Over the past six years, both major and minor league baseball stadiums have been getting lighting upgrades to meet newer MLB lighting standards that also apply to the minor league parks (MiLB). To-date, more than 50 Minor League stadiums, and 16 Major League ballparks have upgraded to LED lighting that meets the MLB lighting standards.
There is no maximum lighting level requirement. During a day game, on a bright day, the light level on the field can measure between 7,000 to 10,000 foot-candles. For night games, the level at most major league parks is between 300 to 400 foot-candles.
The new stadium lighting increases light levels, improves uniformity, minimizes glare, improves visibility for fans and players to track the baseball, allows for light-to-sound synchronization, as well as RGB-U color-changing light shows to celebrate big moments in the games.
Most of the stadiums are installing the Musco Show-Light Pro system as part of the Musco Total Light Control System. Each luminaire is 750W and produces more light than a 1,500W metal halide legacy light. These systems can cost more than $500,000 to purchase and another $250,000 to install (these figures are from the recent Albuquerque Isotopes Stadium lighting upgrade).
The minor league Wisconsin Timber Rattler stadium upgraded to LED lights that average 100 foot-candles for the infield and average 70 foot-candles for the outfield. The new lights also reduce light pollution by directing the light to the field and turning on almost instantly, compared to a 15-20 minute delay for legacy metal halide lighting.
More information is available here, here, and here.
Image: milb.com/Albuquerque, Minor League Albuquerque Isotopes Park
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