Sports Fields Design, Construction, and Maintenance

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.

JAMES C. PUHALLA is experienced in the sports field industry, specializing in the design, construction, renovation, and maintenance of sports fields and athletic facilities.

JEFFREY V. KRANS, PhD.,??is a former Professor of Agronomy at Mississippi State University, is a turfgrass breeding and physiology specialist.

J. MICHAEL GOATLEY, JR. PhD., is a Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist with years of research and teaching experience in sports turf management at Mississippi State University and Virginia Tech.

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

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