Musco Lighting - Right Is Better Than Bright

Right Is Better Than Bright
Musco makes it right, resolves neighborhood concerns

Musco’s light control technology increased useable light on the playing surface while decreasing off-site spill light.

Project Summary

Mankato East High School Baseball Mankato, Minnesota
Objective
Achieve specified results not accomplished by original lighting supplier
Requirements
•	Control spill light and glare to satisfy neighbors’ concerns
•	Provide specified playable light by increasing light levels and achieve better uniformity
Lighting Systems
•	60 Sportscluster-2® fixtures with Level-8™ glare control option
•	Total Light Control™ option for extreme light control
Results
•	37% reduction in off-site spill light
•	32% increase in light levels in the infield
•	23% increase in light levels in the outfield
•	Uniformity improved from 18:1 to 3:1 in the outfield
•	Achieved requirements without adding fixtures

Faced with the need to extend available hours of playing time, the Mankato Area Baseball Association was excited to be able to put a lighting system in at the Mankato East High School field. Their excitement was short-lived.

When the original lighting supplier didn’t achieve the desired results, the association called on Musco to resolve the problems.

Original supplier doesn’t meet requirements for playability or glare control
The association had specified two basic requirements: provide superior playability on the field, and avoid glare for the nearby residences. The lights they purchased failed to achieve either.

Light quantity on the field was 20% lower than specified. More importantly, there were significant bright and dark spots. Design criteria called for uniformities of 2:1 on the infield and 3:1 on the outfield. Uniformities were measured as high as 18:1 in the outfield.

Of more immediate concern was the extreme glare neighbors were experiencing. With some homes as close as 200 feet from the outfield fence, the glare from the lights was not acceptable. In fact, city officials received so many complaints they suspended use of the lights until the problems could be resolved.

“We had problems . . . within a week after they put the lights in,” said Lee Schweim, a member of the baseball association. “I thought all lights were supposed be like that . . . We started looking at different systems and realized it shouldn’t be that way,” he admitted.

“With five layers of people we contacted to, we couldn’t get any of them to take responsibility,” Schweim said. Faced with a brand new lighting system they couldn’t use, Schweim called Musco to help.

Musco light control technology resolves problems — achieves specified results
Working with the owner of the field — Mankato School District — and the baseball association, Musco provided a proposal which offered a solution to their dilemma.

Using the same poles and electrical system, Musco replaced the existing 60 fixtures with their patented reflectors designed to redirect wasted, off-site spill and glare back onto the field. This resulted in less glare and better playability — using the same number of fixtures.

BEFORE: Original lighting supplier.

AFTER: Musco’s Sportscluster-2® with Level-8™ option for spill and glare control.

Musco’s equipment provided the specified on-field light quantity — 20% more than the original equipment. It also provided uniformity well within the specified and needed range.

Even more significant was the result for the neighbors. “It’s a hundred percent better,” said Ken Stepan, whose property borders the field. “When we were driving home one night, we wondered if the lights were even on. We couldn’t tell even from a half mile away,” he continued.

“The neighbors have said it’s a dramatic improvement,” said Schweim. “And Musco did a tremendous job of straightening it out.” •