La Palma : Lights Ready to Shine on City Softball Field

When the spring softball season begins, the lights also will go on, making way for night use of the only city-owned softball field.

“We’ll be off and running in April,” said Kitty Rudometkin, the city’s director of community services.

The ball field, part of the 15-acre facilities at Central Park, was completed in November, 1984, but league games held at night were postponed until lighting for the field could be completed, Rudometkin said.

The cost of building the field was $145,500, with $86,000 coming from a state park bond in 1984, said Mary O’Neil, acting city manager. Lighting for the facility cost $55,500, of which $25,000 was state park money, she said.

Even without lighting, the four adult softball leagues have used the field for day games since construction was completed. Some games also were held on the field at Kennedy High School, Rudometkin said. Day and night games now will be scheduled at the new field.

She said that this year’s season will begin in mid-April, with registration to be held during March.

Central Park, at 7821 Walker St., also has basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, a gazebo and a large open playground.