Weather’s Impact on Baseball

Introduction to Weather’s Role in Baseball

The 2025 Major League Baseball season is underway, and just like any outdoor sport, the weather can have an impact.

What You Need To Know

• Temperatures play a key role in the movement of a baseball
• Baseballs don’t travel as far during the colder months of the season
• Warmer temperatures can add more distance to the flight of a baseball

Most notably, rain and sometimes snow can lead to weather delays. But the temperature can affect the sport more than you would think.

Temperature’s Effect on Baseball Movement

The air temperature has an impact on the movement of a baseball over the course of the season.

At the start of the MLB season in late March and early April, temperatures can be in the 30s and 40s at the time of the first pitch, especially for the teams playing in the northern U.S.

Baseballs hit during this time of the year don’t travel as far because of the cooler temperatures.

Colder Temperatures and Their Impact

A ball struck in early April may be a pop fly, but in May or June, the same ball could be a home run and it’s all because of colder air being denser than warm air.

So when a batter hits a ball during colder temperatures, the baseball has to push through more air molecules which act as resistance, causing the ball to travel shorter distances compared to the warmer months.

This is great for pitchers, but can also prevent some batters from getting into a good rhythm at the beginning of a long season.

Warmer Temperatures and Their Impact

Heading into the middle of the season, temperatures get warmer. That typically favors the batters more compared to the colder months.

The warmer air is less dense, so there is less resistance, allowing for baseballs to travel further, leading to more base hits and home runs.

Conclusion

Whether you’re watching a game at home or attending one in person, keep in mind how the air temperature can influence the trajectory of the baseball, especially early in the season.

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does temperature affect the movement of a baseball?

A: Temperature affects the movement of a baseball by changing the air density. Colder air is denser, causing more resistance, while warmer air is less dense, resulting in less resistance and longer distances.

Q: Do warmer temperatures favor batters or pitchers?

A: Warmer temperatures typically favor batters, as the less dense air allows for longer distances and more base hits and home runs.

Q: Can weather delays impact the outcome of a game?

A: Yes, weather delays can impact the outcome of a game, as they can disrupt the rhythm of the players and affect the conditions of the playing field.