Lighting standards for amateur/ high school level baseball field:
Usually the average constant or target light levels of 50 foot horizontal candles for infield and 30 horizontal foot candles for outfield will qualify Semi-Professional Little League/High School/Club requirements, for recreation/training 30 foot candles and less will be required.
1foot candle = 10.76 lux ≈ 10lux.
2.Uniformity
Maximum to Minimum Uniformity Ratio should be 2:1 infield and 2.5:1 outfield, and the change in the quantity of horizontal footcandles rate should not over than 10 percent per 10 feet for the entire field.
3.Spill and Glare control
The spill and glare values are required to meet local ordinances. When the baseball field is built near residential or commercial properties, the spill and light trespass may be thrown onto nearby facilities. Attention should be given during the lighting design to minimize this issue.
The lighting fixture’s manufacturer can assist in evaluating this issue and provide drawings that shows maximum footcandles and at any points of concern on surrounding properties. It’s essential to investigate the vendor’s reputation, technical level, and experiences in working with related projects handling the glare and spill issues. Usually an LED light source provides lesser light spill, but the glare from the fixture may end up gets worse than metal halide ones if the optics are not well designed, get the IES files of the fixture you’re considering and check out the optics to make sure it doesn’t creates too much glare, sometimes a cutoff light shield/visor or special optic lens type may be needed.
Usually the luminaries vertical aiming angle should be at least 25 degree to the infield, 21 degrees minimum to the outfield.
In the game the ball could be not visible from direct glare from luminaries. The proper pole location and fixture ensure necessary visibility for both players and spectators, so the light pole should stay out of the 20 degrees glare zone as shown above.
Light poles set up
At least 4 poles is needed for fields with radius between 200- 250 feet, 6 poles is recommended for radius larger than 250 feet and even 8 poles for radius reached 320 feet.
Mounting heights should be between 50-80 feet, for glare control higher fixture mounting heights may be required. Also, if obstructions or common poles for multiple fields require poles to be set back farther from the field, then taller poles may be required.
300'field shown
During the playing the players and spectators could lose sight of the ball when the ball went up high in the dark.
So be aware of the non-illuminated dark zone, choose the right luminaries with appropriate optics that adds beams to cover the dark zone, or add extra luminaries at lower position that aims upwards.
Security and Parking Lot Lighting
Make sure adequate lighting around the baseball field to prevent unsafe and criminal actions. The parking areas or other nearby pathways should be illuminated to the minimum levels required to meet local codes and the recommendations found in the IESNA publications RP-20-14 “Lighting for Parking Facilities.”
To know more about baseball field lighting design or get help please feel free to contact me: info@aikoled.com
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