Baseball Field Lighting: Footcandles, Pole Layout & Cost
Baseball lighting is defined by the infield/outfield split: the infield is the high-action zone and gets the most light and tightest uniformity, while the outfield is lit lower with a smooth transition. Get the pole positions and aiming right and fielders can track a fly ball out of the lights; get them wrong and the field is unplayable at night. This guide covers footcandle targets by level, pole layout and heights, aiming, and budget.
Footcandle targets by level
| Level | Infield | Outfield |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational / Little League | ~30 fc | ~20 fc |
| High school | ~50 fc | ~30 fc |
| College / professional | ~100 fc | ~70 fc |
These are maintained horizontal values; higher levels also specify vertical illuminance for broadcast. Design to the class of play you'll actually host.
Pole layout and heights
Layouts use recognized pole positions set back behind the baselines and along the outfield. Small diamonds use 4–6 poles; regulation and competition fields use 6–8 for uniformity and glare control. Mounting heights of 60–90 ft provide the aiming angles needed to light the field while keeping fixtures out of fielders' upward sightlines on fly balls.
Aiming and glare
The defining challenge is the fly ball — an outfielder looking up must not stare into a fixture. Aiming and pole placement keep sources outside normal upward sightlines, and full-cutoff optics limit glare and spill toward neighbors. More poles improve uniformity but add cost and EPA, so each pole's fixture count is checked against its wind-load rating.
Fixtures and budget
Duvon's Union Series (value, schools/municipal) and Liberty Series (high-output, multi-sport) cover recreational through competition diamonds, with Vanguard for broadcast. Budgets run from ~$40,000 for a small diamond to $150,000–$400,000+ for high-school and collegiate fields, with poles and foundations the largest line item. A photometric study fixes the exact fixture count and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many footcandles does a baseball field need?
HS ~50/30 fc (infield/outfield); recreational ~30/20; college/pro up to 100/70, per IES RP-6.
How many poles?
4–6 for small diamonds, 6–8 for regulation/competition, at 60–90 ft.
How much does it cost?
~$40k small to $150k–$400k+ for HS/college; poles and foundations dominate.
What replaces 1500W metal halide?
About a 500–600W LED — 2.5:1 to 3:1 — at 50–65% less energy.
Request a free baseball field layout and budget at duvonlighting.com/free-quote.