KBO Spring Training Games Canceled Due To Heavy Snow

The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on March 18, 2025, the cancellation of four spring training games scheduled to take place due to heavy snowfall affecting various stadiums across the country. The affected games included notable matches such as the NC Dinos facing off against the LG Twins at Seoul’s Jamsil Stadium, the Samsung Lions competing against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park, the Doosan Bears taking on the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park, and the SSG Landers challenging the KIA Tigers at Gwangju Kia Champions Field.

Despite the snow blanketing these venues since early morning, the game between the Kiwoom Heroes and Lotte Giants at the Gocheok Sky Dome will proceed as planned at 1 PM KST. This is not only the only match scheduled indoors but also the sole game unaffected by the weather conditions, highlighting the advantages of playing within covered arenas.

This snowfall disruption marks the first time since March 21, 2018, when another game was canceled due to snow. That match, featuring the SK Wyverns (now SSG) against the KT Wiz at Munhak Baseball Stadium, has been seldom repeated. Since 2001, this incident now constitutes the 15th time spring training games have been canceled due to snowy conditions.

Interestingly, only one KBO regular-season game has ever been canceled due to snow throughout its history. On April 14, 2010, the regular-season clash between Doosan and KIA was called off because of similar harsh weather conditions, standing as the only precedent for cancellations at this level of play.

With the spring training games on pause due to this weather interruption, KBO teams are now pivoting toward preparations for the upcoming regular season. The last opportunity to assess players’ performance and strategy has been curtailed, leaving teams unable to complete their final evaluations before the season commences. Nevertheless, the KBO is steadfast about moving forward with preparations for the start of the regular season on March 22, 2025, where ten teams are set to compete across 144 games.

On opening day, competitive matchups are set to excite fans. The games will include KIA versus NC, Samsung competing against Kiwoom, LG facing Lotte, KT matching up with Hanwha, and SSG playing against Doosan at various venues including Gwangju, Daegu, Jamsil, Suwon, and the SSG Landers Field, respectively.

Coaching staff and management are weighing their options as to starting pitchers for the opening games. Expectations are high for foreign pitchers to take the mound, with KIA slated to start James Naile, NC to begin with Logan Verrett, LG set to pitch Yoni Chirinos, and Lotte featuring Charlie Barnes.

Other starting pitchers noted include Kyle Arjona for Doosan, Ariel Jurado for Samsung, Enmanuel De Jesus for KT, and Kenny Rojas for Kiwoom. Although SSG has yet to announce their starting pitcher, Drew Anderson is speculated to take the mound, and Hanwha is weighing their choices among Ryu Hyun-jin, Kody Ponce, and Ryan Weiss, indicating readiness for competitive matchups right from the season's outset.

Weather-related cancellations, such as the ones affecting the spring training games, have historically been rare. Fans and teams alike experienced disappointment with the abrupt cancelation of spring training matches, marking the close of one chapter as the teams prepare for the excitement and challenges of the forthcoming regular season.