[Official] "Students are extremely fortunate": Day games avoided during 37℃ heatwave! First three days of the Bonghwangdaegi tournament held with only one game per day... Scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) has partially adjusted the schedule for the 54th Bonghwangdaegi National High School Baseball Tournament due to increasingly severe heat.

On the 4th, KBSA stated, "In response to the ongoing heatwave across the country and the issuance of a major heat warning by the Korea Meteorological Administration, we have partially adjusted the game schedule for the tournament starting on August 7. We will implement operational measures that prioritize the safety of players, tournament officials, and spectators."

No day games will be held from the 7th to the 9th, the three days when heat is expected to be most severe. This tournament, the largest national event in Korea with 104 registered high school teams participating, will take place at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium, Sinwol Baseball Stadium, Guri Baseball Stadium, and other venues. Originally, games were scheduled for 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5 p.m., but forecasts predicted temperatures in Seoul could reach as high as 37℃ on the opening day, raising concerns about student athletes' health.

A double heat dome phenomenon caused by two high-pressure systems over the Korean Peninsula has led to sustained temperatures above 35℃ in the Seoul metropolitan area. Major heat warnings have been issued in several areas including Seoul, and professional baseball games such as Jamsil Doosan vs. NC on the previous day (the 4th) and Gwangju KIA vs. KT were canceled. The major heat warning is the highest level of the newly introduced heat advisory system effective from June 1 this year, issued when the apparent temperature reaches or exceeds 35℃ for two consecutive days or is forecast to reach or exceed 38℃ in a single day.

In response, KBSA decided to cancel games scheduled during the hottest hours to prevent heat-related illnesses among players and protect their performance. Additionally, the first game originally set for 9 a.m. was moved up to 8:30 a.m., and afternoon games were rescheduled from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This schedule adjustment aims to minimize impacts on the special admission cycle for university enrollment while enabling athletes to compete in safer conditions despite record-breaking heat. KBSA also announced that it will implement various heat countermeasures alongside the adjusted game times throughout the tournament period.

For student athletes, this is extremely fortunate. KBSA stated, "As key safety measures, we have prepared cooling time operations based on apparent temperature thresholds, installed mobile air conditioners in dugouts, distributed cooling towels to participating teams, implemented health self-diagnosis checklists for player groups, and strengthened emergency medical systems and on-site safety management."

KBSA emphasized, "We could not ignore the special admission schedule for university enrollment. Prioritizing the health and safety of players, we will continuously monitor weather conditions, strictly follow heat response manuals, and do our utmost to ensure a safe tournament operation."

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*This content was translated by AI.