Under the Lights-A History of Lighting in Baseball

Many of us are in the belief that night baseball is a rather recent innovation, but you may be surprised to know that the first night game was played on September 2, 1880, between Jordan Marsh and Co. and R.H. White and Company,two Boston department stores. The two teams battled to a 16-16 tie an Nantasket Bay, near Hull, Mass. It was part of a series of lighting displays organized by the Northern Electric Company of Boston to prove the far-reaching value of the incandescent lamp, invented by Thomas Edison a year before.

There were more night games played before the turn of the century, but few believed that night baseball would ever be more than a novelty. Sportswriter O.P. Caylor wrote in 1893:

"Should the time ever come when by some system of illumination baseball could be played as well at night as in the daytime the possibilities of the games earnings could hardly be estimated. But the chances are that the time will never come when baseball at night is possible. If anyone does discover a system he will take ranks with the millionaires of the land."

Caylor's last remarks are a little off though. George Cahill, the man who found a way to economically stage night games, never made anything near a million dollars and is largely forgotten today.

By 1910 Cahill had devised a portable lighting system good enough to get the permission of Charles Comiskey to stage a game at the new White Sox Park. 20,000 fans came out to watch the game as it was illuminated by 137,000-candlepower arc lights. The fans seemed to enjoy it but Comiskey and other owners saw no value in night baseball and it would be another 25 years before Cahill realized his dream.

The first major league night game was not played until May 24, 1935. Played at Crosley Field, Paul Derringer of the Reds beat the Phillies 2-1. President Roosevelt turned on the lights by pressing a button in the White House. The first batter being Phillies second baseman Lou Chiozza. 20,442 fans came to witness the game game, including the man who had the biggest part in making it possible, George Cahill.

Independence, Kansas of the Class C Western Association played the first pro night game on April 28, 1930 losing 13-3 to Muskogee. By 1935 many minor league teams had begun playing night games.

First Night All-Star Game
July 13, 1943, at Shibe Park. The game was won by the American League 5-3. However, the last part of the 1942 game at the Polo Grounds, was played under the lights when it started getting dark after a long rain delay.

First Night World Series Game
October 13, 1971, at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates beat the Orioles 4-3 to even the series at two games a piece.