Seoul: The South Korean baseball season is set to make its return this week after a record-breaking heat wave led to the postponement of nearly all scheduled games last week. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has announced that teams will be back on the field starting Tuesday, marking the end of an unexpected summer break caused by the relentless nationwide heat.
According to Yonhap News Agency, only three of the five games scheduled for last Tuesday were played before the league decided to cancel all remaining games for the week. In response to the extreme temperatures, the KBO also announced a change in game start times, with all remaining games scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. until further notice.
The heat-related cancellations began on August 1, affecting two games initially, with an additional game canceled the following day. Teams like the Kia Tigers and the NC Dinos have not played a game in August due to the weather-induced interruptions, with their last games taking place on July 31.
Both the Tigers and the Dinos will kick off the new week at home, with the Tigers hosting the Samsung Lions at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, and the Dinos facing the league-leading KT Wiz at Changwon NC Park in Changwon. Before the cancellations, both teams were struggling, and the unexpected break might provide them a chance to regroup as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Tigers currently hold the fifth and final postseason spot, while the Dinos are trailing in seventh place.
The KT Wiz, who were on a six-game winning streak before the stoppage, will be closely watched as they return to action. Following their series with the Dinos, they will host the Kiwoom Heroes in Suwon.
Meanwhile, the Doosan Bears have been on a three-game winning streak, moving them into fourth place. They will host the Hanwha Eagles in Seoul before traveling to Gwangju for a face-off with the Tigers. The LG Twins, holding onto third place, will remain in Seoul to play against the Heroes and the SSG Landers.
The Samsung Lions, who recently lost their hold on first place, will look to bounce back against the Tigers before hosting the Eagles in Daegu.