Weather during the April 5-15 home stand

[Nine of twelve]

The weather expected during the upcoming home stand appears to be very unfavorable. This problem is compounded by the fact that the first two visiting teams, Seattle and Houston, are each making their only scheduled trip to Target Field. Postponement of any of those games will be difficult to make up, especially if there are multiple games postponed.

 

Here are the forecasted high temperatures according to the Weather Bug app on my phone for the first five games of the home stand: 33, 28, 34 with a 40% chance of precip, 35 with a 40% chance of precip, and 39. Obviously this is subject to change as the dates draw nearer, but it appears very unlikely that conditions will be even close to satisfactory for playing baseball.

 

I haven't read or heard any contingency plans for dealing with this. This thread can serve as a place for anyone to post updates or to speculate on how this will be dealt with.

[ashbury]

Moderator's note: Off-topic posts have been removed. Please start again the discussion about scheduling ramifications and contingency planning. Discussions of global warming, or the decisions that led to Target Field, can be re-litigated in other threads.

[twinssouth]

Moderator's note: Off-topic posts have been removed. Please start again the discussion about scheduling ramifications and contingency planning. Discussions of global warming, or the decisions that led to Target Field, can be re-litigated in other threads.

 

 

 

It's Sunny and 79 D in Atlanta Twins can come down here and play.

[Old Twins Cap]

The temps are cold for sure, but unless the winds are brutal or there is actual precipitation, those games will be played.

 

Epic cold snap for April, in terms of duration.  But the temps are within historical anomalies, so "Play Ball".

[Nine of twelve]

It's Sunny and 79 D in Atlanta Twins can come down here and play.

Now that you bring that up I seem to recall a handful of games being moved to other cities a number of years ago due to early season weather.

[Squirrel]

The temps are cold for sure, but unless the winds are brutal or there is actual precipitation, those games will be played.

 

Epic cold snap for April, in terms of duration. But the temps are within historical anomalies, so "Play Ball".

It wasn’t too many years ago that a few games were cancelled in Chicago for being too cold ... and I believe that was in the 30s range.

 

And a Royals-Sox game was just cancelled this past weekend due to cold for temps not too above freezing, again 30s.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I also recall a home game being played in the visitors park, but the home team / displaced team still batted in the bottom half.

 

I think unless there's actual rain or sleet the games get played!

[amjgt]

It’s just so stupid for MLB to schedule games this way. Load up on intra-division games that are in non-dome, and colder area ballparks the first 2-3 weeks. It’s not that freaking hard.

 

It’s just a computer program that spits out the schedule. Put those variables in.

[amjgt]

I also recall a home game being played in the visitors park, but the home team / displaced team still batted in the bottom half.

 

I think unless there's actual rain or sleet the games get played!

Was that Cleveland a handful of years back?

[Brock Beauchamp]

We live in Minnesota and it's the first week of the season. MLB will figure it out.

 

And having been in several retractable dome stadiums, give me Target Field and its unpredictability 101% of the time. Baseball is meant to be played outdoors without glass and steel cages ruining the field of view just because it gets cold for 2-3 weeks to start the season.

[DaveW]

You shouldn’t cancel games due to cold. Unless it’s like below 20 degrees.

 

They will be fine, just like every other year.

[ewen21]

The Yankees were snowed out today, but then tomorrow it is supposed to be high of 50 or something.  I think high 30s is about as bad as you want to tolerate.  Once it gets down to around freezing that calls for a cancellation, in my opinion.  You just aren't going to get the kind of quality play you pay for.  Football is different.  When both teams need to battle the elements it actually makes the game more interesting.  Not so with baseball.

 

I am sort of old school.  I am not sure why the season starts in March.  I don't see why we can't go back to the old days where double headers were written into the schedule.  Don't see why the season can't start a week later and be played in even less time.  Schedule in a double header every four weeks.  I am sitting here and out the window I see four or five inches of snow on the ground.  I guess it could be 70 and sunny another year, but this weather boy.....enough

[yarnivek1972]

April can be tricky in Minny. Sure enough. It can be 60 just as easily as 20. I agree though, barring actual precipitation the games should be played.

[mickeymental]

the forecast for mexico: chili today, hot tamale.

[Thrylos]

Other than Sunday the 8th that the forecast calls for 70% chance of 3-5 inches of snow, there does not look like much precipitation during game times.  Also, the Seattle and Twins have no games on Friday and they might want to move that Sunday game then or play a scheduled doubleheader on Saturday.

