Dark in the park: Cleveland Guardians to start April 8 home opener following total solar eclipse

By: Tom Withers, The Associated Press Posted: 3:04 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Guardians will throw the first pitch at their 2024 home opener after the earth, moon and sun align.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Guardians will throw the first pitch at their 2024 home opener after the earth, moon and sun align.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/02/2024 (631 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Guardians will throw the first pitch at their 2024 home opener after the earth, moon and sun align.

Cleveland’s first game at Progressive Field against the Chicago White Sox will begin on April 8 at 5:10 p.m. — two hours following a total solar eclipse, an event that hasn’t happened in Northeast Ohio since 1806 and won’t again until 2444.

The team said Thursday that the ballpark’s gates will open at 2 p.m., giving fans a chance to observe the eclipse, which will begin at 1:59 p.m. and go for several hours with the peak coming at 3:13 p.m. and lasting four minutes.

FILE - The Cleveland Guardians grounds crew prepares the field for the home opener baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Cleveland. The Guardians will throw the first pitch at their 2024 home opener after the earth, moon and sun align. Cleveland's first game at Progressive Field against the Chicago White Sox will begin on April 8 at 5:10 p.m. — two hours following a total solar eclipse, an event that hasn't happened in Northeast Ohio since 1806 and won't again until 2444.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

The Guardians have typically played their opener at 4:10 p.m. but adjusted the start time after consulting with city officials who are expecting Cleveland’s downtown to be crowded with visitors for the rare eclipse.

The team is urging fans to plan accordingly and use public transit if possible.

Cleveland is one of few major cities in North American in the path of totality, a 100-mile track of the moon’s shadow.

Officials have estimated over 200,000 visitors will be coming to the area to witness the unique celestial show. Most schools will be closed for the day, and some residents in the city’s western suburbs are renting their homes to eclipse devotees from around the world.