07/24/2025
Subject: Important: Upward Soccer Weather Policy & Game Day Updates
Dear Upward Parents and Coaches,
The season has started, and it's important to clarify our weather policy for both practices and games. Please read this email carefully.
Regarding Practices:
Please DO NOT Cancel Practice too soon. It is perfectly fine to practice in light rain or mist. Use your best judgment: if it's just a light drizzle, feel free to continue. However, if visibility is severely impaired (e.g., you can't see your hand in front of your face) or if there is any lightning, practice must be canceled immediately.
Many storms pass through our area quickly, and our fields tend to drain very well. I remember playing high school baseball where we weren't allowed to go home until it had rained for 30 minutes at the start of practice. Almost every day, it would rain briefly, and 20 minutes after it stopped, the fields were mostly dry.
For Practice Nights: It's the Coaches' call. Coaches, please do not cancel practice too early, and please do not rely on me for updates. I live on the far West Side of Reynoldsburg, and I know someone who lives in Pataskala. I have left my house when it was pouring rain or dumping snow, only to find that the church fields hadn't received a hint of either.
Either myself, Chuck, or my family will try to get to the Church about 45 minutes to an hour before practice or games to provide an update. However, the best approach is for you to use your own judgment by checking the radar.
Regarding Game Days:
I will NOT Cancel games until about 30 minutes before the 1st kick. This is because storms often move through quickly, and the fields drain well.
I currently use the 10tv.com Radar to track rain and storms. On game days, I will check the weather and then use the app, email, and text messages to let everyone know if games are canceled.
On game days, please try to avoid texting me OR calling me for updates, because 30 minutes to an hour before the games start, we will be busy getting the fields ready and won't be available to answer the phone.
If you do NOT receive a text message from me OR your coach, then the games are still happening.
I will also try to use our page to provide updates, though this tends to be the last thing I update: https://www.facebook.com/vccupwardsoccer
Communication Channels (in order of priority for game day updates):
Email (from me)
Text Message (from me)
page (from me - last to be updated)
Team App Email/Message (from coaches)
Again, it is best to go to 10tv.com and use their radar to use your best judgment.
If you need this information passed on to anyone else, please feel free to share it.
Thank you for your participation, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for your understanding.
Welcome to Vineyard Community's Upward Soccer page!
This site will be used to advertise the league, as well as, post important dates and upcoming events.
