The inaugural MLB Speedway Classic promised to be a spectacle like no other. It is blending the roar of the diamond with the iconic backdrop of Bristol Motor Speedway. Fans flocked to the venue for a day packed with pregame excitement, from batting practice under the grandstands to ceremonial first pitches by Braves legend Chipper Jones and Reds icon Johnny Bench. So yes, the energy was electric, until the skies had their own plans.

A steady downpour swept across the speedway, drenching the field and forcing an unexpected delay to the highly anticipated matchup. And as rain continued to fall through batting practice and into the scheduled first pitch, the looming question hung over the historic night. If the weather refuses to clear, will the first-ever MLB Speedway Classic face the ultimate disappointment, a cancellation?

Well, as per the latest reports, the game is delayed, but still waiting to start once the downpour stops. But what if it continues?

For the unversed, MLB and Bristol Motor Speedway already have a backup plan in case bad weather interferes with the MLB Speedway Classic on Aug. 2. Reportedly, if the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds can’t play as scheduled, the game will be pushed to Aug. 3, which works out perfectly since both teams have the day off.

But wait, we think some good news is coming….

The latest update from MLB shows tarps are getting removed from the field, indicating a change in weather. It is also updated that the first pitch will be at 9:40 ET. So yes, the game is on! The silver lining here is that most of the Speedway Classic field, even the infield, is synthetic turf. So, it handles rain pretty well. Earlier today, when showers rolled through, the infield stayed protected under a tarp.

And even with any delay or postponement, the fans with tickets for today’s game won’t have to worry. They’ll be able to use the same tickets if the game is moved to tomorrow. And everything will run as usual. Well, this is a game fans won’t want to miss, either. MLB announced on July 28 that over 85,000 tickets had been sold, which would set the record for the largest crowd ever at a regular-season MLB game. It’s a historic matchup—weather permitting.

But if there’s any real concern, it’s about the pitchers and the mound. And that’s what the organizers hope — that everything is safe for the players, especially when it comes to throwing the ball. Even if the game gets on tomorrow! After all, this inaugural game holds a special place.

The Speedway Classic also got a social touch

Well, MLB’s Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway is surely making headlines as a one-of-a-kind entertainment spectacle. But MLB’s vision goes well beyond putting on a show for 85,000 fans. Yes, the league is using this historic event to highlight a commitment to community impact and long-term development in the sport!

You already know how Bristol Motor Speedway has been completely transformed into an MLB-caliber ballpark with the help of 124,000 square feet of Diamond Series AstroTurf. What you might not know is that this is the same playing surface used at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. But once the Braves and Reds wrap up the first MLB game ever played in Tennessee, that field won’t simply disappear. Instead, it will become part of a larger story.

MLB and Bristol Motor Speedway announced that the entire turf will be donated to East Tennessee State University. It will be installed at Thomas Stadium, giving the ETSU baseball program a professional-grade surface to develop future athletes. And this initiative is part of MLB Together. That’s the league’s social responsibility program aimed at supporting communities, growing the game, and promoting holistic development both on and off the field!

So, in other words, the Speedway Classic is more than a record-breaking event. It’s a reminder that MLB’s mission includes investing in the next generation of players and leaving a lasting impact on the communities that host its historic moments.