Hammond Stadium due for face-lift

Improving lighting system among plans

By Ryan Lengerich
Fort Myers News Press

In March, Twins outfielder Torii Hunter vowed never again to play in Fort Myers under the Hammond Stadium lights.

A fastball to the temple can draw that reaction.

"I can't see here. There's not enough lighting. It's always been that way," he told sports reporters after Cincinnati Reds starter Kyle Lohse drilled him in the helmet.

After 16 years, Lee County has plans to overhaul the lighting system with 186, 1,500-watt halide fixtures. County commissioners will consider the $365,500 upgrade at its weekly meeting Tuesday.

The new lights will cut energy use in half and cause half the spill and glare, according to Oskaloosa, Iowa-based Musco Lighting, which is handling the project.

The stadium rehab won't end there.

Commissioners will consider spending about $391,989 to replace about 3,500 lower-level seats.

"We have had enough mechanical failures where they have outlived their life," said Jim Lavender, public works director.

If approved, the upgrades will occur between the time the Miracle season ends in September and the Twins arrive for spring training in mid-February.

The seats, the originals inside the park that opened in 1991, have become safety hazards. Lavender said in some cases, spectators have pushed their seat down only to have it break.

The metal bleachers in the top sections will remain.

The new seats will be a dark green manufactured by Spring Lake, Mich.-based Track Seating. The company's Web site describes the "Champion" model seats as a textured no-stick surfacing, anti-graffiti with dual action spring lifts.

Lavender said the current seats will be destroyed by the contractor. Don't expect the more than 3,000 old Miracle seats to pop up on eBay as collectibles, he said. The seats are a liability.