Lighting a baseball / softball Field

Baseball or softball requires high levels of illumination to enable the action and ball flight to be followed. Most fast actions take place 

in the infield, which will require a significantly higher illuminance and over all uniformity than the larger outfield. Floodlighting must 

achieve good modelling of players and minimize shadowing, meanwhile control glare to players, officials and spectators. 

Baseball is unique in having nine fixed lines of sight within which pole locations should be avoided if glare from floodlighting is to be 

adequately controlled, because of the regulation infield layout of pitcher, hitter and three base-plate fielders. Poles are not permitted 

within a 90° zone directly behind the home plate, to ensure good viewing conditions for outfielders. These pole placement regulations 

generally dictate the use of either six or eight-pole floodlighting systems, with floodlights aimed to illuminate infield diamond, far 

infield/near outfield and deep outfield. The provision of at least bi-directional lighting into each zone is necessary if adequate 

modelling of players is to be achieved.