The record rainfall that Chattanooga experienced in May impacted one Lookouts stadium a lot more than the other.
While the storied Double-A franchise has lost six dates so far this season at AT&T Field – three have been rolled into doubleheaders while the other three resulted in cancellations – the timetable for Erlanger Park opening for the 2026 Southern League season under the guidance of EMJ Construction remains on schedule, according to Chattanooga Lookouts president Rich Mozingo.
“Has the rain affected this baseball season? Absolutely it has. It’s been a rough go,” Mozingo said. “All of these rainouts have been tough for us, but as far as the timing on the new ballpark, they’ve got enough under cover right now that on rainy days they can shift resources and do some different things. They’re still on time and moving in the right direction.
“There have been mornings when they show up at 6 knowing that it’s going to be raining, and they will wait around until 8:30 or whenever until they know it’s safe to get started. They don’t miss a day, and they are on it all the time.”
According to the National Weather Service, the .26 inches of rain that Chattanooga received last Friday brought the total rainfall for May to 12.02 inches, breaking the record for the year’s fifth month that was set back in 1929. Local 3 meteorologist David Karnes said this past weekend that some parts of the Chattanooga area received 239% of the normal rainfall that May produces.