Muggy Conditions May Impact Play at MLB All-Star Game Tuesday

By Kevin France, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

July 13,2015; 10:15PM,EDT

 

 

The stars of Major League Baseball will showcase their talents early this week as Cincinnati is set to host the 86th edition of the Midsummer Classic at the Great American Ball Park.
After the month of June presented cooler-than-average days in Cincinnati, the temperature will rise just in time for the All-Star game festivities. In addition to higher temperatures, humidity levels will be high, which may impact hitters and pitchers.
Tim Horton hits during the All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball game, Sunday, July 12, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Muggy air could affect how the ball carries and will make for "close conditions" for fans attending the derby.
David Derice, an assistant baseball coach for five years at Nazareth Regional and Wingate Educational Campus in Brooklyn, New York, states that the humidity will affect the baseball because it will actually make the ball a bit heavier than on a less humid day. This reduces the ability of the ball to bounce making it come off the bat much slower than a less humid day. He added that ironically when the temperature is higher the ball will travel a bit farther than it would on a colder day.
RELATED:
Severe Weather to Roll Through Midwest Into Monday Night
Follow Live Updates on the Severe Storms
What is a Derecho?
High temperatures on Tuesday will hover in the mid- to upper 80s F. Fans looking to catch batting practice before the All-Star game should stay hydrated and wear light-colored clothing as AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 90s F, with high humidity factored in.
The temperature will fall into the mid-70s F by game time which is scheduled for just after 7 p.m. EDT. The muggy conditions throughout the game may be a concern for players, especially pitchers.

"When conditions are humid, it can become a challenge for pitchers to grip the baseball, which might affect specific pitches and how they are thrown," Derice added.
There will be a shower or thunderstorm around on Tuesday, so fans will need to keep an eye to the sky again and keep an umbrella or poncho handy.
If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning and should seek immediate shelter until the storm passes.