Weather Delay?

[sczeebra]

1st and goal from the 7 yard-line 30 seconds left in the first half. A gains 4 yards and a player gets hurt where we have an extended timeout. I say this because I just couldn't see calling a weather delay with less than 30 seconds left to go. Anyway we have a 30 minute delay. Now the players come back warm up then finish the period. Now we have to give them the extra 1+3 minutes for half time and another warm up?

[NVFOA_Ump]

I would say no.  Just declare that the 30 secs will be completed after the "halftime break" and include the 3 minute warmup when play resumes.  When teams take the field after delay, 3 minute warmup, 30 sec completion of 2nd qtr, then move right to 2nd half kickoff.

[TNofficial]

In TN, we've been told to finish the half after the delay. We are then to give them the 1 minute and then the 3 minute warmup required by the rule. It seems silly but you're less likely to be sued if you follow the rules in the book and something bad happens. Also, if you're not going to give the half-time for 30 seconds, what about 45 seconds or a minute?

[NVFOA_Ump]

In TN, we've been told to finish the half after the delay. We are then to give them the 1 minute and then the 3 minute warmup required by the rule. It seems silly but you're less likely to be sued if you follow the rules in the book and something bad happens. Also, if you're not going to give the half-time for 30 seconds, what about 45 seconds or a minute?

So what are they going to sue for? Really???

[TNofficial]

So what are they going to sue for? Really???

Who knows what they could sue for? Assuming it is some type of personal injury suit where a player got injured, plaintiffs try to drag in everyone they can whether it makes sense or not. Even if there is eventually no liability, you will still have to get an attorney and spend the time dealing with the suit. Following the rules means that there is a good chance you get it dismissed on summary judgement. Not following the rules means you are more likely to have to sit through a trial where a jury decides if you are in some way responsible because you didn't follow the rules.

For myself, I'm also going to do it because that is what I've been told to do by the state and they get final say in playoff assignments. I'd rather not be on anyone's radar if a coach complains after a loss.

[CalhounLJ]

So what are they going to sue for? Really???

I used to be of this mindset, but a tragedy on the field changed my mind. One year during a JV game, our state had mandated 4 timed quarters instead of two halves. However, before the game, the coaches got together and made a "gentlemen's agreement" to play 2 20 minute halves with a running clock and go to the house. Well, against my better judgement I went along with it. After all, what could possibly go wrong, right? Well, long story short, about 2 minutes into the game, a kid got up from a tackle, wobbled back to the huddle. The coach sent him off the field, and tragically, he dropped dead before he got to the sideline. Now, nothing about the clock status or the agreement had anything whatsoever to do with that tragedy, but I couldn't help thinking that I had opened the door to a lawsuit by allowing that to happen. In the litigious society we live in, all an ambulance chaser needs is a crack to wiggle in and try to get money from accidents like this. I vowed never to modify or ignore these types of rules and regulations again.
Just another perspective...

[MAFBRef]

Timing being everything, the circumstances are entirely different if the incident happened with 2 minutes left in the game. Now you are wide open for the “but for” lawsuit by not using regulation time periods. Chances are, it will never happen, but, to semi-quote Dirty Harry, “Do you feel lucky,…?”