SCCSD Unveils New Lights for High School Baseball Fields
The three Sioux City Community School District high schools will “Light the Night” at each school’s first home baseball game this season. “Light the Night” showcases the new baseball lights that were installed at each high school field this spring, allowing East High, North High, and West High to host night games for the first time this baseball season. These facility enhancements are made possible thanks to the generosity of many sponsors and grant funding.
In addition to the funds allocated by the Sioux City Community School District, additional dollars were secured by the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation to help make this project possible.
“It’s been great to see this project come to fruition, because this is really the culmination of school district funds, funds from local community business partners, such as Scheels All Sports, and an in-kind partnership with Mid-America Energy,” said Kari Kellen, executive director of the Sioux City Public Schools Foundation. “The installation of these lights really couldn’t have been accomplished without all the local parents and players who have gone out and done the legwork and shared that message.”
The final dollars for the project were secured with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund Grant in the amount of $192,000. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association that was established in 1999 through a $10 million commitment by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The mission of BTF is to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball throughout the world by funding programs, fields, coaches’ training, and the purchase of uniforms and equipment to encourage and maintain youth participation in the game.
“Baseball is an extracurricular sport that connects students, staff, and families through shared excitement and the love of an all American sport,” said Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District. “It’s a sport that develops students in a way that transcends the classroom, by teaching sportsmanship, dedication, and teamwork. So, it’s really rewarding to see this much-anticipated field enhancement actually light up!”
The community is invited to join the high school baseball teams at each team’s first home game. West High will host their first home game with the field lights on May 20. North High will host the following night on May 21. East High will round out the week with their games on May 23. All games begin at 5:30 pm. The “Light the Night” recognition ceremony will begin at approximately 7:15 with an honored guest throwing out the first pitch at each 7:30 varsity game.