Who decided not to turn on the lights?

That was the question fans and some players asked at Segra Park Thursday following the abrupt conclusion to the S.C. American Baseball Summer League contest between Chapin/Newberry and Lexington Post 7. 

Lexington was due to bat in the bottom 7th trailing 10-3 when the game was called by Segra Park officials.

Columbia Firefies’ Executive Vice President Brad Shank said to avoid the higher expenses of turning on the field lights, there was an understanding the game would take place with a 2-hour time limit. 

The contest actually stretched 20 minutes past the allotted time before played was halted by the umpires. The cost-saving measure of not utilizing lights is necessary for the Fireflies given its season remains postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. 

With 10 more games scheduled this summer as part of the Segra Series, Shank said the Fireflies will most likely look ask the incoming teams to move their starting times from 6:05 pm to 5:30 pm.  

The next scheduled game at Segra Park is Tuesday when Florence faces Edgefield. 

Rob Livingston, Director of Baseball Operations at Chapin/Newberry confirmed Friday he and Lexington Athletics Director Michael Riefsynder already have an arrangement in place to insure a conclusion for their July 30 game at Segra Park. Along with an earlier start time, the game could end in a tie if it appears headed to extra innings.