Due to the storms that have occurred since December, many outdoor sports at American River College have been impacted.

Steven Roberson, dean of kinesiology and athletics, said that the sports most affected are baseball, softball and tennis.

“Games and practices are being impacted when we receive heavy rain or storm systems hitting the Sacramento region,” Roberson said in an email to the Current.

Lisa Delgado, professor of kinesiology and athletics and head softball coach, said that she has never seen rain like what has occurred in the last few storms.

Delgado said that three softball games have needed to be rescheduled and practice plans have been altered.

“We are lucky to have an indoor facility so we can get some batting practice,” Delgado said in an email to the Current. “Pitchers can throw and we can get some defensive work in.”

The head softball coach said that strength training is also being done by softball players at ARC.

“Maybe we’ll hit some home runs after the rain,” Delgado said.

According to Delgado, the maintenance includes placing a tarp on the softball field, which takes everyone’s help.

Other outdoor sports may not be affected as much.

Garrett Seawell, men’s head track and field coach, said that the track is all weather and they are able to compete and practice most of the time.

“Unless there are 30 plus mph winds and/or lightning happening, most track and field events will still happen,” Seawell said in an email to the Current.

When the conditions are bad outside training is done inside, such as in the weight room, core room, cardio room or gymnasium.

“Track being in the rainy season for California is nothing new,” Seawell said. “We have had more rainy days in a row than usual, but it’s something we account for when we plan out workouts for the season.”

Seawell said that if any events do get canceled they most likely will not be rescheduled.

“I really feel for the sports that are heavily affected by the rain,” Seawell said.

According to Seawell, the biggest challenge is the wind affecting an athlete from breaking a personal record. However, he believes that it makes the runners mentally tougher.

Roberson said that coaches, campus operations personnel, conference commissioners and fellow community college athletic departments come together and try to minimize the affects student-athletes feel due to the rain.

“Our coaches do a great job of maintaining an in-season training regimen that allows student-athletes within their programs to remain in great shape,” Roberson said.