Lighting Deal Brings Softball Field Access

Adult softball players are among the winners in a new deal between the city and Saddleback Valley Unified School District that will exchange lights for field space.

Under the agreement approved last week by the City Council, Mission Viejo will spend as much as $500,000 to buy and install lights on two softball fields at Trabuco Hills Middle School.

The school district will be given ownership of the lights, but will be allowed to maintain them with funds formerly spent to rent city parks for youth programs.

Adult softball leagues, which had seen their use of city ball fields reduced because of the growth of girls softball, will get to use the lighted diamonds at Trabuco Hills High School.

“This is a classic example of a good partnership,” Mayor Susan Withrow said. “It’s something we’ve worked on for quite a while and now it’s finally happening.”