Professional Baseball/Softball Field Lighting Customization Solutions

I. Professional baseball TV broadcast standards:

The main difference between baseball field lighting and other sports lighting is that the relative position of the lamp poles and the field is very strict. There are 6 to 7 fixed camera positions commonly used on baseball fields. The relevant TV broadcast standards of the Major League Baseball do not clearly state the illumination value requirements. The implementation process is more based on horizontal illumination requirements. After meeting the horizontal illumination parameter requirements proposed by the league, the TV broadcast effect can usually be well guaranteed.

The illumination requirements of the Major League Baseball are:

1. Infield: horizontal illumination ≥2500lx

2. Outfield: horizontal illumination ≥2000lx

3. The color rendering index of the light source is ≥65

4. The color temperature of the light source is ≥3700K

II. Lighting illumination arrangement description

The lighting range of the baseball field is not only on the playing field, but also in the upper space of the field. High illumination is particularly required in the area between the pitcher and the catcher. In order to reduce the glare interference to the audience and increase the comfort of the visual environment, there should be an illuminated area of 7 m outside the boundary of the field. In order to reduce glare and increase the brightness of the space, the installation height of ordinary baseball field lighting fixtures should be greater than 28 m, and the installation height of lighting fixtures in baseball fields for major competitions should be greater than 35 m. Usually, 6 or 8 light poles are used to install lamps, and lamps can also be installed on the horseway of the awning above the audience seats. The lamp poles should be located outside the main visual range (20°) to reduce unnecessary glare. The location of the lighting poles of the baseball field is shown in Figure 1.

III. Layout instructions that require attention

Baseball has a standard infield size, while the outfield size/area varies. The field size includes a 4.6-meter (15-foot) foul area. The foul area is considered part of the playing area and should be considered in the lighting design (see Figure 2). Major and minor league fields extend the foul area into the spectator area and can gradually reduce the foul area toward the outfield. The lighting area also needs to include the bench area, player dugout, and warm-up area.

The main problems in the design and operation of existing baseball lighting systems are the following:

1. The light pole is not positioned correctly.

2. The illumination is not enough.

3. The illumination ratio (i.e. uniformity) of the infield and outfield lights does not meet the requirements.

4. Improper light tower location and improper lamp aiming point often lead to illumination ratios that do not meet the requirements, and unclean or poorly maintained lighting fixtures lead to insufficient illumination.