Game Cancellation / Ump Issues

Please save a link to this page so you have it when you need to cancel a game due to weather or otherwise. There may be times when we know in advance that the weather is obviously bad, or the grounds crew has deemed the fields unplayable. In those cases, we will be reaching out to you. However, in some cases things happen closer to game time, so I just want to share with you the contact info you need in either scenario.

Please note there are 4 scenarios below:

1. Cancelled/delayed the day before the game
2. Cancelled/delayed game day more than 1 hour before game time
3. Cancelled/delayed game date less than 1 hour before game time (or after game has started)
4. Ump no show or not there on time, or other umpire feedback

If it's at least the day before the game (or more in advance), please contact Steve and Zack, and we will coordinate with you on fields, umps, etc.

• Zack Maze, webmaster@lakecountystars.org, 847-708-5183
• Steve Appelhans, fields@lakecountystars.org, 224-548-1414

If it's on game day up to 1 hour before game time, we ask you to contact the following as soon as it's determined that the game will be cancelled/delayed:

1. Via telephone call Terrain Group at 224-477-4848 to cancel the field prep (if it hasn't already been prepped).
2. Via text message to notify the official finder company - do not contact the ump directly.

Please include all of the following in a group text:

• 331-276-8548 (Michael Redd from Official Finders)
• 331-222-1867 (Richard James from Official Finders)
• 331-231-1504 (Jarrett Persak from Official Finders)
• 847-708-5183 (Zack Maze from the Stars)
• 224-548-1414 (Steve Appelhans from the Stars)

Be sure to include your last name, age group, time and location of the game you're cancelling, something like this:

• This is Coach Maze from the Lake County Stars 13U team. We are cancelling our game at HH:MM today at Heritage Oaks Park #3.

Of course we will be working with you the best we can on game day, but to help us with coordination of multiple games, etc., we may ask that coaches send the message above to help be sure we get info to the Official Finders and Terrain Group as early as possible to prevent the Stars paying fees for late notifications.

We (Zack and Steve) will then work with you on rescheduling your game and updating Official Finders and Terrain Group as necessary.  Unless you are changing only the game time on the same day, please do not send/request reschedule info via the messages above, only send notification of cancellation.

If it's on game day, less than 1 hour before game time (whether or not you've started the game), we will owe an umpire fee, so please be sure to talk to the ump (if he is there) and opposing coach to determine if you can't continue play.

Once you all agree the game is a wash, via text message please notify Zack, Steve and the following numbers from the official finder company - do not contact the ump directly (unless he's already there of course):

Please include all of the following in a group text:

• 331-276-8548 (Michael Redd from Official Finders)
• 331-222-1867 (Richard James from Official Finders)
• 331-231-1504 (Jarrett Persak from Official Finders)
• 847-708-5183 (Zack Maze from the Stars)
• 224-548-1414 (Steve Appelhans from the Stars)

Be sure to include your last name, age group, time and location of the game you're cancelling, something like this:

• This is Coach Maze from the Lake County Stars 13U team. We are cancelling our game at HH:MM today at Heritage Oaks Park #3. The game _______ (e.g. didn't start, made it through 3 innings, etc.).

We (Zack, Steve) will then work with you on rescheduling your game and updating Official Finders and Terrain Group as necessary.  Please do not send/request reschedule info via the messages above, only send notification of cancellation.

As you know the Stars have hired the company Official Finders to secure umpires for our games, and the assigned umpire can be found through your login to Horizon Web Ref (app or website). They attempt to get umpires assigned as far in advance as possible, but at times it might not be until the day before or even day of the game. It's their job to supply umpires for our home games.

Also, as you're all aware, there's a nationwide shortage of umpires, and often times the umps are running from game to game, and may arrive just a few minutes before the game begins. Please be as patient as possible with your umpire.

If the umpire is not there by a few minutes before game time, please contact the list below (same as the list above) via group text:

Please include all of the following in a group text:

• 331-276-8548 (Michael Redd from Official Finders)
• 331-222-1867 (Richard James from Official Finders)
• 331-231-1504 (Jarrett Persak from Official Finders)
• 847-708-5183 (Zack Maze from the Stars)
• 224-548-1414 (Steve Appelhans from the Stars)

Be sure to include the Stars head coach name, time and field name for your game. The representative from Official Finders, or the ump will then contact you with a status.

Do not reach out to the ump directly, because as mentioned they are likely on their way from another game.  It's important to reach out to the group above so Official Finders can begin working to find another umpire if needed. The Stars don't have direct contact with the umps either.

If you have any other issues with the umpire, feedback on bad performance, or kudos on a great one, please reach out to Steve and Zack and we will pass it along.