Circus lights postpone Yankees game

The Tampa Yankees were forced to postpone their Florida State League game on Friday evening after blinking lights from temporary circus tents beyond the center field fence at Steinbrenner Field proved distracting for batters.

The Class A Advanced Yankees' game with the Clearwater Threshers will be made up Saturday as part of a doubleheader after the teams became concerned that the lights interfered with the batter's eye, which is generally kept darkened to provide clear visibility for batters and catchers.

The circus, Circo Vasquez, is being staged in the parking lots of nearby Raymond James Staduim, the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to the stadium's website, the circus is in town through Aug. 16.

The doubleheader is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, although the circus is scheduled to re-open again at 5:30 p.m. The large pink and blue tent beyond the outfield fence has both regular and flashing lights, which are illuminated for safety reasons due to the close proximity to an airport in Tampa.

"Our game is going to be postponed due to the lighting issues," a Yankees PA announcer told fans at Steinbrenner Field on Friday.

It wasn't a total loss for fans, though -- the team invited youngsters to run the bases.

Tonight's Threshers game at Tampa has been postponed. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

— Clearwater Threshers Baseball (@Threshers) August 7, 2015