Baseball Field Lighting – LED Solutions | Access Fixtures

Baseball is an iconic pastime — both fun to play and fun to watch. It is enjoyed by young and old at all different levels of competition and is beloved by millions and millions of people across the world. The construction of a baseball field is often a massive undertaking and requires careful planning in order to meet appropriate standards and dimensions. Lighting a baseball field is no different and requires custom solutions based on the size, location, and level of play on the field. Access Fixtures takes simplifying lighting solutions seriously. Lighting specialists are able to use photometric analyses and experiential knowledge to craft the perfect baseball field lighting solutions for any baseball field. Access Fixtures works with end users, property managers, corporations and businesses, municipalities, and departments to deliver the highest quality baseball field lighting that money can buy.

Advancements in lighting technology, particularly with LED systems, have significantly improved visibility during night games, enhancing the overall experience for players and audiences alike.

A World Series game will not require the same amount of footcandles as a Little League game — that much is obvious. Determining how many lumens are needed is crucial for ensuring adequate lighting. But cutting expenses can sometimes result in inadequate or just plain bad lighting. Sports involving smaller and faster-moving objects must be illuminated more intensely than sports such as soccer with larger objects that generally stay closer to the ground. Due to this, baseball usually requires higher levels of overall lighting than other sports regardless of level of play.

In terms of field sizing, baseball is unique in that there are standard sizes, but this depends entirely on the level of play. A little league baseball field will have very specific dimensions and these dimensions increase in size all the way up to college-level and higher. Field size determines how much light will be required, how many fixtures to use, and where to place the baseball field lighting poles. Another factor that can determine pole placement is whether or not there are seats or bleachers. All of this will need to be taken into account before Access Fixtures can create an appropriate lighting solution for a baseball field.

The chart below reflects common standards of lighting for baseball fields of different play tiers.

These guidelines have been gathered from several reliable online and print sources. Footcandle recommendations do vary slightly between sources, but this chart reflects the average of or the most commonly utilized guidelines in baseball lighting.

As you can see, infield footcandle levels must always be greater than outfield footcandle levels. This is because most of the direct action and gameplay of baseball takes place between the batter and the pitcher, where visibility must be paramount. Even for recreational-level baseball fields, this lighting regulation must be taken into account.

Max/min ratios are also dependent on the part of the field. A max/min ratio is the average between the maximum amount of horizontal footcandles on a surface and the lowest amount of horizontal footcandles on that same surface. The purpose of the max/min ratio in sports lighting is to determine if there are hot spots, areas of glare, or areas of shadow on a field or surface. A max/min ratio of under 3 is generally considered to be even lighting, whereas a max/min ratio over 3 can indicate spotty areas of light. In baseball lighting, a max/min ratio of 2 is considered acceptable within the infield at any level of play and 2.5 is considered ideal for the outfield.

Designing an Effective LED Baseball Field Lighting System

Designing an effective LED baseball field lighting system requires careful consideration of several factors, including:

• Lighting Requirements: Determine the amount of light needed to provide adequate illumination for the field, taking into account the level of play, field size, and type of lighting system used.
• Pole Height and Placement: The height and placement of light poles are crucial to ensure even lighting distribution and minimize glare. Properly positioned poles help achieve uniform lighting across the field.
• Fixture Selection: Choose the right LED light fixtures to meet the specific needs of the field, including wattage, lumen output, and beam angle. Selecting the appropriate fixtures ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency.
• Control Systems: Install control systems to manage lighting levels, including dimming and scheduling capabilities. These systems allow for flexibility and can help reduce energy consumption by adjusting lighting based on usage.