The Tri-City Chili Peppers made history by not just playing under the lights, but by becoming the lights themselves. This was undoubtedly a first for baseball.
As explained by MLB.com:
"The Chili Peppers, who are based in Colonial Heights, Va., beat the Greenbrier Knights, another Virginia-based team, by a score of 9-4. The Chili Peppers are members of a southern U.S. collegiate summer league called the Coastal Plain League, which has produced the likes of Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson."
Yep, the league has even produced an NFL star quarterback. But on this night, it produced something never before seen on the diamond. It was billed as "Cosmic Baseball."
The first to do it #GoChiliPeppers🌶️ #YearofCosmicBaseball🌌 pic.twitter.com/FFq29g7Znl
— Tri-City Chili Peppers 🌶 (@GoChiliPeppers) June 2, 2024
This was the first organized sporting event that was played under black lights — or at least, it was on record. "... Prior to Saturday night, the only known instance of sports occurring in this setting was 'just guys messing around' hitting tennis balls, according to team owner Chris Martin," MLB.com relayed.
Worlds First Ever Cosmic Baseball Game will be played June 1st. Don’t Miss being a part of History. pic.twitter.com/eXnDAH6H5A
— Tri-City Chili Peppers 🌶 (@GoChiliPeppers) May 2, 2024
How all of this came together is pretty cool. Or given that they were playing under black lights, perhaps pretty hot.
"Martin, in conjunction with local lighting company J.W. Electric, along with Federal Lighting manufacturer's rep Chad Lawson, was able to make an organized game happen, resulting in a huge hit," wrote Cole Jacobsen of MLB.com. "Tickets for Saturday's showdown, which was also streamed on the team's YouTube channel, sold out within 24 hours of the initial 'hype' video being posted on May 2. And according to Martin, interest among collegiate players to join the Chili Peppers has soared tremendously in the time since."
