CLEVELAND — We are just over two months away from the April 8 home opener for the Cleveland Guardians, which also just happens to occur on the same day as the total solar eclipse moves through the area.
In recent years, the Guardians have had a 4:10 p.m. first pitch for their home opener. However, with Cleveland set to be in the path of totality an hour earlier, the Guardians are planning to adjust their start time.
On Wednesday, Guardians officials told 3News that the home opener against the White Sox will not start any earlier than 5:10 p.m.
There are several factors for the Guardians to look at when figuring out a start time.
First, here is how NASA has outlined the eclipse timeframe in Cleveland for April 8:
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:59 p.m.
- Totality begins: 3:13 p.m.
- Maximum totality: 3:15 p.m.
- Totality ends: 3:17 p.m.
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:29 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that officials are estimating 200,000 visitors will descend upon the city of Cleveland strictly to view the eclipse, with 50,000 expected to attend an event at the Great Lakes Science Center, where NASA is setting up one of three national broadcasting hubs. Great American Eclipse estimates that Ohio will see anywhere from 139,000 to 556,000 visitors.
So with those factors in mind, the Guardians have decided to start at least two hours after totality ends. The team says a decision on an official game time could come in the next few days.