Spring training is winding down but the heat is turning up in the Cactus League.
The Athletics and rest of the MLB teams that train in the Phoenix area are expecting unseasonably hot temperatures in the upcoming week — even by Arizona standards. And spring training game times are going to be affected.
Record-setting heat is forecast over the next seven days in central Arizona with temperatures that could top 105 degrees through next weekend. The average temperature with about 10 days left in the Cactus League is the high 80s.
National Weather Service meteorologist Katherine Berislavich told Associated Press the current forecast shows a roughly 70% chance the temperature will top 105 on Thursday and 85% on Friday.
Fifteen of MLB’s 30 teams play their exhibition games in the Phoenix area, including the Athletics, who play exhibition games at Mesa’s Hohokam Park.
Even after Athletics complete a scheduled to move to a domed stadium on the Las Vegas strip in 2028, they will continue to train in the Cactus League. The Athletics have a 20-year lease with Mesa through 2033 with two five-year extension options.
MLB does not schedule spring training games, leaving the calendar up to individual teams. Some teams already have changed game times to try to beat the heat.
The Athletics host the Chicago Cubs on Friday, when it is predicted to hit 106 degrees, and they have moved that game from a 1:10 p.m. start to 6:10 p.m. The Cubs, playing a split-squad game, also host a game Friday at nearby Sloan Park and have moved that first pitch vs. the Cincinnati Reds to 6:05 p.m.
In Goodyear, where the Reds and the Cleveland Guardians train, Friday and Saturday game times have been moved to 6:05 p.m. starts. Some ballparks, like in Peoria where the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners train, have relaxed their outside beverage policy, allowing sealed sports drinks in the stadium.
However, the home team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, said they do not anticipate changing gametimes despite hosting five afternoon games in the next seven days at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
“Fans purchased spring packages knowing what the announced times are and several plan trips around our schedules,” Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall told the Arizona Republic. “Additionally, we have businesses that reserved the party decks and suites specifically for day outings.
“But fans can walk around, find shade on the concourses, and we are bringing in hundreds of gallons of water to place at the gates for fans to fill cups and bottles. We also have free sunscreen stations in the ballpark.”
Even if it doesn’t quite make it to 105 this week, triple digits are very likely. The previous record for the earliest day of the year above 100 in Phoenix was on March 26, 1988, which is also the only day that has hit 100 in March.
Even well-conditioned MLB players might have a tough time adjusting to the heat. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that he’s aware of the potential heat and that the team could alter its schedule.
“We know it’s going to be smoking hot next week, but we’ve got to get work done,” Lovullo said. “There’s nothing that you can do sometimes to replace going out and actually doing it.
“We’ll find a way to get it done and make sure these athletes are healthy, strong, hydrated and ready for the next day. But we may make some adjustments.”
The Associated Press contributed this report.
Bill Bradley is the Sports Editor of the Review-Journal. Follow @billbradleyLV on X.
