General Question

basstrom188's avatar

Cricket is affected by weather conditions is baseball?

Asked by basstrom188 (3985points) August 22nd, 2010

This is about the game being played outdoors. The effect of rain or the lack of it on the pitch and humidity on the movement of a leather ball. The psychological effects of dull damp or sunny days.

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5 Answers

frdelrosario's avatar

Wind knocks down some flyballs, carries some others over the fence. Flies carry further at higher altitudes and in thin desert air.

Sunlight gets in fielders’ eyes, causes shadows that make it difficult for batters to pick up a pitch out of the light. Overcast provides some uniformity.

cazzie's avatar

The bowlers bounce the ball, so the reaction of the pitch on the bowlers is very very important. The pitch is groomed and rolled and molly-coddled. They run out and cover it when it starts to rain. The cricketers wear white (test matches not day matches) to reflect the sun and they are out there in the sun for hours and hours. Sunglasses, zinc sunblock and those wide brimmed hats. They (the bowlers) rub the red ball on their pants to make a shiny side to affect the flow of the ball through the air.

If the day is too damp, the pitch gets odd and unpredictable with the bounce and it makes the batters nervous. Hot days and the fielders are in read difficulties with staying alert.

I haven’t seen a match in ages (been away from NZ for far too long) but I’m sure there are English Jellies that can reply better.

marinelife's avatar

Rain can rain a game out. They usually cover the field for a while and wait for the rain to stop. If it doesn’t they call the game (if it is past the sixth inning) or make it up if it is earlier.

Whitsoxdude's avatar

A wet ball can cause it to slip out of the pitcher/fielder’s hand, causing an inaccurate throw.
I personally prefer cloudy days (I play in the outfield), rather than sunny days. The sun tends to get in your eyes and hinder your ability to field. The sun can also get in the pitcher or hitter’s eyes.

This only applies to baseball, I’m sorry to say I know next to nothing about cricket.

gasman's avatar

@marinelife GA. Unlike American football, in professional baseball the game is halted until nearly dry conditions prevail. I’m not sure any baseball game has ever been played with soaking-wet equipment—not counting spitballs—or players!

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