Rain Ruins the Show: Braves vs Reds in Bristol Suspended Due to Weather

The anticipated sporting event at Bristol Motor Speedway, known as the “Speedway Classic” between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, was marred by rain on Saturday night. The game, which promised to be historic as the first MLB regular season game in Tennessee, was suspended in the first inning due to inclement weather. The suspension occurred after an initial delay of two hours and seventeen minutes, marked by the ceremonial first pitch, where baseball legends such as Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones were present, along with NASCAR figures such as Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. The game will resume on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

We are optimistic that the weather forecast will improve for tomorrow.

Michael Hill, Senior Vice President of Operations in the MLB field

The rain presented challenges for the players. A bat slipped from TJ Friedl’s hands, and a pitcher seemed to lose his balance while covering first base. This event, announced almost a year ago, is part of MLB’s initiative to bring baseball to places where it is not regularly played, following the success of the games at the “Field of Dreams” and other special events. The Reds pitcher, Andrew Abbott, surprised everyone by arriving at the stadium in a NASCAR-inspired outfit, showing his enthusiasm for the event. Before the rain interrupted the game, fans enjoyed various activities, including a 110-foot Ferris wheel, food stalls, live music, and photo opportunities with the Commissioner’s Trophy. The team presentations were spectacular, with the players parading among automobiles decorated with the colors of Atlanta and Cincinnati. The initial delay forced the Braves to change their starting pitcher. Spencer Strider, who grew up near Knoxville, received a big ovation, but the team opted for Austin Cox. The game briefly resumed, but once again the rain forced a new pause, after Austin Hays hit a run-scoring single for Cincinnati. Despite the fact that not all tickets were sold, more than 85,000 tickets were purchased, surpassing the attendance record of 1954. The playing field had unique dimensions, with considerable distances for home runs. The Braves’ first baseman, Matt Olson, expressed his amazement at the magnitude of the event.

The rain ruined a historic night at Bristol Motor Speedway, where thousands of people gathered to watch the Braves face the Reds, and had to wait for the game to be suspended in the first inning.