[Official Announcement] 'Heatwave Countermeasures: Games Start at 7 p.m. Until This Week' KBO to Restore Original Schedule Starting the 25th

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is readjusting its game operation guidelines related to heatwaves, reflecting recent changes in weather conditions.

On the 6th, the KBO convened an emergency implementation committee for heatwave response to ensure the health and safety of spectators, players, staff, and other attendees at ballparks, establishing comprehensive countermeasures.

At that time, the KBO announced adjustments to game start times beginning August 11, shifting them to 7 p.m. on weekdays (with exceptions: Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except for Gochok Stadium where games start at 7 p.m. on weekdays). The organization also supplemented its guidelines for determining whether games should proceed. Additionally, the KBO stated it would flexibly apply operational standards in response to future changes in weather conditions and on-site circumstances.

Subsequently, as heatwave levels have eased compared to initial forecasts, the KBO decided to readjust its heatwave-related guidelines after comprehensively considering data on heatstroke cases at each ballpark, along with feedback from teams and on-site personnel.

Under this adjustment, KBO League games scheduled from the 25th through September 6 will resume their original start times. Until the 31st, weekday games will begin at 6:30 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday games will start at 6 p.m. However, pursuant to Article 21 of the regulations, starting in September, weekend game start times will be changed. Consequently, games scheduled from September 1 to 6 will begin at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. While these restored start times serve as the baseline, if a delay is deemed necessary, game starts may be postponed up to 7:30 p.m.

The four-minute cooling breaks applied after the third, seventh, and ninth innings will only take effect starting the 18th when a heatwave advisory (warning level or higher) is issued as of 1 p.m. on the day of the game. The cleaning time following the fifth inning will be maintained at a standard duration of four minutes but may be extended to six minutes if needed. Other operational guidelines regarding game cancellations or delayed starts due to heatwaves will remain unchanged from previous standards.

Meanwhile, for the Futures League (KBO minor league), night games originally scheduled to start at 7 p.m. from the 29th to 31 will revert to their original start times.

The KBO has requested all teams to exercise utmost caution in safety management to ensure the health and well-being of ballpark visitors, noting that even as heatwave conditions ease, there remains a period when risks of heat-related illnesses persist.

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*This content was translated by AI.