KBO Heat Cancellations
KBO Cancels Two Games as Severe Heatwave Warnings Prioritize Player Safety
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Key Points
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The two Saturday games canceled were Samsung Lions vs Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan and Kia Tigers vs NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park in Changwon.
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Outdoor venues (all except Gocheok Sky Dome) may have kick-off times pushed back by up to one hour after consultations between the league's game operations committee and clubs; in areas under a severe heatwave warning, the league will actively consider canceling games as well.
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The severe heatwave warning is the system's top level, introduced this year; it is triggered when apparent temperature reaches 35°C for two consecutive days or is forecast to reach 38°C in a single day.
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Prior to these cancellations, a Samsung Lions–Lotte Giants game saw players suffer heat-related symptoms, including Lotte's Hwang Sung-bin feeling dizzy and Son Seong-bin showing fever and vomiting, prompting substitutions.
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During earlier heat, Sajik Stadium ground temperature reportedly rose to around 71°C, with on-site measures like water spraying used to try to cool the surface, underscoring extreme conditions.
The Korea Baseball Organization canceled two Saturday games due to a severe heatwave, with temperatures forecast to exceed 37°C at game time, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. The canceled matchups were Samsung Lions vs. Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, and Kia Tigers vs. NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park in Changwon.
The cancellations came after players suffered heat-related symptoms in a recent game, and after ground temperatures at Sajik Stadium reached a reported 71°C, according to Star News Korea. The KBO said player and spectator safety is its top priority, and it is prepared to cancel more games if conditions demand it.
Players Vomit and Dizzy Before League Acts
Before the cancellations, a Samsung Lions vs. Lotte Giants game exposed players to dangerous heat. Lotte's Hwang Sung-bin felt dizzy during the game. Teammate Son Seong-bin suffered fever and vomiting and had to be substituted, according to Star News Korea. The incidents pushed the KBO to act quickly.
Ground temperatures at Sajik Stadium in Busan climbed to around 71°C during earlier games. Staff used water spraying to try to cool the surface. But with air temperatures forecast above 37°C for Saturday, the KBO decided delays alone were not enough.
New Flexible Scheduling Rules for Outdoor Venues
The KBO has introduced a new policy allowing game start times to be pushed back by up to one hour at outdoor stadiums, according to Korea Herald. The league's game operations committee makes that call after consulting with the clubs. All venues except Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome — the country's only domed stadium — fall under this rule.
In areas under a severe heatwave warning, the KBO goes further. Rather than just delaying, it will actively consider outright cancellations. Saturday's two games both fell into that category, triggering the cancellations reported by SE Daily.
What Triggers a Severe Heatwave Warning
South Korea uses a three-level heat alert system: advisories, warnings, and the newly introduced severe heatwave warning. The top level is triggered when the apparent temperature — what it actually feels like — hits 35°C for two straight days, or is forecast to reach 38°C in a single day, according to Korea Herald.
This top-level alert was introduced this year. It gives the KBO a clear trigger to act. The league monitors weather conditions in real time and adjusts its decisions game by game.
KBO Warns More Cancellations Could Follow
The KBO made clear that Saturday's cancellations may not be the last. The league said it will keep watching conditions closely and is ready to cancel further games if severe heatwave warnings continue, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. No makeup dates for the two canceled games have been announced yet.
Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul remains unaffected by the heat policy. Its climate-controlled environment means games there can proceed regardless of outside temperatures. For the rest of the league's outdoor venues, the summer schedule now depends as much on the weather forecast as on the scoreboard.
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