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Little League fans slide on the muddy hillside overlooking Lamade Stadium during a rain delay in the baseball game between Manati, Puerto Rico and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico during pool play at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The 2010 Little League World Series is nearly halfway over, and with such a time-sensitive sporting event, weather concerns can never be put on the bench.

Lance Van Auken, vice president of communications for Little League International, said the operations department watches the weather constantly, especially because the locations of the stadiums somewhat prevent people from seeing some approaching storm systems.

"Thank goodness for weather apps on cellphones!" said Cheryl Miller, head groundskeeper at Little League International.

Game play can continue in light rain, but once the precipitation is more severe or if lightning or thunder is observed, it is time for a rain delay. Volunteers can quickly cover the field with a tarp to prevent flooding.

In the case of lightning, a 30-minute rule is in place for safety.

"Our policy is that when anybody notices a lightning strike or if you hear thunder, we will bring the kids off the field and wait until a half hour after the last noticeable lightning," Van Auken said.

Van Auken said there have been times where the stadiums needed to be cleared, adding that Volunteer Stadium is mostly made of aluminum. In these cases, the safest place for spectators is their vehicles. Players and coaches are kept underneath the stadium until the threat clears.

He also credits the stadiums' communication systems for ensuring the safety of players and spectators alike.

According to Miller, weather can make or break the quality of a baseball field.

"Below 72 is a good temperature we're looking for," Miller said. "We don't like humidity; it's not our friend, so cool weather is the way to go here. We don't want any diseases popping up, and humidity [and] wetness is the first sign you're going to get a disease."

She added that blights, brown patches and dollar spots are all signs of disease, and once it starts, it doesn't take long for it to affect the entire field.

Little League fans wait out a rain delay under umbrellas on the muddy hillside overlooking Lamade Stadium during the baseball game between Manati, Puerto Rico and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico during pool play at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The fields in South Williamsport have many built-in features to avoid weather-related problems. To prevent field flooding, the stadium has a storm drain and a brand-new sand grid drainage system. The field is slightly raised in the center to form a crown, and high-quality infield mix and field conditioners are used to help with field drainage.

As for the hill above Lamade Stadium, where many children participate in cardboard sledding, Miller said the grass never has a problem regrowing.

Preparations on the fields begin as soon as the snow melts.

"This field is treated like a Major League Baseball field," she said. "We have just as many games and events on this field as a Major League field, and even though it's just smaller, that's the only difference... We take very good care of this field."

Miller said safety is always the first and foremost concern with the fields.

"They're playing on their field of dreams. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them," she said. "We would never allow for an injury to happen as a result of this playing field."

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By Gina Cherundolo, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer