IBEW Local 1/NECA team up to revamp Twin City Little League’s lighting system

By SHERI GASSAWAY

Correspondent

Festus, MO – Much to the relief of parents with kids in the Twin City Little League and members of the non-for-profit organization, night games will continue at the popular Festus ballpark in Jefferson County, MO.

Those night games were on the chopping block after the lighting at the ballpark failed a recent inspection. It would have created some tight scheduling problems if all the games had to be played during daylight hours only.

But thanks to the Electrical Connection – a partnership between IBEW Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), it’s business as usual for the league’s 78th season.

‘WORDS CAN’T DESCRIBE
WHAT THIS MEANS’

“We really do appreciate it, and words can’t describe what this means to us,” said Scott White, the league’s board president. “We own our own facility and receive no public funding from the city or county, which means the board is responsible for all repairs.”

White said the organization has been fighting the aging electrical system at the ballpark for more than 50 years. He said one of the league’s patrons contacted IBEW Local 1 Business Representative Chuck DeMoulin for guidance on the safety issues.

“Chuck contacted us very quickly, came out and did an inspection and submitted our needs to the Electrical Connection,” White said. “They approved a grant for us and Charlie Schaeffer (owner of NECA contractor Schaeffer Electric) volunteered to provide labor for the project.”

‘PART OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE LIVE’

DeMoulin, who also serves as president of the Jefferson County Labor Club, said he was happy everything came together so smoothly.

“For us, this ballpark is part of the community where we live, and it’s where our kids play,” he said. “It’s important to give back to the community that has given so much support to us.”

Schaeffer employees and Local 1 members Matt Copeland and Chris Blank made the repairs to the electrical system April 20. They replaced the worn out electrical conduit and wiring and made sure everything was up to code.

“We’re happy to help the Little League,” Copeland said. “These games are becoming more and more competitive, and they help to build sportsmanship, character and leadership skills.”