CLEVELAND (WJW/NEXSTAR) – In a rare mix of astronomical and sporting news, two Major League Baseball games are scheduled to occur on April 8, the day of the total solar eclipse, in cities that are both in the path of totality.
It appears the eclipse itself won’t darken the field while the Guardians host the White Sox in Cleveland, nor while the visiting Astros face the Rangers in Arlington, Texas; but both cities will face a crush of visitors that will strain transportation and parking options.
People from around the globe are set to converge on cities located in the path of totality, the thin band across the U.S. from which residents and eclipse chasers can watch the world plunge into darkness as the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun.
The Rangers game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., over five hours after the end of the eclipse but the MLB still officially lists the Guardians-White Sox game as “TBD.”
According to the Cleveland Guardians, the organization is still finalizing the first pitch time on April 8, but they did say it will not start earlier than 5:10 p.m. due to the total solar eclipse taking place that same day.
At 3:13 p.m., Cleveland will experience a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1806.
The Guardians have started their home openers in recent years with a 4:10 p.m. first pitch. This year, though, that falls in the partial-eclipse window when fans may still be distracted by the overhead phenomenon and not focused on seeing All-Star third baseman José Ramírez step into the batter’s box against the Chicago White Sox.
The team has spent months weighing whether to embrace the eclipse and open the ballpark early to allow fans to watch it together — an opening act on opening day — or wait until it’s over and play a night game.
One team that is embracing the event is the New York Yankees, whose fans will get to enjoy a partial eclipse during a day game against the visiting Miami Marlins.
First pitch is currently scheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET, with the eclipse visible between 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., barring cloud cover.
Other teams playing that day in cities that will see at least a 90% eclipse include the Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, all of which start playing after the eclipse is over.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
