How climate change could affect the future of baseball

[DesertRat]

Baseball is America’s oldest pastime. But as climate change takes a greater toll on wildlife all across America, the changes it will bring may also have a lasting effect on the game. From more sweltering games that are uncomfortable for spectators and heavier rainfall that could cause weather delays, to the possible loss of the ash tree used to make bats, to the effect of humidity on home runs ─ there’s a lot that may be different about the future of baseball.

Rain. Baseball’s mortal enemy. Thanks to climate change, extreme weather conditions are becoming the new normal. Last year, 54 Major League Baseball (MLB) games were postponed due to rain and other extremes like ice/snow/cold — the second-most weather-related postponements since the MLB started keeping track in 1986.

These climate trends and shifting rainfall patterns are going to continue to affect baseball around the country. Only seven of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums have roofs, so most teams are very vulnerable to weather-related issues. The remaining 23 MLB teams have 20 major cities that they call home (some cities have more than one team). The Weather Channel’s Climate Disruption Index looked at six factors to determine the top 25 U.S. cities most vulnerable to climate change: sea-level rise, extreme precipitation, extreme drought, urban heat islands, and changes in precipitation and temperature. Of the 20 cities hosting roofless MLB teams, over half of them were among the 25 cities the Climate Disruption Index lists as most at-risk from climate change.

But these changes will not affect every part of the country in the same way. FiveThirtyEight recently reported that areas like the Midwest have been getting drenched with rain by more frequent and more severe storms, while more recent climate models are projecting increasing likelihoods for droughts in other areas of the country.

If these trends continue, baseball teams around the country may have to find a way around either too little or too much rain. This is in addition to the higher temperatures all season long that both fans and players will have to endure. Once baseball literally becomes the hottest sport in America due to climate change, both the fans and players will have to find ways to adapt.

https://blog.nwf.org/2019/07/could-climate-change-affect-the-future-of-baseball

[calimary]

1. But... but... but... there's no such thing as climate change.

Besides, it happens every 100-thousand years...

Nothing to see here... Move along...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Climate change will also affect

every single sport played out of doors.

[Brother Buzz]

3. Doubleheaders, baby!

[Ohiogal]

4. More domed and climate controlled stadiums.