The Cleveland Indians have cancelled opening day for the first time since 2007 due to weather.
The team released the following statement:
"Today's game was postponed due to the forecast changing from no precipitation to having precipitation most of the afternoon and into early evening. That steady precipitation forecast combined with wind chills dropping into the teens, it was decided by both teams and umpires for fan comfort and player safety to postpone the game. Tomorrow's forecast will continue to be cold, but no anticipated precipitation."
The game will now be held April 5 with the first pitch at 1:10 p.m. Gates will open at 11 a.m.
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The Cleveland Indians have announced what their opening day festivities will be for their April 4 game against the Boston Red Sox. (It's only two weeks away! It's also sold out.)
Indians vets Kenny Lofton, Bill Selby (Selby!) and Travis Hafner will be part of pre-game events. It all ties into the Tribe's new "Only Here" campaign, which reminds fans it's way better to enjoy big moments in the ballpark with the company of friends. In that vein, some "Only Here" moments, one of which (cough, cough, Selby) it takes a true Tribe fan to remember.
· Selby's walk-off grand slam off Mariano Rivera in 2002, Selby's first and only career walk-off hit and grand slam, giving the Indians a 10-7 win against the Yankees.
· Hafner's game-winning walk-off single during the American League Division Series "bug game" in 2007, giving the Indians a 2-1 win over the Yankees and a 2-0 series lead.
· Lofton's catch in center field to rob B.J Surhoff of a home run on August 4, 1996, and Lofton's game-winning run in the team's 12-run comeback against Seattle in 2001.
Patrick Carney, drummer for The Black Keys and an Akron native, will throw out the first pitch and William Clarence Marshall will be singing the national anthem. The team will also be celebrating all branches of the U.S. military.
.@theblackkeys drummer @patrickcarney will throw our 1st pitch of 2016!#TribeOpener INFO: https://t.co/EeIZLQv42i pic.twitter.com/f3Vj0RU8RT
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) March 21, 2016
Of course, it's way too late to get a ticket to the game. Tickets to this year's season opener sold out in 40 minutes. We've good news though: whenever you do manage to pick up tickets, you'll see a ton of new additions including nine new places to grab something to eat at Progressive Field this year.
The first pitch is at 4:10 p.m. this year, and gates open at 2 p.m.