Sports History May 24th,

1935

The First Night Baseball Game

The first night game in professional baseball was played on May 24, 1935, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The game was between the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies, and it marked a significant moment in baseball history.

Prior to this game, baseball was always played during the daytime because there was no way to properly illuminate the playing field. However, with the introduction of artificial lighting, night games became possible.

President Franklin D Roosevelt threw a ceremonial switch at the White House in Washington and “turned the lights” on the field in Cincinnati. The Reds won the game 2-1, with a home run by leadoff hitter, Ethan Allen. The success of the first night game led to the widespread adoption of night games in professional baseball, which continue to be a popular feature of the sport today.