State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, and state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, announced Sept. 30 they secured a $500,000 grant to replace the lights at Samuel Balliet Stadium in Coplay.

The new lights were to be turned on for the first time Oct. 2, following a media conference at the field. Once the lights were on, an exhibition baseball game under the lights with local players was expected.

“Sammy Balliet Stadium is an asset in the Lehigh Valley, utilized by so many players since its opening in the 1940s,” Miller said. “With the lights being damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Rep. McNeill and I are proud to stand with the community as we flick the switch to see the new lights shining for the first time. Since I took office in 2023, it has been a priority to secure the funding Coplay needed to add the new lights to this iconic stadium.”

The stadium, 131 N. Eighth St., is named in honor of the state champion American Legion baseball coach, Samuel “Sammy” Balliet.

“I am glad that Sen. Miller and I were able to work together to secure funding for lights at Sammy Balliet Stadium,” McNeill said. “This stadium is a historic part of Coplay, and I am so happy that the current and future teams will get to play games under the lights for years to come. Not every town is fortunate enough to have such a historic, beautiful stadium, and I am thrilled we were able to work together to make this happen.”

In addition to the senator and representative, Coplay Mayor Steve Burker, members of Coplay Borough Council, local elected officials and business leaders were expected to attend the event.

“I am excited that future generations will have the opportunity to play under the lights as their parents and grandparents did,” Miller added. “We will continue to honor Balliet for his contribution to our local baseball history.”