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Weather Policy Information

Inclement Weather Policy for WooSox Home Games

Updated March 30, 2023

This policy applies to regular season WooSox home games at Polar Park and is subject to modification at any time. Updated versions of this policy will be posted at www.WooSox.com/Weather.

Notices & Updates

Any announcements about inclement weather affecting a game at Polar Park will be posted on the following official WooSox channels:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/WooSox

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoWooSox

Instagram: www.instagram.com/gowoosox

Website: www.woosox.com

In the event of inclement weather, fans should check the above sources for updates. These are the only official WooSox sources. Fans are discouraged from relying on other sources, such as fan accounts and news outlets, which do not post official WooSox updates.

The WooSox will also attempt to update fans via email, where possible.

If the Weather is Questionable, What Do I Do?

IF INCLEMENT WEATHER BEGINS BEFORE THE GAME…

Keep an eye out for an official notice from the WooSox before you leave for the ballpark. Notices will be posted as provided below. The WooSox usually only post in the case of a delay or Rainout; if the game is still on as scheduled, no notice will be posted.

Please note that the decision to postpone a game due to weather is typically made around the game’s scheduled start time, although the start of a game can sometimes be delayed if current weather and/or field conditions do not offer a present opportunity to play, but there is a potential opportunity to commence play in the near future. WooSox officials pay close attention to the weather leading up to game time, in cooperation with coaches, umpires, and Major League Baseball, and make every effort to keep the field ready for play. Unless the weather prior to game time is particularly severe or the forecast reveals that inclement weather is inevitable, WooSox officials will plan to play the game as scheduled.

Finally, it is helpful to keep in mind that there are many instances when it may be raining in some parts of Worcester/Central Massachusetts, but it may not be raining at the ballpark, or vice versa. Weather can shift very suddenly in the Worcester area, and decisions about whether to start or delay a game are made based on analysis of both current and projected weather conditions.

IF INCLEMENT WEATHER BEGINS DURING THE GAME…

If inclement weather begins while a game is in progress, the grounds crew will cover the field if it is necessary to keep the playing surface suitable for play. The game will then enter a Weather Delay. During this time, WooSox officials, coaches, and umpires will pay close attention to the weather and the forecast for the remainder of the game. After a reasonable amount of time, as required by the league, the umpires have the ultimate authority to decide if the weather has improved and is suitable for play or if the game should be declared a Rainout.

If the teams have played five innings or more (or if the WooSox are leading after four and a half innings of play) and a Rainout is declared, the game is considered an official game by Major League Baseball. In other words, the game is finished, the game has a final score, and play will not continue at a later date. On the other hand, in the event a Rainout occurs before the declaration of an official game, you should hold onto your tickets and reference the WooSox Inclement Weather Ticket Policy (below).

IF INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS A FIREWORKS SHOW…

In the event that post-game fireworks are cancelled following an official game (as defined by Major League Baseball), your ticket may be used for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the current season and may be exchanged at the WooSox ticket office, or by calling (508) 500-8888, for a WooSox Loop-SRO ticket, subject to availability.

Suite & Hospitality tickets may only be exchanged for WooSox Loop-SRO tickets, though along with the ticket, each guest will receive a DCU Club pass at the time of redemption, to enjoy the climate-controlled area at the game

Inclement Weather Ticket Policy

WEATHER DELAY

A “Weather Delay” occurs when the game is officially delayed after the scheduled start time and then resumes the same day.

**There will be no ticket exchanges for a Weather Delay. **

RAINOUT

A “Rainout” occurs when a game is postponed, suspended, or rescheduled due to rain or other inclement weather, such as (but not limited to) strong winds, tornado, or snow.

In the event of a Rainout, your regular ticket may be used for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the current season and may be exchanged at the WooSox ticket office, on www.WooSox.com, or by calling (508) 500-8888, for a ticket of equal or lesser value, subject to availability and excluding special events. Suite, Hospitality, and “Picnic at the Park” tickets may only be exchanged for Standing Room Only (“SRO”) tickets.

If a game is declared a Rainout due to inclement weather or other circumstances after five innings have been played (or if the WooSox are leading after four and a half innings of play), a game is considered “official.” In this case, there will be no ticket exchanges.

In the event that a doubleheader is postponed, the doubleheader shall be considered an official game if the first game of the doubleheader has completed five or more innings (or if the WooSox are leading after four and a half innings of play). No ticket exchanges will be issued for either game, and both games will be considered complete.

If you have tickets to a WooSox game that is declared a Rainout, please refer to the following policies and procedures for each ticket type. Please note that all ticket exchanges remain subject to availability.

