New lights signals new era for Milton Little League

MILTON, Del. –  Friday was a big night for the Milton community and the local Little League squad. Once shutout from playing night games, that is no longer a problem.

For the past two years this night has been the vision of former league treasurer Kathy Newcomb. And thanks to tens-of-thousands of dollars raised in the Milton community, it is now a reality.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. Little League is limited to the registration costs and the donations that we receive from the local community,” said Frank Payton, a Milton Little League board member, and Little League father.

In all, this project cost upwards of $110,000. Money that was raised through the town, Sussex County Council, and donations.

“It helps that the teams in Milton have done so well in the last five years. So asking people for their support, they just jumped behind it because they knew the coaches were committed, the board members were committed. But it took everyone doing it,” said Newcomb.

These new lights mean more to Milton than just the ability to go extras. Board members now say they can attract tournaments to town, tournaments that could pump more money in for more future projects.

“This just opens us up for more opportunity of having more tournaments played here, because now, out of the four playing fields that we have, now we have three lights on the field so games can be played later on in the night,” said Payton.

The lights are the last of a laundry list of projects. The league has also upgraded the fencing and added a new concession stand.

Opening day in Milton is scheduled for April 15th.