East Greenwich has had a Little League program since 1952, but has never had a lighted ball field, until this year. A lighting system for Cragan field has been delivered and should be in place by next week. 

The annual Little League parade on April 30 will kick off of the season, but the first game under the lights probably won’t take place until some time in mid-May, when League officials plan a special ceremony.

The East Greenwich Rotary Club has pledged income from their annual Fall Citrus drive toward the $55,000 project, and hopes to generate at least $10,000.  Rotarians and the League are working together to maximize the proceeds.

League President Bill Anderson says the Rotary pledge of support is a big help with the campaign to raise the rest of the money.  At the regular Rotary meeting on Wednesday he thanked the club for their generous pledge and the support they have given Little League over the years.

Anderson and League Secretary Mark Sylvia told the Rotarians that lack of a lighted field impacted the number of teams they could field, as well as practice time and the possibility of hosting certain teams and  playoff games.

“We kept hearing that we couldn’t do it,” said Anderson, “that there were too many roadblocks and the neighbors wouldn’t agree. We decided it was time,” he said. “So we went to the neighborhood and after answering their questions found they didn’t have a problem. Lights are much different now, and we can direct them to the field so they won’t impact the neighborhood.” 

All the neighbors are being invited as special guests when the lights are turned on for the first time.

With no objections from the neighbors, the Town Council added their approval.  Cragan Field is owned by the East Greenwich Cemetery Corporation and leased to the town for a dollar.

The lights meet the international standards required by the Little League organization.  

Due to modern technology they are also very efficient and are estimated to cost only $5.00 an hour to operate.

Anderson and Sylvia say that Little League is again seeing growth and they have had to add teams this year to accommodate some 575 players.  The say the lighted field will help cope with that growth.  

Games are played at 12 fields around the community, but Cragan is the main field.

(Published: http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/articles/lights-going-up-for-east-greenwich-little-league)