Weather & Rainouts
How to Find Out About Rainouts
Seattle Parks checks grass and dirt fields daily during the week and posts a same-day rainout status to the Statusfy app, accessible via a link on the City of Seattle Parks sports fields webpage. You can sign up for text message alerts or download the app for iPhone or Android.
⚠ The official rainout status may not be updated until mid-afternoon. Rainout situations that arise later in the day or early evening may not be reflected online. In such cases, coaches should make game-day decisions as soon as possible based on developing conditions and notify league officials so refunds can be sought from Seattle Parks.
Rainouts on Turf Fields
All Seattle synthetic turf fields are not subject to being rained out. However, if weather is particularly bad due to heavy rain and/or high winds, NWSLL coaches or league officials may cancel practices or games on turf fields. Such determinations will generally be game-time decisions based on current and expected weather conditions.
Rainouts on Weekdays vs. Weekends
Weekdays: Seattle Parks checks grass and dirt fields and posts a same-day rainout status (see the Statusfy app above).
Weekends: Seattle Parks does not post weekend field status. Checking field conditions on weekends is the responsibility of game-day coaches. Coaches — ideally in consultation with league officials — use their discretion to decide whether to cancel a game. Coaches must notify league officials when a weekend game is cancelled so the league can request a refund for field fees (leagues must self-report weekend rainouts to Seattle Parks to receive fee refunds).
💡 Spring Saturday tip: Morning games may be rained out due to unplayable conditions, but fields can often dry quickly once the sun is out and winds are light. Adults raking problem areas and applying field-dry compound can help. Coaches should use their judgment on whether conditions and the forecast support resuming games later in the day. Contact league officials with any questions.
Who Decides About Rainouts?
Weekdays: Seattle Parks determines if fields are rained out and unplayable.
Weekends: NWSLL coaches or league officials determine rainout status.
For certain early-season practice slots (March and early April), fields may be rained out due to unplayable dirt infields while outfield grass remains usable. Coaches may check in advance — if the grass is playable, practice may take place on grass only and/or in batting cages. If even the grass areas are too slippery, muddy, or waterlogged, NWSLL coaches should cancel practices.
On game days, coaches and/or umpires may halt a game in progress if field conditions become unsafe. This decision is at the sole discretion of any coach or umpire involved. Teams may follow up with league officials about scheduling a potential makeup game.
Who Communicates with Team Families About Rainouts?
NWSLL coaches are responsible for communicating with team families about any cancellations due to rainouts. Once the rainout status is known and a game or practice is cancelled, coaches should promptly notify families using the Messages feature in GameChanger or via email.
Game Rainouts and Paid Umpires (AAA and Above)
When games are rained out, paid umpires for AAA divisions and above must be notified as soon as possible. Depending on how much notice is provided, the league may incur full or partial umpire costs even for a game that is not played. The paid umpire organization monitors the Seattle Parks rainout status, but that status does not reflect late weekday cancellations or weekend cancellations decided by NWSLL coaches or officials.
To notify umpires of a cancellation, contact the NWSLL Umpire-in-Chief so he can contact the umpire organization:
NWSLL Umpire-in-Chief: Malcolm Reider 206-552-8349