The expected Major League Baseball game at Bristol Motor Speedway was marred by rain, forcing the suspension of the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning.
The event, called Speedway Classic, which drew a record crowd for a regular season game in Tennessee, was stopped after an initial delay of more than two hours. The game will resume on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
The opening ceremony featured baseball legends like Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones, along with NASCAR figures like Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott.
The fans, after enduring the first interruption, began to leave the venue before the game was postponed, with the Reds leading 1-0.
Michael Hill, senior vice president of operations in the field of MLB, expressed optimism about an improvement in the weather forecast for the next day.
The weather conditions made the game difficult, with incidents such as TJ Friedl’s bat coming out of his hands.
This game was part of MLB’s initiative to bring baseball to unusual places, following the success of the games at the “Field of Dreams” in Iowa and other similar events.
The Reds pitcher, Andrew Abbott, showed up in Bristol wearing a NASCAR racing suit.
Before the rain interrupted the event, fans were able to enjoy a 110-foot Ferris wheel, food stalls, live music, pitching tunnels, and batting cages.
In addition, photo opportunities with the Commissioner’s Trophy and Clydesdales were offered on the circuit.
The show featured performances by Tim McGraw and Pitbull.
The players paraded in trucks around the racetrack before the ceremony.
The first delay caused changes in the Braves’ starting pitchers.
Honestly, my first thought was: I can’t believe they did all this for a single game. Being able to set all this up, prepare a playing surface, install the stands to have a good view, is incredible.
Matt Olson