 

They'll figure it out.

[Craig Arko]

I'm curious; how many of the folks here have tickets to these early games?

 

I don't this year but I recall having tickets around this time of year when the game was postponed because of cold, and once when it was not. That was not a magical experience.

[jimmer]

I'm curious; how many of the folks here have tickets to these early games?

 

I don't this year but I recall having tickets around this time of year when the game was postponed because of cold, and once when it was not. That was not a magical experience.

it's also not magical when you pay 800 bucks for a flight, 400 bucks for 3 nights in a hotel, and another 300 bucks for two people to go to three games and 2 of the 3 get rained out and postponed to a later date.

[wxman91]

 

Other than Sunday the 8th that the forecast calls for 70% chance of 3-5 inches of snow, there does not look like much precipitation during game times.  Also, the Seattle and Twins have no games on Friday and they might want to move that Sunday game then or play a scheduled doubleheader on Saturday.

 

They'll figure it out.

 

The problem with Friday is that looks to be the coldest day of the bunch, maybe low 20s if lucky?  This could end up being a really cold Saturday doubleheader. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

This is, btw, why we now live in Portland, OR....

 

The easiest solution is more double headers, but that's not economically feasible, apparently. 

[wsnydes]

 

I'm curious; how many of the folks here have tickets to these early games?

 

I don't this year but I recall having tickets around this time of year when the game was postponed because of cold, and once when it was not. That was not a magical experience.

I have tickets for the opener and Sunday.  My wife decided to forego the opener this year because she was tired of being cold all of the time, so I'm going with my dad instead.  My wife is "scheduled" to join me for Sunday's game.

 

I'll take a few of these games if that also means that I get to enjoy gorgeous summer nights outdoors as well.  It's worth the trade to me.

[wsnydes]

 

This is, btw, why we now live in Portland, OR....

 

The easiest solution is more double headers, but that's not economically feasible, apparently. 

I wish they'd schedule a few double headers a season.  I'd be all over spending a day at the ballpark and downtown.  It's like a mini-vacation in my mind.

[Craig Arko]

I'm guessing if it's like it is here right now this very moment, there will be postponements.

[lecroy24fan]

It can be this cold later in April too. Twins were forced to play a doubleheader against the Marlins a few years back on April 23rd and it was 32 degrees at best for either game. Damn cold but it was my birthday so I was going to both games regardless.

[Brock Beauchamp]

This winter has been agonizing. More snow today, more snow tomorrow, and it's not supposed to warm up until the middle of April.

 

Ugh... and I'm supposed to spend the next two weeks moving everything out of my basement and into my garage so we can finish the basement and add a couple of rooms.

 

Sigh. Minnesota.

[USAFChief]

As to Target Field, I might be in the minority but I'm glad they didn't put a roof (permanent or retractable) on TF.

 

Those things make stadiums feel like airplane hangers, to me.  And I've been to Safeco, as well as Houston and Phoenix.

 

Target Field is a great ballpark, and weather is part of the deal of going to a baseball game.

[Mr. Brooks]

As to Target Field, I might be in the minority but I'm glad they didn't put a roof (permanent or retractable) on TF.

 

Those things make stadiums feel like airplane hangers, to me. And I've been to Safeco, as well as Houston and Phoenix.

 

Target Field is a great ballpark, and weather is part of the deal of going to a baseball game.

If you are in the minority, then I'm joining you!

[Mike Sixel]

As to Target Field, I might be in the minority but I'm glad they didn't put a roof (permanent or retractable) on TF.

 

Those things make stadiums feel like airplane hangers, to me. And I've been to Safeco, as well as Houston and Phoenix.

 

Target Field is a great ballpark, and weather is part of the deal of going to a baseball game.

Agreed, which is what I thought I posted earlier.

[sloopjont]

I'm sure it won't be done by why not play these games in Houston and Seattle and move the games later in the year against these teams to Target Field?

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm sure it won't be done by why not play these games in Houston and Seattle and move the games later in the year against these teams to Target Field?

I think teams charge extra for home openers.

[Vanimal46]

I'm sure it won't be done by why not play these games in Houston and Seattle and move the games later in the year against these teams to Target Field?

It's not fair IMO for fans of 'cold weather' teams waiting 2-3 weeks to see their teams at home.