With summer in full swing, it's a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, especially if you like baseball.

And our local teams in the Northwoods are looking out for your safety when storms approach.

With it being the time of the year for storms, you have to be prepared for changeable conditions as a clear sky can be quickly replaced by threatening clouds and storms. Needless to say, there usually are a few games each year that go into rain delays.

((Jorden pagel--woodchucks ballpark operations director))
"June has always been kind of a rainy month, but somewhere in the area of 5 to 8 are affected by rain," says Jorden Pagel, Woodchucks Ballpark Operations Director.

And there are some instances where just the risk of severe storms can lead to a rain out.

"We had the night with the big storm last year that there was potential tornado, so we ended up raining out that game," says Brian Reuter, Rafters Ballpark Operations Director.

Both the Rafters & Woodchucks have members of their staff keep an eye on the radar, especially when the risk of lightning, strong winds and possible tornadoes are in the forecast.

In addition to taking cover indoors underneath the stands, another spot where the rafters might huddle you is perhaps right into the rafters clubhouse. If not there, into the restrooms that are close by. The main aspect here is getting indoors and hopefully out of the elements before the storms hit.

No less, if it is just another rain delay, there sometimes is a bit of fun to be had by the grounds crew and players.

So the best rules of thumb are to check the forecast before heading out to the ballpark and be prepared to seek shelter if storms hit. However if it is just another lazy day of summer, sit back and cheer on the home team.

As long as the weather cooperates, both the Woodchucks and Rafters will be playing home games in the days ahead, along with the Northwoods all-star game at Witter Field on July 17th and 18th.