Visits: 20
Baseball games and leisurely summer afternoons have been intrinsically intertwined since the birth of the sport. But that doesn’t mean that warm weather is easy on players or the fans who come to watch their favorite MLB teams compete. Compounding the issue are the growing repercussions of climate change, which scientists say has led to record-high temperatures across the world.
In fact, preliminary data collected in July 2019 indicates that it was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. Further, the U.N. secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, told The Independent that, “we are on track for the period from 2015 to 2019 to be the five hottest years on record.” Climate change caused by global warming is the likely cause, and baseball fans, coaches, and players alike may want to take note.
Environmental Effects of Climate Change
As climate change continues on its current trajectory, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, according to the Chicago Tribune. And those extreme events, which include rainstorms, heat waves and cold snaps, often equate postponed MLB games. In 2018, in fact, extreme weather led to 53 games being postponed — and attendance keeps dropping as well. Data indicates that, as of May 2019, overall MLB attendance was down for the fourth consecutive year.
Some baseball fans have postulated that playing baseball indoors may help elevate sagging attendance numbers while also allowing players and spectators to avoid inclement weather. However, that’s not necessarily a viable solution, as the majority of MLB teams play in outdoor stadiums, and the cost of replacing those stadiums with indoor models would be prohibitive.
Baseball Versus the Elements
Dealing with the elements has always been a part of baseball, as games are traditionally played outdoors in open-air stadiums. Of the MLB’s 30 stadiums, only seven have retractable or fixed roofs that protect people from inclement weather during a game. The first was Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays, in 1989, although its roof is primarily used to keep out cold and snow in the early weeks of the season.
One stadium in particular, however, has a retractable roof that was designed to keep summertime heat and blazing sunshine at bay. The Arizona Diamondbacks call Chase Field in Phoenix home, and average temperatures in the city between June and September hover at or near 100 degrees. Chase Field’s retractable roof helps keep players and spectators cool on even the hottest days, virtually eliminating the chance that games will be postponed due to weather.
Retractable roofs on baseball and other sports stadiums are just one of the recent technological innovations designed to help combat the effects of climate change. Although personal carbon footprint reduction won’t have as significant of an effect as large-scale sustainability campaigns, individual efforts can make a difference.
For example, one of the easiest ways for an individual or family to reduce their environmental impact is by driving less frequently. Alternative transportation options include bicycling, taking the bus or light rail, and carpooling, especially to major events such as concerts or MLB games.
Climate Change and Public Health
Extreme weather and rising global temperatures are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, when it comes to the potential repercussions of climate change. General public health is also at risk: Poor air quality, contaminated water supplies, and a rise of insect-related diseases have been linked to climate change as well. The negative effects of climate change are becoming difficult to ignore, prompting a global search for solutions to this public health crisis.
In the world of sports, the MLB isn’t the only league affected by climate change. Back in 2015, rising global temperatures induced a discussion about reducing the length of professional men’s tennis matches. That year, 12 competitors dropped out of the U.S. Open, one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, in the first week alone. The best-of-five format of men’s tennis matches can result in lengthy time on the court, sometimes upwards of four hours. In comparison, the average 9-inning baseball game lasts just over 3 hours, according to Sports Illustrated.
Long games in harsh weather, no matter the sport, can adversely impact athletes, and public health officials are becoming involved in the discussion of risk analysis. In fact the University of Nevada, Reno reports that “public health officials have long played an active role in preparing for and helping in the aftermath of natural disasters.” But natural disasters are only part of the big picture when it comes to climate change, and infrastructure, including baseball stadiums, also plays a role.
Even minor league baseball isn’t immune to the effects of climate change. Threats of flooding led to several cancelled games for Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg Senators during the 2018 season, and scientists predict more cancellations and postponements across all of baseball if climate change continues at its current rate.
For the MLB, there isn’t an easy solution. The league may have to become more adaptable, potentially even considering shortening the baseball season rather than deal with postponed games due to climate change.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login