FSU softball vs. Oklahoma battles lightning delay in NCAA Softball Tournament

The rematch of the Women's College World Series will have to wait.

Lighting started to strike as the Florida State Seminoles and the Oklahoma Sooners softball teams were about to take the field for game one of the Norman Super Regional. Oklahoma Softball's X account announced the lightning delay. Fans who were waiting at the gate were forced to evacuate.

Game 1 of the NCAA Super Regional was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT. The OU softball account said the gates would open for fans at 6 p.m. EDT.

Lightning delays are common for Oklahoma softball. The start of Game 1 of the 2023 WCWS championship between FSU and OU was delayed more than an hour by lightning in the area, and then another delay in the bottom of the first caused another delay of nearly an hour.

When will FSU softball vs. Oklahoma begin?

Game 1 is underway as it was originally scheduled at 7 p.m. EDT.

What is the lightning rule in softball?

USA Softball's safety guide says umpires are responsible for monitoring weather conditions and making the call to stop play, removing teams from the field and issuing a warning to fans.

If a game has been suspended because of lightning, it can not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last lightning was seen and thunder was heard. Each lightning and thunder occurrence resets the 30-minute clock.

How close does lightning have to be to cancel sports?

The NCAA says if lightning is within 6 miles of the location, the game must be suspended.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU softball in lightning delay: When will NCAA softball game resume?