As All-Star week has “spilled out of the stadium,” heat mitigation at the surrounding events has been “a major focus” for both the Rangers and MLB, according to Evan Grant of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Grant noted while it is an MLB event, Rangers officials “made clear their concerns” about potential impact on fans attending All-Star Village, MLB’s “sprawling fan experience.” Rangers EVP/Public Affairs John Blake said, “It was a big point of discussion.” MLB VP/Global Events Jeremiah Yolkut said, “We are going to make sure our fans are protected as possible and have as many resources as possible to mitigate these extreme conditions.” Grant wrote the “biggest challenge” is that much of the All-Star Village will be housed at Choctaw Stadium -- formerly The Ballpark in Arlington -- which “remains unroofed.” Whatever indoor facilities can be used at the stadium, "will be." But many of the activations “will take place on the playing field, which is now hotter with an artificial turf surface.” Grant reported MLB plans to combat this by having “35 hydration stations and sunscreen available around the Village, 20 misting stations and 12 shade structures.” The “Rookie League” field, “aimed at kids eight and under, will be tented and climate-controlled with portable air conditioning.” MLB has also “put together a temperature gauge plan,” under which “outdoor activities could be limited.” MLB officials, however, “did not reveal exactly how that will be calculated” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/7). In Dallas, the forecast for All-Star Week calls for temperatures to "soar into the upper-90s" with highs reaching 96 degrees on Friday and Saturday and 97 degrees on Sunday with high humidity expected all weekend (KXAS-NBC, 7/8).
