Antarctic

The Antarctic or Antarctica is the seventh continent, located around the Earth's south pole. It was only discovered in the 19th century and remains uninhabited, although there are some scientific research stations established around its perimeter. It was originally carved up as potential colonies by European powers, but since the adoption of the Antarctic Treaty by the United Nations in 1959, it has been governed as a common preserve of humanity used for peaceful purposes only.

Baseball, or rather softball, has regularly been played on the continent - only for recreation - mainly at the annual New Year's Eve tournament at the United States research facility at McMurdo Station. Even then, conditions are not ideal, as snow banks are still present and no grass grows, even at the height of summer, while high winds and occasional snow flurries make for interesting playing conditions. There is no need for artificial lights though, given that the days last 24 hours around that time. In 2022, Major League Baseball held an event there as part of its global "Play Ball Weekend" celebrations on June 10-12, although this fell during the Antarctic winter, so no actual games could be played.

On December 2, 2022, San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove set the record for the fastest pitch ever recorded on the continent - 86 mph. This was achieved in spite of his having to wear appropriate cold weather gear and was part of a charity trip in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation. The group which also included former teammate Sean Manaea and a number of athletes who have received support from the Foundation, had to apply for a permit under the Antarctic Treaty's Protocol on Environmental Protection in order to hold the event without causing any damage to the continent's fragile eco-system.

Further Reading

• AJ Cassavell: "Musgrove brings 'heat' to the coldest place on Earth: Padres ace throws fastball on Antarctica to raise funds for Challenged Athletes Foundation", mlb.com, December 5, 2022. [1]
• Brian Murphy: "This year, Play Ball Weekend goes to Antarctica: Researchers at the bottom of the globe pass the time with softball", mlb.com, June 8, 2022. [2]