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/92272
baseball is a backstop (the wing like fence structure behind home plate that protects spectators and others from flying balls and tossed bats). It too can be made of chain link fencing, although some are constructed of nets and cables, depending upon the use of the field and the level of play involved. Many sports, particularly those for equipment-heavy sports, use chain link equipment cages so that players can keep their gear se- cure, and in one location while playing. These cages may be com- pletely fenced in chain link, or may be open on top, or the top may be covered by sports netting (more on this material in a minute). Fields for sports such as soccer, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as rugby and football also are generally delineated by fencing, and again, it is usually chain link. This fencing may be 4 to 6 feet in height, although occasionally, higher fences are used for security purposes. Sports fields in general also have a setback, or safety zone, around them, to keep spectators and players clear of one another. This area too must be taken into consideration when making plans to delineate space between fields. Before installing fencing, check to make sure setbacks are correct, and that all current regulations are being followed. Remember that in some sports, such as soccer, field dimensions will vary, depending on whether athletes are high school, college or professional players. In chain link fencing, gates should be wide enough to comply with all regulations concerning handicap accessibility. In addition, field maintenance equipment and if necessary, emergency vehicles and personnel must be able to access the field. NET RESULT Netting also is used to great effect in athletic fields. It is light and airy, and provides excellent visibility for players and specta- tors. Netting can be used to contain balls and keep them in play, as well as to keep spectators from injury in the case of loose equipment or balls. On soccer, field hockey and lacrosse fields, netting is often set at a height of 20 feet (although heights up to 40 feet may be used). Netting may be installed only behind goals or at the ends of fields, or it may encircle the field. (It may be more commonly used in some sports than others; for example, football fields often use netting only behind goals, and may raise it only during field goal efforts). In addition, netting may be used when athletes in the same area might interfere with one another; for example, in a case where a running track encircles an athletic field, a net might be set up to keep soccer players from interfering with track ath- letes while both are practicing. Some netting is set in posts on the surface of the field and can be taken down as needed, while in other installations, extension poles may be attached to an assembly on the top of the existing chain link fence posts. (This results in less expense for netting, plus a sturdy base on the field). Netting is also used in track and field installations, particularly in throwing events, such as shot put and discus. In athletic uses, netting should have openings no larger than 1-1/2 inch square. (The exception to this is netting that sur- rounds a driving range, or will be used as impact netting for www.stma.org SportsTurf 37 golfers; this requires a much smaller mesh). Driving ranges and golf courses also may have specific requirements pertaining to height. Some may even require a netted roof, depending upon local codes, insurance concerns and more. Athletic netting is usually black, but may be purchased in other colors, such as white or green. It can be procured from a va- riety of sports-specific sources; ascertain that you are getting the correct mesh size for the sport(s) your field hosts. (Fun fact: Net- ting is available for multiple other sports as well, including tennis and archery, so be sure to have a full list). Netting that is used in athletic installations of any type should be tough, UV-resistant, weather-resistant and easily repaired. As with all other fencing, netting that encircles a field must be able to be easily removed in order to allow access to emergency vehicles, maintenance equipment and all other legitimate uses. It may also become necessary to remove netting from time to time in the event of high winds or other extreme conditions, as well as after the playing season has ended. Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the Amer- ican Sports Builders Association. Available at no charge is a listing of all publications offered by the ASBA, as well as their Member- ship Directory. For info, 866-501-2722 or www.sportsbuilders.org. ■