News and Announcements
The Lights Shine on Petaluma American Little Leaguers
After years of planning and discussion, the Petaluma American Little League has a lighted field allowing its baseball teams to play night games.
“Opening Night” to dedicate the new lights will be Saturday, April 20, with a ceremony scheduled at 7 p.m. followed by the first night game at 7:30 p.m.
The lighting structures, which include two 70-foot light poles for the outfield and two 60-foot poles for the infield, are the first for a Little League field in Petaluma and only the second installed in Sonoma County. The lights cost about $120,000, which the league raised through donations and fundraising events over several years.
Petaluma American League officials said the league has been working on erecting the lights at the Major’s Field for about seven years. Mike Larson, a volunteer who coaches a team and serves on the Board of Directors, said the Board decided last year to make the commitment to install the lights for the 2014 season.
“We met with city administrators last summer and they were just as enthusiastic as we were,” Larson said. “The Assistant City Manager Scott Brudhan and Recreation Supervisor Don Phoenix have been great, guiding us through the approval process and working closely with neighboring homeowners and businesses to get their support.”
He said the league also received considerable backing from the mayor, city council and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Once the city granted the permits, the league reached out to its players’ parents and also sought help from local businesses. The response was no less than phenomenal.
“There are so many individuals and businesses that stepped up to make our dream come true,” said Fred Hilliard, the League President. “The commitment to Little League and dedication to youth in our community is truly impressive.”
Hilliard cited a few individuals and businesses in particular to include:
• Mike Brown Electric Co. (especially Jim Brown and Joe Craine)
• Shamrock Materials
• PG&E
• Ad-Lite Crane Service
• The Law Offices of Andrew Kern
• Eugene Ceccotti, Don Powell, Jose Diaz and Jorge Villarreal
“The teams are all excited to start playing under the lights,” Hilliard said. “We feel the night games will be a great draw and bring the community together.”
The league is donating the lights back to the city, which will be responsible for the utility charges, just as it is with the neighboring soccer field at Lucchesi Park.
For more information and details on the new lights, please contact League President Fred Hilliard at 415-317-3301,or League Project Manager Mike Larson at 707-478-4627.
2014 Junior Schedules are here! (Click a link below for the desired schedule)
