By Donald Wittkowski
The Chicago Cubs had to wait 74 years before they finally played their first night game at Wrigley Field. By that standard, Sea Isle City’s Little Leaguers are way ahead of the game.
After discussing the project for a few years, the city is getting ready to install outdoor lights for the Little League baseball field at the Dealy Field athletic and recreation complex on Central Avenue between 59th and 63rd streets.
When the 2017 baseball season begins, the Little Leaguers will be able to play night games for the very first time, said City Business Administrator George Savastano.
City Council awarded a $233,000 contract Tuesday to Delta Line Construction Co. of Egg Harbor Township to install the lights. The project is expected to begin in February and should be completed by March, Savastano said.
Dealy Field, the city’s main recreation and athletic complex, includes the Little League baseball field, a softball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer field, hockey rink, skateboard park and children’s playground.
Already, the hockey rink, basketball courts and tennis courts have lights. Savastano said the lighting project for the Little League continues the city’s efforts to make Dealy Field a family-friendly spot.
“This provides the ability not only for Little Leaguers, but others as well, to enjoy the facility in the evening hours, safely,” he said.
City Council agreed to include the Little League lighting project in the city’s capital plan. Savastano said the main advocate for the project was Councilman Frank Edwardi, who coached the Sea Isle White Sox to the 2015 Cape May County Little League Championship.
