KBO cancels games before 1 p.m. under severe heatwave warning

In response to record-breaking heatwaves, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has implemented a tiered system for managing games during extreme temperatures. The league will now make decisions on game delays and cancellations based on heatwave advisories issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration, prioritizing the safety of spectators and players.

The KBO's new operational standards align with the meteorological agency's warning levels. A "heatwave advisory" is issued when the apparent temperature is expected to exceed 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) for two consecutive days. This escalates to a "heatwave warning" if the apparent temperature is forecast to reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 F) for two days.

Most critically, a "severe heatwave" alert, triggered by an expected apparent temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) or a maximum daily temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 F), grants the KBO the authority to cancel games scheduled for that day, provided the decision is made before 1 p.m. The league emphasizes that safety will be the paramount consideration when such severe conditions are forecast, potentially leading to cancellations even after fans have entered the stadium or the game has begun.