Jim Foerster, Director of Product Development

As temperatures warm up across the country more and more athletes will be heading back onto the baseball and softball diamonds in the coming weeks, with seasons already well underway across the southern portions of the country. Many of these athletes will unfortunately be in the path of dangerous thunderstorms at some point during their season, and those charged with the safety and security of those athletes need to be aware of this very real danger. Unfortunately, much of what many people think they know as facts about lightning are simply false. For example, athletes might be encouraged to "take cover" in a dugout or hospitality tent, however studies have shown those and other similar structures to be no safer than standing under a tree.

If you are one of those charged with providing a safe environment, take a few minutes to ensure you are aware of the basics of lightning safety. When your community has "Lightning Safety Week" take advantage of this opportunity to review what you'd do when the sky turns dark or you hear distant rumbling of thunder. For certain, you'll team will remember "Don't Hide In The Dugout".