Individual Game Tickets

Fans may exchange their tickets from a Rainout for any ticket of equal or lesser value for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy.

Tickets can be exchanged in person at the ticket office, by calling 508-500-8888, or online at Woosox.com. Please see the bottom of the page for the online ticket exchange policy.

WooSox ticket office hours are as follows (but subject to change):

Game days

· 9 AM – Conclusion of game

Non-game days

Monday-Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM

Sunday: Closed

Season Tickets

Holders of full season tickets may electronically exchange their tickets to a Rainout for any ticket of equal or lesser value for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. Please see the bottom of this page for our electronic ticket exchange policy.

Half-Season Tickets & Mini Plans

Half-season ticket and mini plan holders may electronically exchange their tickets from a Rainout for any ticket of equal or lesser value for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. Please see the bottom of this page for our electronic ticket exchange policy.

Suites

The party will still take place in the suite during the planned time, regardless of whether the corresponding game is a Rainout. Food will be served as usual. The suite will open when gates are scheduled to open and the event will last for 2 hours.

Each guest may exchange their game tickets to a Rainout for WooSox Loop-SRO tickets for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. These tickets must be exchanged in-person at the WooSox ticket office. Along with the ticket, each guest will receive a DCU Club pass at the time of redemption, to enjoy the climate-controlled area at the game.

Tickets will be exchanged subject to availability. The WooSox are unable to guarantee that exchanged tickets will be seated together.

Hospitality Terraces & Decks

The party will still take place during the planned time, regardless of whether the corresponding game is a Rainout*. Food will be served as usual. The party space will open when gates are scheduled to open and the event will last for 2 hours.

Should a Rainout occur, the party may be moved to another location at the discretion of the WooSox.

Each guest may exchange their game tickets to a Rainout for WooSox Loop-SRO tickets for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. These tickets must be exchanged in-person at the WooSox ticket office. Along with the ticket, each guest will receive a DCU Club pass at the time of redemption, to enjoy the climate-controlled area at the game.

Tickets will be exchanged subject to availability. The WooSox are unable to guarantee that exchanged tickets will be seated together.

*In the extremely rare case in which a game is declared a Rainout well in advance of the scheduled game time, such as in the case of an expected hurricane, the WooSox will work with the group to move the party to a later date.

Group Outings

Each ticket holder may exchange their tickets from a Rainout for any ticket of equal or lesser value for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. If the tickets were distributed digitally, holders can make the exchange electronically; please see the bottom of this page for our electronic ticket exchange policy. If the tickets were printed and distributed, holders must exchange their tickets in-person at the WooSox ticket office.

Tickets will be exchanged subject to availability. The WooSox are unable to guarantee that exchanged tickets will be seated together.

“Picnic at the Park” Days

The party will still take place during the planned time. Food will be served as usual. The party space will open when gates are scheduled to open and the event will last for 2 hours. The event may be moved to a covered location at the ballpark.

Each ticket holder may exchange their tickets from a Rainout for any Standing Room Only (“SRO”) ticket for any remaining regular season WooSox home game during the same season, per standard WooSox policy. These tickets must be exchanged in-person at the WooSox ticket office.

Tickets will be exchanged subject to availability. The WooSox are unable to guarantee that exchanged tickets will be seated together.

Electronic Exchange Program

  1. Log in to MyTickets page found here.

  2. Choose “Exchange” on the left side of the page.

  3. Games that are declared a Rainout will appear available. Click which postponed game you’d like to use your tickets from.

  4. On the next page, click the checkbox next to those tickets and click “continue.”

  5. On the next page, select “find eligible events.”

  6. The remainder of the current WooSox season schedule will appear available. Select the game and seats that you are interested in exchanging for.

  7. At the checkout page, your seat exchange credit will be applied toward whatever seats you’ve chosen for your future game. If the new seats cost more than your credit, you will need to pay the difference. If the new seats cost less than your credit, you will have a credit remaining on your account.

  8. Please note, Tickets.com requires a $1 fee per ticket for exchanges.

  9. Please call the WooSox ticket office with any questions at (508) 500-8888.

Tickets Purchased From a Third-Party Reseller

In the event of a Rainout, tickets bought from a third-party reseller will be subject to the WooSox Inclement Weather Ticket Policy, and we will attempt to honor these tickets, but all exchanges must be requested in-person at the WooSox ticket office.

The WooSox are not responsible for any deficiencies in the tickets bought from third-party resellers and always encourage fans to buy directly from www.WooSox.com.

MLB, City, and State Rules

All Rainout decisions are subject to applicable rules, guidelines, and policies of Major League Baseball, the City of Worcester, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.