"We might end up killing someone while playing baseball" — Heat index feels like 100.4 degrees, life-threatening furnace-like heat forces Futures League cancellations for a second straight day

[Financial News] The KBO Futures League has also come to a halt as record-breaking furnace-like heat engulfs the southern region.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on the 26th that it had abruptly canceled the scheduled game between the Kia Tigers and the Samsung Lions at Gyeongsan Ballpark in North Gyeongsang Province, as well as the Futures League matchup between the NC Dinos and the Lotte Giants at Sangdong Stadium in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, because of the extreme heat.
As a result, both matchups were unable to take the field for a second consecutive day, following the cancellations on the 25th.
The reason for the cancellations was nothing less than life-threatening weather. At 3 p.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a severe heat alert centered on the southeastern part of South Jeolla Province and the Gyeongsang region.
The KMA warned strongly that in Gwangyang, Goryeong, Pohang, Gyeongju, Yangsan and Uiryeong, where the alert was in effect, the maximum perceived temperature would soar to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, with highs reaching 102.2 degrees or more. It described the conditions as extreme heat at a level that threatens lives.
In fact, the heat radiating from artificial turf and dirt on the field can push the perceived temperature well above 104 degrees. In the end, officials concluded that it would be unreasonable to force the games to go ahead when player safety was being seriously threatened.
Under the current professional baseball cancellation rules, a game may be called off at the discretion of the supervisor if the daily high temperature is expected to remain at 95 degrees or higher for at least two days.
As protecting players in extreme heat becomes more important than ever, Futures League clubs in the southern region will continue to face a difficult battle against the weather for the time being.


[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter