Hammons Field light improvements to roll out on Fourth of July

Last edited 1:57 p.m., June 28, 2023 [Editor's note: The project cost and company installing the lights has been added.]

New LED stadium lights are set to debut at Hammons Field during the Springfield Cardinals game on the Fourth of July.

Officials said in a news release the lights represent the second-largest stadium improvement project to date, behind a new video board that was installed in 2016. The LED lights are part of improvements the city of Springfield agreed to make when buying the stadium earlier this year.

"The LED lights are not only a critical upgrade in continuing to bring our ballpark into compliance with Major League Baseball’s facility standards, but they will also greatly enhance the fan experience during games and events and allow us to really have some fun from an entertainment standpoint," Springfield Cardinals General Manager Dan Reiter said in the release.

The LED installation would allow the Cardinals to show flashing lights after home runs and implement multicolored light displays for game and promotion enhancements, officials say.

The city became the owner of Hammons Field in March, according to past reporting. Per the agreement, the city is paying $6.5 million for the ballpark and $5.5 million for two nearby parking lots, with $4 million slated for upgrades and repairs to the park.

The LED installation comes out of the $4 million fund. City spokesperson Cora Scott said the cost is $800,000, and Musco Sports Lighting is installing the LED lights.