Opening Day Weather 2017: Positive Outlooks for Many Teams but Danger Still Lurks in the Skies

Opening Day Weather History

For some, #CapsOn signals one of the greatest days of the year: Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. After what seemed like a neverending winter, baseball fans are anxious for the first pitches. Our meteorology team is anxious for something else: The weather. Eyes are on the skies for teams that we work with in order to ensure a fun, safe day at the ballpark.

The weather on Opening Day has definitely caused some mischief in the past. In 1907, The New York Giants (Now San Francisco Giants,) played the Philadelphia Phillies in New York right after a snowstorm. During the game, the Phillies 3-0 lead angered Giants fans so much that they started throwing snowballs onto the field. The fans actually eventually rushed the field and disrupted the game. Unfortunately, this cost the Giants the chance to come back, as the chaos ended the game.

Opening Day  Weather 2017

While the weather on Opening Day 1907 resulted in humorous delays, lightning, thunderstorms, and heavy rain threaten baseball players, fans, and fields all season long. Luckily, the outlook for Opening Day 2017 is positive for many games. After the first three games on Sunday, the other 24 teams hit the field on Monday. Here’s a look at the weather for #OpeningDay.

• Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals (1:05 p.m. EDT): Mostly cloudy early, becoming cloudy, with possibly a few very late game showers. Temperatures will be seasonable, in the lower 60s, throughout the game.

• The Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (1:10 p.m. EDT): The weather will be pretty great for the opener at Citi Field. Partly cloudy skies are expected, with just a bit of a south wind. Temperatures will hold in the lower 60s.

• Pittsburgh Pirates at Boston Red Sox (2:05 p.m. EDT): Fenway Park’s 106th opener will be spectacular today, with bright sunshine and seasonable temperatures in the 50s.

• Colorado Rockies at Milwaukee Brewers (2:10 p.m. EDT/1:10 p.m. CDT): Fortunately, Miller Park has a roof, as showers are expected around Milwaukee throughout the day. Temperatures for the walk into the ballpark will also be on the chilly side, only in the upper 40s.

Late Afternoon Games

• Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles (3:05 p.m. EDT): Cloudy skies are expected throughout the game, with just a stray shower possible late in the game. Temperatures will be seasonable, in the lower 60s, but falling into the 50s late.

• Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds (4:10 p.m. EDT): Great American Ball Park will be a bit soggy as well, with occasional showers throughout the day. Temperatures will be a bit mild, near 60 degrees, at game time.

• Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox (4:10 p.m. EDT/3:10 p.m. CDT): Steady rain is anticipated throughout the afternoon, with a stiff wind off of Lake Michigan. Temperatures will only be in the middle 40s, with the wind making it feel more like the upper 30s.

• Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins (4:10 p.m. EDT/3:10 p.m. CDT): Cloudy skies and a few showers are possible around Minneapolis today, although the steady rain won’t arrive until late. Bring a jacket if you’re going to the game, as temperatures will only be in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

• San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers (4:10 p.m. EDT/1:10 p.m. PDT): The first game at Dodger Stadium sans Vin Scully will be quiet in the weather department. Sunshine will be plentiful, with temperatures well into the 60s.

Evening Games

• Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers (7:05 p.m. EDT/6:05 p.m. CDT): Sunshine will be present for the first evening game in Arlington, Texas. Temperatures will be in the lower 70s early on, falling through the 60s throughout the game.

• Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros (8:10 p.m. EDT/7:10 p.m. CDT): Look for the roof to be open at Minute Maid Park this evening as sunshine will be plentiful along with seasonable temperatures. The mercury will start off in the lower 80s at game time, dropping through the 70s throughout the game, along with low humidity levels.

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland Athletics (10:05 p.m. EDT/7:05 p.m. PDT): Similar to the game in southern California, the start of the baseball season in Oakland will be pleasant. Temperatures will be in the 60s at the start of the game, falling into the 50s late.

MLB Safety Standards on Severe Weather

The MLB is one of the only professional sports league that does not have specific rules or standards for lightning or other forms of severe weather. The official MLB rulebook from 2016‘s only rules on severe weather state the home team has the decision not to start a game and the umpire has the decision to end a game early or not start the second game of a doubleheader as a result of severe weather.

Considering there are two large lightning conductors at the end of each foul line, we think it’s important for the MLB to reevaluate the dangers of lightning and severe weather not only to their fields but to their players and fans as well.