Lights at Wrigley Field Have Bright Start

Six towering banks of floodlights on Monday illuminated 74-year-old Wrigley Field for the first time in its history as the Chicago Cubs made their first batting practice under the lights a festive affair, beginning with an autograph session on the field.

A crowd of about 3,000 rose to sing the national anthem as the lights were turned on at 7:45 p.m., CDT, two weeks before the Cubs will play the Philadelphia Phillies in the first night game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 8.

About 15 minutes after the lights came on, Andre Dawson hit the first home run at night at Wrigley as part of a home run contest featuring Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Billy Williams and current Cub Ryne Sandberg.

“I saw it real well,” Dawson said. “But maybe when it gets a little darker, it will be different in the field.”

Some of the Cubs, however, had trouble seeing the ball.

“I was told by my players that there is a particular problem in the left-field corner,” Manager Don Zimmer said.

Tickets for the workout sold for $100 apiece, with the proceeds going to charity.

Opponents of night baseball scheduled their own Monday night practice, meeting behind Wrigley Field to organize neighborhood patrols for the first night game.