Cactus League heat shuffle
Arizona’s unprecedented March heat wave forced 11 Cactus League games to be rescheduled to cooler times — including the Oakland A’s moving a spring game to a morning slot, an unusually early shift for spring training. Teams are scrambling to protect players and fans as Opening Night approaches next week ( ).
Forecast models showed central Phoenix highs forecast as high as 106°F for the stretch of March 18–22, pushing triple‑digit readings into what is normally the final weekend of spring training. (espn.com) Local schedules list specific afternoon-to-evening shifts: Royals at Rangers moved to 6:05 p.m. March 18 at Surprise Stadium; Angels at Royals 6:05 p.m. March 19 at Surprise Stadium; Giants at Rockies 6:10 p.m. March 19 at Salt River Fields; Giants at Rangers 6:05 p.m. March 20 at Surprise; Brewers at Diamondbacks 6:10 p.m. March 20 at Salt River Fields; White Sox at Reds 6:05 p.m. March 21 at Goodyear; and Cubs at Mariners 6:10 p.m. March 21 at Peoria. (abc15.com) A separate scheduling move advanced the Oakland Athletics–Los Angeles Dodgers matchup in Glendale to an 11:00 a.m. start on Saturday, the rare morning slot intended to avoid peak heat. (espn.com) Cactus League and ballpark officials announced temporary fan‑safety changes including allowing sealed bottled water and sports drinks, installing hydration stations and deploying misting or shaded areas at concourses. (espn.com) Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher framed the timing changes as a health‑first decision, saying the league’s “No. 1 priority is the health and safety of all involved.” (espn.com) Major League Baseball’s regular season opens with a standalone Opening Night on March 25, 2026 (Yankees at Giants), meaning these spring‑training adjustments occur during the last full week before clubs head into the regular season. (mlb.com)
