I'll Take a Rain Check

A new record was set today in major league baseball, compliments of Jackie Robinson Day. But this record was not one to be proud of. No, it wasn't a home run record, or a highest scoring game record. No, this record had to do with the poor weather and the lack of roofs. This record was the number of postponed games in one day. Today, April 15th, 2007, marks the day that six games, one being a double-header between the Giants and Pirates, were delayed due to rain. Although rain delays are common in professional baseball, six seems to be a high number. And today does not mark the first signs of weather issues. The Cleveland-Mariners series was postponed not one, not two, not three, but four days due to awful storms as the teams were forced to play in the Milwaukee dome where home plate tickets were sold for ten dollars. Although it is uncommon for such a devastating storm to hit in the month of April, actions must be taken to limit the number of postponed games in modern baseball.

Many ideas have been discussed over this drastic situation. One thought is that more stadiums should be domes, having roofs that not only decrease the number of game delays that occur, but also protect the high-paying fans from crummy games and rainy days. Another proposal is that games be counted as official outcomes even before the five inning marker. On Friday, the first of four days the Indians-Mariners game would be delayed, Paul Byrd was one strike away from his first win of 2007 in Cleveland's first home game of the year. Unfortunately, just before that "official" pitch, Alfonso Marquez, the home plate umpire, called for time. After more than an hour, the game was called off and the teams sadly walked off the field. Mariners' fans were relieved, thankful that a check would not have to be drawn in the loss column. Cleveland fans were stunned, furious over the announcement. But rules are rules, and the one-strike-shy game was erased from the "official" recording.

Although the Cleveland-Mariners postponed game was the most popular, it was most definitely not the only one that occurred today. The Mets host Washington in a game that promises to be high scoring. At least it did until a couple rain drops started to fall. "This rain's supposed to last for a few days," said John Maine, the Mets' starter for today. And it did last. The rain fell hard as another game was cancelled for the day. A total of six games were cancelled, and ironically, this disastrous and never-ending day would fall on the historic Remembrance Day for Jackie Robinson. Once again, a beautiful time in professional sports is eclipsed by the very element that keeps mankind up and running: water. And although no one can truly predict the rainy weather, a wet and cold day in baseball can only mean less playing and more negotiating, a mix that never suits well for fans and spectators.