Our Weather & Rainout Policy — Simple, fair, and written by someone who has been in your shoes.
We know what it means to drive four hours with your team, check into a hotel, and wake up to rain. We will always fight to get your games in. When we can't — we will make it right.
— Chrispien, Founder · Cooperstown's Sandlot CityWe monitor weather 24 hours a day during every event. We will drag fields, push schedules, play late, and do whatever it takes to get your games in. When Mother Nature wins — and sometimes she does — you will always know exactly what to expect.
Every team registers knowing exactly how many games they are guaranteed. We stand behind these numbers.
Guarantee is weather permitting. If games cannot be completed due to weather, credits are issued based on the schedule below. No fine print. No runaround.
All weather decisions are made by Sandlot City management — period. Not coaches. Not parents. Not umpires. This protects everyone and ensures every team is treated exactly the same. Our director has 13 years of tournament management experience across five states and will always put player safety and fairness first.
The moment lightning is detected within 8 miles, play stops immediately and everyone moves to vehicles or covered structures. Minimum 30-minute delay after the last strike before returning to the field. This policy is non-negotiable. No coach, parent, or umpire can override it.
The moment a weather decision is made, your head coach hears about it directly. Coaches relay to their families. This is how every well-run tournament operates — one clear line of communication, no confusion.
Do not have families travel to the site until your coach has confirmed the event is proceeding. Sandlot City is not responsible for travel costs related to weather cancellations.
We do not give up on games easily. Here is exactly what happens when weather hits during an event:
Sandlot City does not issue cash refunds for weather-related cancellations. Instead, a credit is issued for the unused portion of your entry fee — applied to any future Sandlot City event, good through the end of the following season.
15% of your entry fee is retained by Sandlot City to cover operational costs we incur regardless of weather — field prep, umpire fees, staff, equipment, and site costs. The remaining 85% is available as credit, scaled by games completed.
| Games Completed | Guarantee | Credit Issued |
|---|---|---|
| 0 games played | 3-game | 85% |
| 1 game completed | 3-game | 57% |
| 2 games completed | 3-game | 28% |
| 3+ games completed | 3-game | No credit |
| 0 games played | 4-game | 85% |
| 1 game completed | 4-game | 64% |
| 2 games completed | 4-game | 43% |
| 3 games completed | 4-game | 21% |
| 4+ games completed | 4-game | No credit |
| Games Completed | Guarantee | Credit Issued |
|---|---|---|
| 0 games played | 4-game | 85% |
| 1 game completed | 4-game | 64% |
| 2 games completed | 4-game | 43% |
| 3 games completed | 4-game | 21% |
| 4+ games completed | 4-game | No credit |
| 0 games played | 5-game | 85% |
| 1 game completed | 5-game | 68% |
| 2 games completed | 5-game | 51% |
| 3 games completed | 5-game | 34% |
| 4 games completed | 5-game | 17% |
| 5+ games completed | 5-game | No credit |
Credits are issued automatically — no application needed. You receive confirmation by email within 5 business days. Credits apply to any Sandlot City event, any sport, any age division. To apply a credit: email info@sandlotcity.com or call/text (607) 405-7333.
Pool play seeding determines everything if weather forces an early end. Play every pool play game like it matters — because it does.
If not every team has completed their first bracket game — pool play seeding determines final standings and awards are given. If every team has completed at least one bracket game — the highest remaining seeds determine final standings and receive awards.
Teams that do not appear for a scheduled game — citing weather concerns — without an official cancellation from Sandlot City will be recorded as a forfeit. No credit is issued for no-shows.
Always wait for official communication from Sandlot City before deciding not to travel or not to play. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates.
Have a question about our policy before you register? Reach out directly.
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