Lights provide unique atmosphere at Clyde

CLYDE — Clyde High School has always had one of the premier softball fields in the area. The Fliers have hosted numerous district and regional games over the years, and when Clyde added turf a few years ago, the marketability went up even more. Now, the Fliers have taken it up another notch with the installation of lights before last season, allowing Clyde to be a bit more flexible with what they can do. The Fliers are able to start junior varsity games at 4:45 or 5 p.m., depending on who they play, and follow it up with the varsity game that typically finishes after the sun is setting. "There are several benefits to having lights," Clyde athletic director Ryan Greenslade said. "The overall number of teams that don't have full junior varsity teams or enough to play in separate locations is leading to more and more doubleheaders. If you don't have lights, the JV games are often shortened due to darkness. "Having lights allows for our JV games to be full-length. We've been playing our JV games early and allowing the varsity games to be played under the lights." Clyde has played just two games under the lights this year and it was a thriller. Tied at 1 after seven innings against Galion, each team scored a run in the eighth before the Tigers went up 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Fliers first tied the game before Ella Howey hit a walk-off two-run home run to finish off the Clyde's 5-3 win. Clyde added a 7-0 win over Gibsonburg on Tuesday in a game that didn't end until after 8:30 p.m. where the lights came in need. "We usually practice in the evening just to prepare for playing at night," longtime Clyde softball coach Marc Marshall said. "The lights and the turf definitely allow us to get our games in as scheduled." Playing under the lights gives the players a little bit more of a college-like atmosphere. It gives Greenslade the opportunity to use two umpires on a night where normally four would be needed. "Another benefit to having lights is the ability to play doubleheaders due to the umpire shortage," he said. "The umpires can come to Clyde and umpire two games and it allows for our assignor to have two umpires to assign to another game." The lights could really help Clyde if it is chosen to host significant postseason games like it has in the past. Even if rain would delay the start of the game, it wouldn't mean an automatic postponement, not only due to the lights, but the turf on the field. "We are hosting tournament games due to the turf because the state championship games are played on turf now," Marshall said. "The lights also are a benefit due to rain because in the past if it was raining, we would have to reschedule. Now, even with a longer rain delay, darkness won't be a factor." The Fliers are off to a 5-2 start this season and have nine more games scheduled under the lights including a doubleheader Saturday against Mansfield Madison. Clyde will face Norwalk, Bellevue, Sandusky and Perkins — Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division opponents — under the lights yet this season. "It gives the game a different feel playing at night," Marshall said. "Our girls like it and our opponents seem to like it also because it is a different experience. The attendance seems to increase for the night games as well. "It seems like the game is a little quicker and the ball seems to travel better at night." As the games progress this season, the weather will get nicer. That will make playing under the lights even better for fans and players alike. "Several school districts are still struggling with transportation issues as well," Greenslade said. "The ability to start later and turn the lights on allows for less games being rescheduled and it makes it easier on both schools involved. "Obviously, as the weather gets nicer and warmer outside, the games under the lights will be much more enjoyable." Clyde's remaining games under the lights: Thursday, April 10 — Seneca East Friday, April 11 — Norwalk Saturday, April 12 — Mansfield Madison (doubleheader) Monday, April 21 — Shelby Friday, April 25 — Bellevue Tuesday, April 29 — Eastwood Friday, May 2 — Sandusky Thursday, May 8 — Carey Friday, May 9 — Perkins