Baseball and Softball Lighting Requirements

When it comes to floodlights for baseball and softball, several requirements need to be considered which are dependent on the level of competition and the related standards for lighting levels and lighting uniformity.

Key Australian standards which apply to sports lighting include:

• AS 2560.1:2018 – Sports Lighting Part 1: General Principles
• AS 2560.2:2021 – Sports Lighting Part 2: Specific Applications
• AS 4282:2019 – Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting

The following table provides an overview of the floodlighting requirements for baseball and softball.

 

Baseball and Softball Lighting Requirements – AS 2560.2.2

Category	Average horizontal maintained illuminance	Minimum horizontal uniformity		Minimum vertical maintained uniformity	Maximum glare rating
	Eh lux	U1Min/Avg	U2Min/Max	Evmin	GR
Training
Infield	50	0.5	0.3	N/A
Outfield	100	0.3	0.2	N/A
Softball
Recreational club/local comp: Infield	300	0.6	0.4	100	50
Recreational club/local comp: Outfield	200	0.5	0.3	60	50
Baseball
Club/local comp: Infield	500	0.6	0.4	150	50
Club/local comp: Outfield	300	0.5	0.3	100	50
State/major comp: Infield	750	0.7	0.5	300	50
State/major comp: Outfield	300	0.5	0.3	100	50
National: Infield	1500	0.8	0.7	500	45
National: Outfield	1000	0.6	0.5	300	50

(The table above provides only some of the key values set out in the standards. For more detailed information, relevant guidance documents and links are available below in the Useful Links section.)Baseball and softball are unique concerning their lighting requirements in comparison to other sports. Consideration is taken for the minimum vertical maintained illuminance at the points shown in the image below which should be used in conjunction with the table above.

New Baseball/Softball Lighting Installation?

For a new lighting system to be used for baseball or softball, further standards and guidelines are to be considered and possible pole locations are advised in AS 2560.2 figure 2.2.4. The height of the poles will depend on the size of the field and clause 1.6 in AS 2560.2 is used to ensure glare to players and spectators will be reduced by adopting mounting heights above the minimum values recommended.

What do these terms mean?

• Illuminance – the term used to describe the level of light on a surface in lumens/m² or lux.
• Maintained illuminance – is the term used to describe the average illuminance on a reference surface when maintenance must be carried out.
• Eh lux – Average maintained illuminance.
• U1Min/Avg – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the average.
• U2Min/Max – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the highest value.

As well as the information provided by the national standards, our team of lighting experts are available to answer any queries you may have about floodlights and to support you through the planning and design stages of your sports lighting project. If you would like to discuss the floodlight requirements for baseball or softball with one of our experienced team members, please contact us.

 

Useful Links:
NSW Office of Sport – Outdoor Design
Queensland Government Sports Field Lighting – Get in the Game

 

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page has been collated from various sources, including those provided above in Useful Links. This information may be subject to change at any time by sports governing bodies and standards agencies.