KBO Exhibition Game Canceled Due To Severe Cold Weather

On March 17, 2025, the much-anticipated exhibition game of the KBO League between the SSG Landers and KIA Tigers was abruptly canceled due to an unexpected cold snap. The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) announced the cancellation late in the afternoon, stating the frigid conditions as the reason for this decision.

This game was scheduled to take place at 6 PM at the Gwangju-Kia Champions Stadium, originally shifted from its earlier start time of 1 PM, allowing for teams to adapt to night game conditions. The KBO now indicates this cancellation reflects the league's commitment to ensuring the safety and comfort of players and fans alike.

According to the local meteorological agency, temperatures for the evening game were expected to drop significantly, with projected lows of around -6 degrees Celsius and wind chills reaching as low as -3 degrees Celsius by 7 PM. Such weather conditions are quite severe for outdoor sporting events, prompting the league to take precautionary measures.

This cancellation marks the 13th time since 2001 when cold weather has forced the KBO to cancel exhibition games, and it is particularly notable as it is the first such cancellation experienced within the last five years. The last incident occurring on March 21, 2018, when Hanwha Eagles faced the Doosan Bears. "This is the 13th time an exhibition game has been canceled due to cold weather since 2001, and the first time in 5 years," said the KBO spokesperson, emphasizing the rare nature of these cancellations.

The KBO has set to schedule the last exhibition game between the SSG Landers and KIA Tigers on March 18, 2025, at 1 PM at the same stadium; nevertheless, the reliability of holding this game remains questionable due to weather forecasts predicting potential snow or rain during the early hours. Forecasters suggest wintry conditions will persist leading up to the expected game time and could hinder the teams' final preparations just before the regular season commences.

On March 18, morning temperatures across the nation are expected to fall below 0 degrees Celsius, with comparisons indicating these readings will be lower than the seasonal averages by 2 to 6 degrees. The wake-up call for many involved will be noticeable, as combining these cold temperatures with the impending forecast of snowy conditions creates uncertainty surrounding any planned events.

Precipitation can include either rain or snow, forecasted to continue from late night on March 17, throughout the morning of March 18, with snow accumulations expected to vary across regions. Specifically, areas including Seoul, parts of Gyeonggi Province, and others will see 5-10 centimeters of snow, with localized heavier amounts anticipated exceeding 15 centimeters.

On the east coast and mountainous regions of Gangwon, forecasts suggest significant snowfall perhaps reaching 40 centimeters, causing concerns about travel and safety. Additional forecasts for other regions anticipate varied amounts of snow, with strong winds also likely to occur, exacerbated by the storm conditions predicted for the area.

Morning temperatures on the 18th will stand considerably lower, with minimum temperatures ranging between -3 and 3 degrees Celsius, rising to daytime highs expected between 3 and 9 degrees Celsius. The chilling effects are epitomized by the temperatures predicted across major regional cities: Seoul -1 degree, Chuncheon -4, and Gwangju at 1 degree Celsius.

Weather such as this, coupled with significant snowfall and wind, raises logistical issues for teams involved, highlighting the intricacies of scheduling and planning for professional sporting events. On one hand, the KBO's potential decision-making has to prioritize player and fan safety; on the other, the challenge remains for the teams to balance preparation and readiness as they strive to make the most of the limited practice before the competitive season begins.

Recent forecasts point toward widespread gale warnings on the night of March 17 with wind speeds potentially hitting 72 kilometers per hour or more, especially felt throughout capital areas and coastal locations. Winds across the nation will likely generate swift wind gusts exceeding 55 kilometers per hour in several areas, posing additional challenges for the teams and fans awaiting the return of sunshine and favorable baseball weather.

Whatever lies next for the KBO and its teams, clarity depends on improving weather conditions and successful navigation of the upcoming dates. True baseball enthusiasts hope the last exhibition game can proceed as planned, setting the stage for the official start of the KBO's 2025 season.