New lights, scoreboards at Isotopes Park

Isotopes Park got some work done over the offseason, including the installation of a new lighting system and new scoreboards.

Albuquerque’s Triple-A baseball franchise said the “state-of-the-art LED lighting system” will increase light levels, minimize glare and allow for light-to-sound synchronization at Rio Grande Credit Union Field.

The lighting upgrade was required to meet Major League Baseball standards, according to Isotopes General Manager John Traub.

“We think fans are really going to enjoy the new lights with their improved capabilities, especially the light shows we are able to produce with various color schemes throughout the game time experience. We’re excited to put them on display Opening Night Friday night,” Traub stated in a news release.

The Isotopes open their 2024 season at home against the El Paso Chihuahuas with games scheduled Friday and Saturday evening with a Sunday matinee.

The City of Albuquerque, which owns the stadium, is responsible for upgrades and paid for the lighting system. The Musco Show-Light Pro system cost $576,137, plus $268,311 to install, according to city records.

In a news release, the city stated the new lights use 750 watts of power each, yet will provide more light than the 1,500-watt halogen bulbs in the old system.

Dan Mayfield, city spokesman, said there are multiple benefits to the new LED lights. For starters, the lights go on nearly instantaneously instead of taking 10 to 20 minutes to reach full power, he said.

Also, since the LED lights use half the energy as the old lights, the system is expected to “pay for itself” — due to energy costs savings — in about 14 years, Mayfield said.

The system is backed by a 25-year warranty, eliminating maintenance cost through 2049, according to city.

Isotopes Park is also home to the New Mexico United soccer franchise, which will have access to the lighting system, the city confirmed.

The stadium lighting isn’t the only upgrade fans will notice.

Diamond Baseball Holdings, which purchased the Isotopes in the offseason, invested in two new LED auxiliary scoreboards, situated along the Club Level façade on both the firstand third-base sides of the ballpark.

Each new Daktronics scoreboard is approximately 4 feet tall and 47 feet long and promises better clarity and visibility for fans, the Isotopes stated in a news release.

The cost to purchase and install the new scoreboards was not immediately available.