​Pembroke Youth Little League has a brand-new light pole just in time for its busiest weekend of the year. The league is hosting the Kids Helping Kids tournament, an event that supports Santa’s Helpers on the South Shore. With more than 100 games scheduled at Mattakeesett Fields, teams from various towns have been registering for months to participate in what promises to be a vibrant and spirited weekend of youth baseball.
As the organizers approached the weekend, there was real uncertainty about whether games could proceed after sunset on Field C. The existing lighting situation was a critical concern. A board member, Brian Shanahan, recalled the scene: “That pole was still in the ground, and there were some dads on the field, including our president of baseball, literally digging a trench to lay the wiring. Tonight was the night we ultimately needed it—last possible hour.” The pole he referred to is a new 50-foot metal light tower that will allow games to continue after dark and extend the league’s usable field time.
The need for better lighting became stark after a historic blizzard last winter, when strong winds toppled one of the outfield light posts. Pembroke Youth Baseball President John Mahoney explained, “I didn’t think we had lost a light pole because we were buried under two to three feet of snow. I drove down here, and yes, it was buried under the snow. There was nothing we could do until the snow melted. It snapped right at the base.” With spring around the corner and the baseball season fast approaching, the program launched a rapid fundraising effort to replace the fallen pole.
A major boost came from Big Y, as the supermarket chain opened a new store in town and stepped up with a substantial donation to fund the purchase and installation of the new light pole. The new fixture was officially activated during a ceremony on Friday night, and Pembroke Youth Baseball announced that Mattakeesett Fields would be renamed Big Y Field in honor of the generous contribution.
When asked by Boston 25 News Reporter Michael Raimondi whether the league could host such a large tournament without adequate lighting, Mahoney responded candidly, “Probably not. We have about 100 games today through the weekend. Where would we put those games if this light pole isn’t here to cover this field? I’m glad now that I’ve done the work and everyone else is, too—the crew has completed the job, and we can sit back, watch the baseball and play under the lights.”
The community’s effort to restore reliable lighting for the field highlights how a town can come together to support its youth and ensure a long-running sporting tradition remains accessible after dark. The improved lighting will extend the usable hours of play, enhance safety for players and spectators, and sustain the momentum of this beloved local league as it cheers on its young athletes throughout the tournament weekend.