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/533607
can be measured with a $20 fire-proofing depth gauge available from several online merchants. As part of the field inspection process, the condition of seams should be checked regularly. Properly functioning (non- separating) seams, even when visible, do not pose an elevated risk. However, if the seams begin to fail and separate, they create potential tripping hazards. In addition to inspecting the seams that go across the field, there are also seams at each inlay that require inspection. It is our experience that seams at inlays tend to be the most problematic and require the most attention. If seam repairs are needed, be sure to follow field manufacturer recommendations. An effective field inspection should also ensure that the field is free of any foreign objects and debris such as garbage, leaves, etc. Blowers and sweepers specifically designed for synthetic turf can help clean the field before a game. Goal posts should be checked ensure they are properly anchored. Goal post pads should be installed for all games and practices. Be sure to inspect sideline areas for obstacles such as trash cans and benches. These types of items should be far enough away from the playing surface that a player has a chance to stop before coming into contact with them. A minimum buffer zone of 25 feet is commonly recommended. If the field has been used for any non-football events, such as a graduation, walk the field and look for nuts, bolts, screws, nails or any materials that may have been used in construction of the stage or a similar structure. The amount of metal debris that is sometimes found on fields can be both surprising and dangerous. In the NFL, field manag- ers must go over the field with a large magnet after events such as concerts to remove metal debris. Magnets capable of being pulled by utility carts are available for purchase and are a useful tool if your field regularly hosts non-football events. INSPECTING & TESTING NATURAL TURF FIELDS Just as with synthetic turf fields, routine Gmax testing should be included in an inspection and testing program on natural turf fields. If elevated Gmax levels are found (such as over 100 as measured with the Clegg), steps should be taken to reduce sur- face hardness. Surface hardness on natural turf fields is largely influenced by the level of soil compaction and water content. As a result, cultural practices are critical for maintaining acceptable Gmax levels. Offseason field improvements such as incorporating a quality compost into the soil via hollow tine aeration can not only improve surface hardness, but also improve overall turfgrass health. Information on compost selection and application can be found at: http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/ research/natural-fact-sheets. However, in-season remediation practices must be done with care as to not affect surface stability. NFL field managers have been experimenting with in-season needle-tine aeration and deep-tine units set to penetrate only a few inches to slightly raise the surface. These techniques have been fairly successful for short-term reductions in surface hard- ness without sacrificing playability, but care should be taken when performing these practices. If in-season cultivation becomes too aggressive, the surface playability may suffer due to reduced footing. A proper field inspection also includes scouting for holes and depressions throughout the field. An uneven surface can increase injury risk and any holes or depressions found should be filled in as soon as possible using sand and/or soil. When time allows, the area should be preferably sodded if it is large or, at a minimum, the area should be seeded as soon as possible. Also, be on the lookout for any debris and/or foreign objects such as nails used to string out the field during the field painting process or other maintenance activities. If the field has an in-ground irrigation system, check that all sprinkler heads have fully retracted below the surface as designed and that any quick-coupler or other valves have been checked and valve caps have been properly placed in the closed position. A granular material should be used to fill around irrigation heads level to the surface. Just as with synthetic turf fields, goal posts and sideline areas should be inspected, and potential obstacles should be moved away from the immediate sideline area to create a buffer zone. After non-football events, the field should be checked for metal debris as previously described in the synthetic turf section. FIELD INSPECTION CHECKLISTS A field inspection checklist is a great way to be sure to not over- look any elements of your field inspection. It also provides a record that the field was inspected should an injury occur and the condition of the field be questioned. You can develop your own checklist or use one that has already been created. The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) has published a thorough field checklist that is available on the STMA SAFE Foundation website (www.stma.org/the- safe-foundation). The SAFE Foundation has also produced several videos detailing how to conduct a proper field inspection. In these videos, Ross Kurcab, former sportsfield manager for the Denver Broncos, provides excellent field inspection examples. These vid- eos can also be found on the SAFE Foundation website. www.stma.org July 2015 | SportsTurf 13