How long are NCAA softball tournament lightning delays? Weather update protocols

USA Today

22-05-2025

How long are NCAA softball tournament lightning delays? Weather update protocols
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Legally blind pitcher Jenica Matos to play D1 softball
The Cheshire High School star in Connecticut can't see home plate but threw three no-hitters last year and will play Division I for the Red Storm.
Over the last handful of seasons, the NCAA softball tournament has delivered fireworks as 64 teams compete for one of the coveted eight spots in Oklahoma City and play for the eventual national championship.
After all, it is called the "Greatest Show on Dirt" for a reason. But that isn't the only thing the NCAA softball tournament delivers over its near month-long run from regionals, super regionals and the Women's College World Series.
As sure as softball will be played in the months of May and June, there also will be weather delays as the humid weather rolls in.
REQUIRED READING: Who's in Super Regionals? Updated bracket, schedule for NCAA softball tournament
Here's what you need to know about lightning delays and what they mean during the NCAA softball tournament:
NCAA Softball lightning delay, explained
NCAA rules state that if lightning strikes within at least six miles of the venue of the event, the game must be suspended. In addition, the NCAA uses the "Flash to Bang" method, meaning if lightning is observed, count the seconds until thunder is heard and divide the number of seconds by five to obtain the distance in miles. That means that if thunder is heard 30 seconds after the lightning strike, the storm is six miles away, therefore initiating a delay.
"To resume athletics activities, lightning safety experts recommend waiting 30 minutes after both the last sound of thunder and after the last flash of lightning is at least six miles away, and moving away from the venue," the NCAA states. "If lightning is seen without hearing thunder, lightning may be out of range and therefore less likely to be a significant threat. At night, be aware that lightning can be visible at a much greater distance than during the day as clouds are being lit from the inside by lightning. This greater distance may mean that the lightning is no longer a significant threat. At night, use both the sound of thunder and seeing the lightning channel itself to decide on when to reset the 30-minute return-to-play clock before resuming outdoor athletics activities."
NCAA Softball lightning delay proximity of strike
Closest proximity: Six miles
Six miles Farthest proximity: Eight miles
The NCAA notes that for a lightning delay to be issued, a lightning strike needs to be seen and heard within at least six miles of the stadium and as far as eight miles.
How long is a lightning delay in softball?
Lightning delay length: 30 minutes
Once lightning is detected in the area and the game goes into a lightning delay, it is either delayed or suspended for approximately 30 minutes. However, that 30-minute clock can be altered. For every lightning strike that follows the initial lightning strike, the 30-minute clock is reset.
NCAA softball, WCWS weather policy
Knowing the likelihood of a weather delay, especially in the spring/summer, the NCAA has a fully written-out weather policy on what should happen for a WCWS game.
Here's a closer look at the NCAA's weather policy for the NCAA softball tournament and the NCAA's other outdoor sports: