THE UPDATED, AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO SPORTS FIELD MANAGEMENT THAT INCLUDES THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN, AND ON, THE FIELD
The updated Third Edition of Sports Fields: Design, Construction, and Maintenance is a comprehensive reference for professionals who are responsible for the design, construction, renovation, and maintenance of athletic facilities. This book contains illustrative examples of specific design elements of the most popular sports facilities. This Third Edition contains new chapters on safety, public relations, and professionalism for future sports field managers, as well as fresh drawings and photos that highlight innovative field layout, grading, irrigation, and drainage. All-new case studies review best practices and techniques for sports fields ranging from youth and high school fields to fields that are designed for professional athletes. This text is also an ideal resource for anyone studying for Sports Field Manager Certification (offered by STMA).
- Features new case studies that include design and management best practices for all levels and types of sports facilities
- Offers new chapters on safety, public relations, and professionalism for future sports field managers
- Includes new illustrations and photos of innovative field layout, grading, irrigation, and drainage
- Contains the most recent information on sand-based field systems and synthetic turf
- Presents discussions of a range of fields including baseball, softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, and track and field
Sports Fields: Design, Construction, and Maintenance, Third Edition is a blueprint for field managers, designers, and builders for successful sports field projects.
Table of Contents
About the Authors xi
About the STMA xiii
Preface xv
Part 1 Principles of Sports Turf Culture 1
1 Turfgrasses 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Biology and Identification 4
1.3 Turfgrass Types 11
1.4 Turfgrass Selection 18
1.5 Using the Two-Map System to Select Turfgrass 20
1.6 Planting Times and Rates 24
1.7 Soil Preparation 27
1.8 Planting Techniques 28
1.9 Establishment 35
1.10 Overseeding Warm-Season Fields 38
1.11 Sustaining a Mixed Warm and Cool Season Turfgrass Canopy in the Transition Zone 45
2 Soils and Soil Science 53
2.1 Introduction 53
2.2 Soil as a Medium for Turfgrass 53
3 Fertility and Fertilizers 67
3.1 Introduction 67
3.2 Nutrient Requirements 67
3.3 Nutrient Uptake 70
3.4 Soil Reaction 71
3.5 Fertilizer Analysis 73
3.6 Fertilizer Sources 74
3.7 Application Rates and Frequencies 78
3.8 Micronutrients 82
3.9 Biostimulants 84
4 Mowing 87
4.1 Introduction 87
4.2 Types of Mowers 90
4.3 Turf Response 92
4.4 Height and Frequency 93
4.5 Pattern 94
4.6 Clipping Removal 95
4.7 Equipment and Safety 96
4.8 Chemical Growth Regulators 97
5 Irrigation 103
5.1 Introduction 103
5.2 Irrigation and Turfgrass Culture 103
5.3 General Principles of Turfgrass Irrigation 104
5.4 Portable Irrigation Systems 105
5.5 Installed Irrigation Systems 106
5.6 Wireless Sensor Technology 121
5.7 Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) 121
5.8 The Use of Nonpotable Water for Sports Field Irrigation 122
5.9 Know Your Water Source 123
6 Drainage 125
6.1 Introduction 125
6.2 Surface Drainage 125
6.3 Internal Drainage 129
6.4 Installed Drain Systems 136
6.5 Other Drain System Practices 147
7 Aeration and Topdressing 149
7.1 Introduction 149
7.2 Aerating for Optimal Turf Responses 149
7.3 Aeration Equipment 153
7.4 Topdressing 163
8 Thatch 167
8.1 Introduction 167
8.2 Definition of Thatch 167
8.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Thatch in Sports Turf 168
8.4 How Thatch Develops 170
8.5 Maintaining a Managed Thatch Layer 172
8.6 Reducing Excessive Thatch Buildup 173
9 Turfgrass Stresses and Remedies 179
9.1 Introduction 179
9.2 Mechanical Stresses 179
9.3 Environmental Stresses 183
9.4 Weeds, Insects, and Diseases 187
10 Wise Use of Chemicals 271
10.1 Introduction 271
10.2 The Label is the Law 271
10.3 Planning and Performing Applications 275
10.4 Record Keeping 286
11 Organic Field Management 289
11.1 Introduction 289
11.2 Definitions and Principles of Organic Field Management 290
11.3 Principles and Concepts of Organic Field Management 290
11.4 Making an Adjustment to Organic Field Management 292
11.5 Timing and Site Conditions for Organic Field Management 292
11.6 Organic Field Management Inputs 293
11.7 Compost and Composting 308
11.8 Compost Applications on Sports Fields 311
Part 2 Natural Turfgrass Sports Fields 313
12 Baseball and Softball Fields 317
12.1 Introduction 317
12.2 Design 317
12.3 Construction 340
12.4 Renovation 349
12.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 353
12.6 Rules and Regulations 357
13 Football Fields 371
13.1 Introduction 371
13.2 Design 372
13.3 Construction 381
13.4 Renovation 383
13.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 387
13.6 Rules and Regulations 396
14 Soccer, Lacrosse, and Field Hockey Fields 405
14.1 Introduction 405
14.2 Design 406
14.3 Construction 412
14.4 Renovation 412
14.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 415
14.6 Rules and Regulations 421
Part 3 Other Sports Surfaces 431
15 Tennis Courts 433
15.1 Introduction 433
15.2 Design 434
15.3 Construction 439
15.4 Renovation 440
15.5 Maintenance 442
15.6 Rules and Regulations 444
16 Track and Field Facilities 447
16.1 Introduction 447
16.2 Design 448
16.3 Track Construction 455
16.4 Track Renovation 456
16.5 Track Maintenance 456
16.6 Rules and Regulations 457
17 Synthetic Turf 461
17.1 Introduction 461
17.2 History and Innovations 462
17.3 Choosing the Right Manufacturer and Installer 464
17.4 Care and Maintenance 465
Part 4 Ancillary Information 475
18 Surveying the Grade 477
18.1 Introduction 477
18.2 Surveying Equipment 478
18.3 Establishing Elevations 481
19 Sand-Based Rootzones 485
19.1 Introduction 485
19.2 Considerations When Selecting a Sand-Based Rootzone 487
19.3 Sand-Based Rootzone Requirements 490
19.4 Maintenance 499
20 Paints and Covers 507
20.1 Introduction 507
20.2 Paints 508
20.3 Covers 515
21 Field Evaluation and Turfgrass Assessment 521
21.1 Introduction 521
21.2 Components of Field Quality 521
21.3 Aesthetic Appeal and Quality 522
21.4 Ball and Player Response as Affected by Surface Characteristics 523
21.5 Testing Equipment to Evaluate the Playing Surface 524
22 Safety 531
22.1 Introduction 531
22.2 Player Safety and Performance 531
22.3 Spectator Safety 532
22.4 Designing for Safety 534
22.5 Safety Concerns During Construction and Renovation 535
22.6 Maintaining a Safe Facility 535
23 Environmental Stewardship, Resource Conservation, and Sustainability 539
23.1 Introduction 539
23.2 Environmental Stewardship 540
23.3 Resource Conservation 541
23.4 Sustainability 549
24 Innovations Designed to Promote Natural Grass Fields 555
24.1 Introduction 555
24.2 Lighting 555
24.3 Enhanced Turfgrass Performance 556
24.4 Instant Field Replacement 558
24.5 Wireless Technology, Remote Sensing, and Predictive Models 562
25 Public Relations and Professionalism 565
25.1 Introduction 565
25.2 Public Relations 565
25.3 Professionalism 570
Appendix 573
Glossary 585
Index 597
