The MSU baseball team’s game against Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne was canceled Wednesday.
Weather was the cause of cancellation, but no rain fell on Wednesday to affect the 3 p.m. start time. MSU has no plans to make up the game.
Spartan manager Ted Mahan said he made the decision at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday because of frigid temperatures.
“Well, there were a number of reasons and they all work in our favor I think,” Mahan said. “First of all, it’s cold and we don’t want to risk injury. We’re also a little banged up from this past weekend.”
According to the Grand Rapids National Weather Service, the temperature in East Lansing was 34 degrees with 14 mph winds at 8 a.m. At game time, the temperature was 41 degrees.
The Spartans (17-5 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) did have a short practice Wednesday at Kobs Field.
Senior center fielder Chris McCuiston said canceling the nonconference contest may not have been the worst thing.
“It’s tough to play in cold weather,” McCuiston said. “I tell you what, we came out and got some good (batting practice) in today and some good field work in for the position players.
“It doesn’t help or hurt us. Either way, it’s not beneficial for us to play in this weather just because we don’t want to get anybody hurt for this weekend.”
Junior right fielder Bob Malek said he wanted to play, but agrees with Mahan’s decision.
“I would have loved to play today and I was ready to play if we had to,” Malek said. “I always would rather play a game rather than practice, but it’s kinda bad to hit today and it’s cold out.”
Mahan said he always plans ahead when it comes to scheduling and prepares for traditionally inconsistent Michigan weather. He added he was surprised to find out false information about IPFW’s division status.
“We had scheduled 57 games and the NCAA only allows 56, so we can afford to lose a game and they’re a Division II team, unbeknownst to us,” Mahan said. “They told me they were a Division I team.
“If we play too many Division IIs, we’re penalized. So if we’re to lose a game, it would logically be a Division II game.”
