Progressive Field will debut new Eaton's Ephesus LED lights Tuesday for the Indians' home opener as part of the team's "effort to be environmentally friendly," according to Craig Webb of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. The lights are 20-30% "brighter than the old lights," and the new bulbs are "expected to trim the cost of lighting the field" by around 70%. Indians Senior Dir of Communications Curtis Danburg said that Double-A Eastern League Akron Rubber Ducks players testing the lights yesterday could "simulate game conditions under the 456 new 1,000-watt LED lights." The Indians yesterday also "rolled out a menu of new food, drink and amenity offerings." In addition to free WiFi throughout the park, the team also "announced the Market Garden Brewery ... will get its own stand in the park" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 4/6).
INSTANT GRATIFICATION: In Pittsburgh, Will Greer noted the Pirates are installing new LED stadium lights at PNC Park, an "upgrade that will reduce glare and provide more uniform on-field illumination, as well as decrease the Pirates’ long-term operational costs." Pirates President Frank Coonelly said that the lights can be "dimmed and turned on and off 'instantaneously,' unlike old lights, which took at least 15 minutes to warm up." Coonelly: "We’ll go slowly in that at first because we are a traditional sport. But there’ll be some enhancements to the in-game entertainment that can be coordinated with the sports lighting package." PNC Park will be "one of five" MLB ballparks "lit by Eaton's Ephesus LED lights this season" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/5).
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW: In Baltimore, Jon Meoli noted Orioles manager Buck Showalter is "taking a wait-and-see approach" to how the new LED lights from Iowa-based Musco Sports Lighting above Camden Yards "might influence the games there," with last night being the first game played under the bright new fixtures. When the Orioles announced the changes this winter, the club said that it "would cut energy use" by 54% going from the fluorescent lights of old to LED. The other main benefit is on TV, where the team-owned MASN broadcasts will "benefit from the bright new atmosphere" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 4/5).
