Baseball field lighting is important for players and fans. Games can be held either day and night. Most of the tournaments are, however, interesting to watch at night. Hence, the stadium should have excellent lighting. Many people have the notion that baseball field lighting is highly priced. Yes, it can be quite expensive but you don’t have to break the bank. When you do a proper cost-benefit analysis you will not incur extra expenses. If you don’t have the right information about effective lighting, you will spend a lot of money.
Illuminating a field is important for various reasons. For baseball players, they need clear visibility to play well. This guarantees their safety. The last thing you want in the field is players hitting each other with bats. A lot of injuries will occur with dim lights. Spectators also need to see their playing teams. Otherwise, how would they cheer their players? They can also feel secure when they sit to enjoy the game. In case of any incidence, the authorities can know where the commotion is coming from.
The difference between softball and baseball lies in the bats. Baseball bats are heavier and longer than a softball. Baseballs are also white with red stitches and a 9-inch circumference. Softballs, on the other hand, are larger with a 12-inch circumference. They ate yellow in color and soft. Pitching is distinct in that, baseball elevates the ball 60 feet away from the plate. Softball pitches the ball on a flat circle 43 feet away from the plate.
Baseball Field Lighting Expenditure
Buying LED lights for a common field will cost about $20,000 to $60,000. The maintenance expenses with LED are minimal because they are legit. MLB will make you use a large amount of $90,000 to $170,000. The prices have skyrocketed due to the high demand for secure lights.
In China, the price of a lamp for a standard baseball diamond will be about $35,000 to $95,000. In the USA the same lamp will be at a price of $140,000 to $250,000. LED lights need a budget of $700 a month. The metal halide lights require about $1400 a month to run it.
To install the lights, different companies offer varied prices. Generally, you can expect about 30% to 80% of the buying price.
Factors that affect the lighting cost of baseball field
The cost of setting up an adequate lighting system depends on certain factors. You can either incur extra charges or lower prices depending on the following.
1. The origin of the manufacturer
Lighting companies can be from China, USA, Canada and the U.K. they have different prices when it comes to selling the equipment. China has the cheapest prices when you buy them in wholesale. Due to the digital world, you can order the goods online. Some of the best industries have their warehouses in the US and Europe for instance, Made In China Company. The products are also of good quality.
Canada, USA, and UK have lighting materials that are highly priced. It is really expensive for purchasing them in the three countries. This is because of the factory rent, labor, and material prices. You will end up spending more money on getting the baseball field ready. Remember that installation costs await you also.
2. Size of the field
When buying the materials, have this question at the back of your mind. What are the dimensions of the softball field? That way you will know what to budget for. You will, therefore, need a big budget if you have a large area of the field. This is because a big field needs maximum light so as to get proper illumination. More lights are needed to get the whole field lighted up sufficiently.
A small-sized field will be lowly-priced. It will require a small budget. The area to get light does not require a lot of concentration. Lights should however not be glaring because it affects the sight. Uniformity is thus, required.
3. Height of the mast pole
A softball field with a high mast pole will require a high amount of lights. This might be approximately 15 to 50 meters high. When the pole is high, light does not reach the ground faster. It is lost in the air before it touches the surface. Hence the price of buying and installing the lights will certainly over the roof. Installing them is a challenge too. Flickering might occur due to the height. The amount paid will be high.
A baseball diamond with a short pole mast will be economical. First, the charges you will spend on purchases are quite low. Less power is needed for the lights. Since the installation will be fast, you will also be charged less.
4. Field Competitions
If the field is being used for training, you don’t require as much light. Normal training means there are players only in the field. Therefore, you might illuminate a small area. The expenditure will be low. The lux level needed would be 300. To light up the baseball diamond would be cheaper due to low standards.
For the Major League Baseball or MLB, there would be a lot of expectations. The lux requirement would be from 1000 to 2500 or more. High power is a condition with high league tournaments. This means that there are many spectators and players who deserve good lights. Hence you have to invest a good amount of money for lighting. The cost would be high since excellent lights are the basis of being a host. The requirements and conditions should match a high-class softball field.
5. Type of lights
There are different types of light for a baseball diamond. HPS floodlights, metal halide or halogen kinds are cheap to purchase. LED lights are more expensive than all of them. At first, you will have a totally different idea about the lights. In your mind when you get the cheap ones you will feel great. You will have saved a lot of money. However, you will be disappointed in the end.
An example is that halogen of 500 watts cost $30 to $70. LED lights with 500 watts are priced at $500 to $800. The field requires 10 halogen lights which are 500 watts each to be on par with one LED light. Halogen lights have to be replaced every now and then which is costly. They lose brightness within a short span. LED lights are more durable. Hence, LED is the best to buy. Even though you will pay dearly, you will have stable lights for a long time.
How to Save the Money
High revenue will hurt your finances. It is crucial to know how to slash the expenses down. You can have a pocket-friendly lighting system that lasts long. Here are tips on how to get a reasonably priced lighting for your field.
1. Consider highly efficient lighting
First, buy the energy efficient lights. For this reason, LED lights will be the best choice. You will save a whole $500 a month as compared to metal halide lights. LED conserve up to 80% of the energy. You will pay low bills. LED lights also come with sensors. This means that when the lights are not needed, they can be turned off.
2. Proper installation
Pointing the lights in the right direction is also important. It saves money and time. Installation can be quite tricky depending on the field design. The installers should have a proper way of placing the lights. This will include lights that do not glare. When lights are not properly installed, a lot is wasted. They get lost and do not reach the intended target. Well installed lights serve the purpose of illuminating the field. Even distribution is paramount at all times.
3. Purchase lights that are sturdy
Lights that are long-lasting are economical. You don’t have to buy them after a short time. LED lights will give you a great service for a number of years. Buying the halogen types will mean that you have to replace them regularly.
4. Order the material from China and its warehouses
This is a great move because China offers budget-friendly goods. You can take advantage of their warehouses in different locations. Shipping them will not cost as much as buying hem in the US, Canada or UK. Shipping fee is also affordable. You can get in touch with the companies online and organize for deliveries.
Conclusion
Lighting a baseball field is now convenient. The right place to get equipment is China. The LED lights will save you a lot of money. It is the best option to try out. It will cost you high but later, you will appreciate the work it does.
As the baseball game continues, fans can see their team well. The broadcasters can also do their job without any difficulty. Lighting comes with a price but it is of benefit. The people will be secure and also their property.
Insufficient lighting has caused a lot of damages in baseball tournaments. Hence it is a wise decision to consider LED lights. They don’t need high maintenance and they light up the place with great color.
If you would like to get the best price of baseball stadium lighting, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer versatile sports lighting solution for any baseball fields.