Black Bears Rain Policy

WEATHER UPDATES
To find the most the updated information on weather conditions at Story Field, follow the Black Bears on Twitter(@CowlitzBBears), Instagram (@cowlitzblackbears) and Facebook (Cowlitz Black Bears).

RAINOUT/POSTPONED GAME
A postponement occurs when a game is cancelled due to heavy rain. Cowlitz resides within the Pacific Northwest, so only heavy, prolonged rain will have a chance of postponing a game. Due to the frequency of rain in the area, it is extremely rare for a game to be postponed. If a postponement does occur, the rained-out game is typically rescheduled as part of a doubleheader played against the same opponent on a future date. In the event of a rainout, tickets can be exchanged at a Story Field ticket gate for a ticket of equal or lesser value (subject to availability). All ticket exchanges are only for regular season games, played at Story Field, during the current season.

RAIN DELAY
A rain delay occurs when the game is officially delayed due to heavy rain. Play will continue later that day/night. Tickets cannot be exchanged in the event of a rain delay for any reason.

IF IT IS RAINING BEFORE THE GAME…
A game will rarely be delayed or postponed prior to the scheduled first pitch. Only EXTREME weather will cause a game to be delayed or postponed prior to the scheduled first pitch. We are lucky to have a turf infield, so field conditions are less likely to be a factor in postponing games. If the rain stops before the scheduled start time, the game will continue as planned, without delay. If the rain continues into the scheduled game time, Cowlitz Black Bears management, the umpires, and team managers will invoke a rain delay.

IF IT BEGINS TO RAIN HEAVILY DURING THE GAME…
The Black Bears staff will work with both team managers, along with local weather outlets, to evaluate the immediate weather outlook. If the teams feel the inclement weather will pass, a rain delay is put into effect. If the teams agree that the inclement weather will not pass in a reasonable amount of time, an official rainout is announced.

If a rainout is declared after five innings have been played (or four and a half innings, with the home team winning) a game is considered “official.” In this case, there will be no ticket exchanges. If the game is suspended before the necessary number of innings have been played for an official game, tickets can be exchanged at a Black Bears ticket gate for a ticket of equal or lesser value (subject to availability). All ticket exchanges are only for regular season games, played at Story Field, during the current season with the exception of the game on or directly before Independence Day and the year’s final regular season game.