Rain Ruins MLB Classic in Bristol: Braves vs Reds Suspended

The historic day at Bristol Motor Speedway, which promised to be a milestone for MLB, was marred by rain. The game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, known as the Speedway Classic, was suspended in the first inning due to inclement weather. The game, which drew a record crowd for a regular season game in Tennessee, will resume on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, as scheduled. The event, which combined baseball and NASCAR, began with a delay of more than two hours after the ceremonial launch, where figures such as Johnny Bench and Chipper Jones participated, along with NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. The definitive suspension came after the Reds took a 1-0 lead.

We are going to suspend tonight’s game. … We are optimistic about a better weather forecast for tomorrow.

Michael Hill, Senior Vice President of MLB Field Operations

The rain, which made the game difficult, forced the players to adapt to the conditions. A bat slipped from TJ Friedl’s hands and a pitcher seemed to lose his balance in his attempt to cover first base. The MLB’s Speedway Classic was announced almost a year ago as part of Commissioner Rob Manfred’s initiative to bring baseball to places where it is not regularly played. Previously, games were played at the “Field of Dreams” in Iowa and in other locations such as Alabama and North Carolina. The Reds pitcher, Andrew Abbott, showed up in Bristol wearing a modified NASCAR racing suit. Abbott, a Virginia native, commented that he wanted something special for the occasion.

I grew up around NASCAR. I went to eBay and found some options, and fortunately that was the one that arrived on time.

Andrew Abbott

Before the rain forced fans to retreat, the event offered entertainment such as a 110-foot Ferris wheel, food stalls, live music, pitching tunnels, and batting cages. Fans were also able to take photos with the Commissioner’s Trophy and enjoy the presence of Clydesdales. Inside, Tim McGraw and Pitbull gave performances. Before the delay, the players paraded in the back of pickup trucks around the track, immortalizing the moment with their phones. The Braves and the Reds were presented walking among cars decorated with each team’s colors. The rain, which had been present for much of the day, intensified, delaying the start of the game. The first delay led the Braves to change their starting pitcher. Spencer Strider, who grew up near Knoxville, received a bigger ovation than Chase Burns, pitcher for the Reds. Despite the delay, the Reds kept Burns on the mound.

Strider did his warm-up, but the Braves decided not to risk his third start after elbow surgery. The rain subsided enough to remove the tarp and start the game. After Austin Hays hit a run-scoring single for Cincinnati, another delay occurred. MLB did not attempt to sell all the tickets inside the stadium, which has a capacity of 146,000 spectators. More than 85,000 tickets were sold, surpassing the previous record of 84,587 set in 1954. To hit a home run in center field, the ball must travel 400 feet, 375 in the alleys, and 330 along the baselines.

Honestly, my first thought is that I can’t believe they did all this for a single game.

Matt Olson, Braves first baseman