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South Korean Baseball Games Canceled Due to Extreme Heat

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • All professional baseball games in South Korea, both first and second division, scheduled for August 5 and 6 have been canceled due to record-breaking heatwaves.
  • This brings the total number of games canceled this season due to extreme weather to 15, with 40 games canceled overall due to various reasons including rain.
  • The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will hold an emergency meeting with team managers and the players' association to discuss comprehensive measures for managing games during heatwaves, prioritizing the safety of spectators and players.

Professional baseball games in South Korea have been canceled for August 5 and 6 due to extreme heat, affecting both the KBO League and the Futures League (second division).

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced the cancellations, bringing the total number of games postponed due to heatwaves this season to 15. In total, 40 games have been canceled this season due to various weather conditions, including rain.

All KBO League and Futures League games scheduled for August 5 and 6 have been canceled due to the record-breaking heatwave.

— KBO OfficialAnnouncing the decision to cancel professional baseball games.

In response to the ongoing heatwave, the KBO is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on August 6. This meeting will include the general managers of all 10 KBO clubs and representatives from the KBO Players Association. The primary agenda will be to discuss comprehensive strategies for managing league operations during periods of extreme heat, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the safety of both fans and players.

We will hold an emergency meeting to discuss comprehensive measures for managing games during heatwaves, prioritizing the safety of spectators and players.

— KBO OfficialOutlining the next steps in response to the extreme weather.

Recently, the KBO introduced a tiered system for managing games during heatwaves. Under this system, games will proceed normally during a heatwave advisory. If a heatwave warning is issued, games may be postponed for up to an hour, with the home team's input considered. In the event of a severe heatwave emergency warning, games scheduled before 1 p.m. can be canceled to prioritize safety. Despite these measures, a spectator at a game in Incheon on August 4, which proceeded under a heatwave warning, experienced heat-related illness and was transported to the hospital.

The KBO aims to re-evaluate its league-wide operational policies and safety protocols from the ground up, considering the unprecedented weather conditions. The discussions are expected to cover long-term solutions and immediate safety measures to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures on the sport.

A spectator experienced heat-related illness during a game despite the heatwave warning.

— ReporterHighlighting the risks associated with playing games during extreme heat.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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