SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/442256
www.stma.org January 2015 | SportsTurf 41 lights, sports turf field management is truly a science. "Maximizing playability while minimizing wear is like a math equation, a constantly changing math equation," says Bjorn. Sports turf managers always have to be prepared for wet con- ditions when managing natural grass fields. A tactic Bjorn uses is to kindly request coaches stay away from "danger zones," or heavy traffic areas such as the 18-yard box on a soccer field. Another method sports turf managers employ is to mandate youth teams to train and compete on artificial turf when natural grass fields are saturated to reduce wear-and-tear. Although the challenges of maximizing playability are important, the safety level of a field can't be overlooked. Safety in contemporary sport has been a hot topic and is a fun- damental priority with field use. The moderate temperature of grass cools the air, which makes it less hot during games. Furthermore, grass also absorbs carbon dioxide, which reduces global warming. The cleanliness of natural grass is also beneficial because liquids and bodily fluids can absorb into the grass, preventing stagnant areas. When collisions occur, falling on natural grass provides more "give" which creates a cushion for joints. In turn, this reduces the chance of injury. Safety is a constant that remains steadfast amongst all sports fields, despite which sport they were built for. There are many similarities and differences between manag- ing natural grass soccer and baseball/softball fields. Inherently, soccer receives more wear because of the pace of the sport. Slide tackling and high rate of play, among other factors, typically lead to more field damage. Baseball groundskeepers often know the spots which outfielders run to, thus offering a moderate level of comfort and predictability. By developing an understanding of a player's habits, it helps to shrink the size and scope of the field for maintenance purposes. Noel Brusius, WPD's Sports Turf Manager, is a prime example. He currently manages both soccer and softball fields and knows first-hand how to craft fields built to host national tournaments. He was also recently recognized as a STMA "Field of the Year" winner, a testament to his endless hours of producing safe and playable sports surfaces that are also visually appealing. Weather also presents a large challenge when preserving quality and appearance at multi-field sports complexes. Protecting sports turf in grueling weather conditions is one of the many obstacles that sports turf managers seek to overcome. Kristen Althouse, STMA Education Manager, outlines a few practical guidelines to help. ■ Hollow tine aerify on cool-season field. It is important to remember to aerate after the fall sports season is completed. ■ Overseed and sod to repair bare or thin areas. Over seeding proves to be useful because of the wear in heavy traffic areas of fields, such as the center of a football field. Planting seed well in advance speeds up the germination process so that when spring approaches, seed begins to grow. ■ Apply topdressing. Applying top-dressing is also benefi- cial to ward off winter woes. This top-layer of compost or sand, depending on the composition of the field, serves to improve field conditions in the spring. ■ Lower your mowing height. Mowing height is also a crucial factor. Significantly lowering mowing height often reduces snow mold and damage. ■ Use growth covers when you can. They create a green- house effect that promotes seed germination during the winter. Specifically placing them in high wear areas that have recently been seeded is a recommended practice. Arid conditions in the summer months also prove difficult to manage. Droughts combined with untimely storms deplete oxygen from roots, resulting in undesirable conditions. Excessive heat, humidity and soil moisture is detrimental to grass growth. To com- bat this, it's recommended to select a cool-season species of turf grass, time plantings accurately and prepare soil well. Ultimately, sports fields play a large role in the success of the local economy and have evolved into a demanding job with increased responsibilities, 365 days per year. Some of the most state-of-the-art facilities wouldn't be here today if it weren't for "grass guys" who have dedicated themselves to achiev- ing an immaculate pitch. If a local economy can prosper from a sports complex, such as Maryland SoccerPlex or WPD, imagine how much sports fields are benefiting the economy on a national level. Next time you visit a multi-field sports complex, take a minute to admire the masterpiece in front of you and all of the hard work poured into it. ■ ST