. However, due to the rain, officials have made several adjustments including waiving the 7-day rule which means athletes can play all seven days of the week, and approving five inning double headers for softball, rather than seven. 

Teams are also rescheduling games and trying to get them all in before the end of the regular season next week.  The problem is, if teams play on these muddy fields, it could end up becoming more trouble than it’s worth.

"You can have some really long-term damage, not maybe as much as a softball field or a baseball field but I know when you’re talking about playing lacrosse on a grass field or something like that, that will really rip the grass up. I’ve been told sometimes it can take up to a year for it to fully recover," said East Irondequoit High School Communications Director Dave Yates.

The decision to cancel games isn’t only based on the condition of the fields.  It also has to do with safety and preventing players from getting hurt.