A request by Miracle League of Western PA officials to add lighting to the Bill Mazeroski Miracle Field at Murrysville Community Park could end up as a delicate dance balancing player safety and respect for nearby residents who were told the park would not be lit.

“There were commitments made when that ground was purchased that there wouldn’t be lights in that park,” Chief Administrator Jim Morrison told council this month. “And there will be residents who will come to remind us about that.”

The Rotary Miracle Field Complex opened in 2012 and has grown steadily since its construction, according to the Rev. Harold Hicks, Miracle League of Western PA president.

“The players just keep coming from all over the eastern part of Allegheny County and Westmoreland, and as far south as from Connellsville,” Hicks told council. “In the 2012 season, we had about 45 players. For our fall season this year, we had more than 180 players ranging in age from 5 to 71.”

Hicks said officials from other Miracle Fields in the region are always complimentary of Murrysville’s field.

“But many of those other fields have lights,” Hicks said. “And when we go to those places, everyone says they wish they had our field. So this lighting thing has been very important to us.”

In addition to the ability to host more games as sundown begins arriving earlier in the fall, Hicks said player safety is also paramount.

“Our goal is to give players a chance to play at least twice per week during the season,” Hicks said.

Morrison also had questions about evening access if the field were to be lit.

“The gate is closed sometime around dusk now,” he said. “With the gate not being tended, we expose the whole park to ne’er-do-wells and others. … If someone wanders up past the Miracle Field area and starts going through the park, you’re going to be asking for trouble.”

Hicks said the estimated cost to light the field is about $125,000.

“We have a couple folks who’ve partnered with us on (funding) the development of the field, and they’ve indicated a willingness to help out with the lights as well,” he said.

Kyle Smith, a sales rep with Pittsburgh-based Musco Sports Lighting, said the proposal would be for four poles and 15 total LED light fixtures. Musco officials have installed lighting at 15 fields in Western Pennsylvania.

“I think there may be a way to do this,” Councilman Loren Kase said. “I don’t want to just shut the door, but if that gate is open, it can’t be open for some and not for others. Everyone has a financial commitment to that park.”

Morrison said council — and Miracle Field officials — should consider want-versus-need.

“Justify the want versus the need. You need more field slots, and the lights will provide that,” Morrison said. “I think Harold should be charged with the responsibility of providing that.”

In February, Morrison said council’s agenda will include further discussion of an amphitheater in Murrysville Community Park near the Miracle Field, which could present a solution to the access issue.

“There will be a question of bringing a road in by the maintenance building on Farm Road, which will cross the creek just above the Miracle Field,” he said.

That maintenance road could be used to control access to both the amphitheater and the Miracle Field, leaving public works crews free to close the park’s main gate.

“I think the concern is not necessarily the lights — because technology has gotten to the point where that can be controlled pretty well,” Morrison said. “But I think the biggest concern is the increased noise and traffic.

“I think it’s a great idea, but there’s another side to this,” he said.

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