Pro Baseball Teams Balance Training and Rest During 'Heatwave Break' Amidst Safety Concerns

Professional baseball in South Korea is taking an unscheduled break as record-breaking heat grips the nation. Games scheduled from August 7-9 have been canceled, granting the 10 league teams an unexpected respite. This decision comes after a series of cancellations and a near-disaster where a spectator collapsed during a game on August 4, prompting the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to reassess its safety protocols.

The extreme temperatures, with stadium grounds reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), have forced the KBO to implement comprehensive measures. Initially, the KBO had begun to refine its operational standards based on heat warnings, but a critical incident at the SSG Landers Field led to a full-scale cancellation of games for August 5-6. The subsequent decision to cancel the weekend series means some teams, like the NC Dinos and KIA Tigers, face a ten-day gap in competitive play.

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Players say that doing batting practice only indoors is not enough. So we are also doing outdoor batting practice.

With the sudden break, teams are scrambling to maintain player conditioning and stamina. Most clubs are adopting a strategy of combining training with rest, typically scheduling practice sessions in the late afternoon or evening to avoid the harshest midday heat. Some teams, like KIA and NC, are opting for continuous training, while others, such as Samsung, are dedicating all three days to practice. The focus remains on player and spectator safety, with clubs emphasizing that outdoor training will proceed only if conditions permit and health is not compromised. This unexpected 'heat vacation' poses a significant variable for the league's competitive landscape.

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We plan to train while paying maximum attention to safety management, keeping an eye on the weather situation.