Sports Fields - Design, Construction, and Maintenance

Leading text on sports field management, now updated with the latest developments in, and on, the field Sports Fields is a comprehensive reference on the design, construction, renovation, and maintenance of athletic facilities. This book contains numerous illustrative examples of specific design elements of the most popular sports facilities. The book is divided into four parts. Part I discusses turfgrasses, with information on soils and soil science, fertility and fertilizers, mowing, irrigation, drainage, thatch, aeration, and organic field management. Part II discusses natural turfgrass sports fields in baseball, softball, football, rugby, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. Part III discusses other sports surfaces including tennis, track and field, and beach volleyball. Part IV includes ancillary information on surveying, sand-based rootzones, paints and covers, and innovations designed to promote natural grass fields. This Fourth Edition of Sports Fields contains case studies that review best practices and techniques for sports fields ranging from youth and high school fields to fields that are designed for professional athletes. It also includes new content on:

• Usage and affordability of robotic equipment and today's battery-powered equipment
• Successful sports field management practices used in other countries throughout the world, such as hybrid systems - natural plus synthetic, weather information, and safety
• The most recent information on uses of artificial intelligence-based tools for sports field management
• Updates on popular sports played in the US and worldwide, such as Pickleball and Cricket

This new edition of Sports Fields is an ideal blueprint for field managers, designers, and builders for successful sports field projects. This text is also an ideal resource for anyone studying for Sports Field Manager Certification (offered by the Sports Field Management Association, SFMA).

List of contents

About the Authors xi
About the SFMA xiii
Preface xv
Part 1 Turfgrass Field Management 1
1 Turfgrasses 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Biology and Identification 4
1.3 Turfgrass Types 17
1.4 Turfgrass Selection 24
1.5 Using the Two-Map System to Select Turfgrass 27
1.6 Planting Times and Rates 30
1.7 Soil Preparation 33
1.8 Planting Techniques 35
1.9 Establishment 41
1.10 Overseeding Warm-Season Fields 44
1.11 Expanding the Boundaries of Bermudagrass in the
Transition Zone 51
Notes 53
2 Soils and Soil Science 55
2.1 Introduction 55
2.2 Soil as a Medium for Turfgrass 55
3 Fertility and Fertilizers 69
3.1 Introduction 69
3.2 Fertility Testing and Nutrient Requirements 69
3.3 Nutrient Uptake 72
3.4 Soil Reaction 73
3.5 Fertilizer Analysis 75
3.6 Fertilizer Sources 76
3.7 Application Rates and Frequencies 80
3.8 Micronutrients 85
3.9 Biostimulants 86
4 Mowing 89
4.1 Introduction 89
4.2 Types of Mowers 91
4.3 Turfgrass Response 94
4.4 Height and Frequency 94
4.5 Pattern 96
4.6 Clipping Removal 98
4.7 Equipment and Safety 98
4.8 Chemical Growth Regulators 98
5 Irrigation 103
5.1 Introduction 103
5.2 General Principles of Turfgrass Irrigation 104
5.3 Installed Irrigation Systems 104
5.4 Wireless Sensor Technology 118
5.5 The Use of Nonpotable Water for Sports Field Irrigation 119
5.6 Know Your Water Source 119
Notes 120
6 Drainage 121
6.1 Introduction 121
6.2 Surface Drainage 121
6.3 Internal Drainage 124
6.4 Installed Drain Systems 127
6.5 Other Drain System Practices 137
7 Aeration and Topdressing 139
7.1 Introduction 139
7.2 Aerating for Optimal Turf Responses 140
7.3 Aeration Equipment 143
7.4 Topdressing 152
8 Thatch 157
8.1 Introduction 157
8.2 Definition of Thatch 157
8.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Thatch in Sports Fields 158
8.4 How Thatch Develops 160
8.5 Maintaining a Managed Thatch Layer 162
8.6 Reducing Excessive Thatch Buildup 163
9 Abiotic Turfgrass Stresses and Remedies 169
9.1 Introduction 169
9.2 Mechanical Stresses 169
9.3 Environmental Stresses 173
9.4 Summary 176
10 The Most Problematic Pests of Sports Fields 177
10.1 Introduction 177
10.2 Weeds 178
10.3 Diseases 191
10.4 Insects 212
10.5 Choosing Pesticides 233
11 Wise Use of Chemicals 235
11.1 Introduction 235
11.2 The Label is the Law 235
11.3 Planning and Performing Applications 239
11.4 Record Keeping 251
Notes 252
12 Organic Field Management 253
12.1 Introduction 253
12.2 Definitions and Principles of Organic Field Management 254
12.3 Principles and Concepts of Organic Field Management 254
12.4 Making an Adjustment to Organic Field Management 256
12.5 Timing and Site Conditions for Organic Field Management 256
12.6 Organic Field Management Inputs 257
12.7 Compost and Composting 272
12.8 Compost Applications on Sports Fields 273
Part 2 Natural Grass Sports Fields 277
13 Baseball and Softball Fields 281
13.1 Introduction 281
13.2 Design 281
13.3 Construction 303
13.4 Renovation 309
13.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 313
13.6 Rules and Regulations 317
14 Football and Rugby Fields 331
14.1 Introduction 331
14.2 Design 332
14.3 Construction 341
14.4 Renovation 343
14.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 346
14.6 Rules and Regulations 352
14.7 Rugby 354
14.8 Rugby Governing and Sanctioning Bodies 355
15 Soccer, Lacrosse, and Field Hockey Fields 363
15.1 Introduction 363
15.2 Design 364
15.3 Construction 369
15.4 Renovation 370
15.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 372
15.6 Rules and Regulations 375
16 Cricket Fields 385
16.1 Introduction 385
16.2 The Game 385
16.3 The Pitch 386
16.4 The Outfield 395
16.5 Design 396
16.6 Rules and Regulations 403
Notes 405
Additional Reading 406
Part 3 Other Sports Surfaces 407
17 Tennis and Pickleball Courts 409
17.1 Introduction 409
17.2 Design 409
17.3 Construction 411
17.4 Renovation 412
17.5 Maintenance 413
17.6 Rules and Regulations 414
17.7 Pickleball Courts 415
17.8 Pickleball Governing and Sanctioning Bodies 417
18 Track and Field Facilities 419
18.1 Introduction 419
18.2 Design 420
18.3 Track Construction 426
18.4 Track Renovation 427
18.5 Track Maintenance 428
18.6 Rules and Regulations 428
19 Beach Volleyball Courts 431
19.1 Introduction 431
19.2 Beach Volleyball Court Design 431
19.3 Construction and Reconstruction 434
19.4 Renovation 435
19.5 Maintenance and Management Procedures 436
19.6 Rules and Regulations 436
20 Synthetic Turf 439
20.1 Introduction 439
20.2 History of Synthetic Turf 440
20.3 Choosing the Right Manufacturer and Installer 441
20.4 Care and Maintenance 442
21 Hybrid Systems - Natural Plus Synthetic 453
21.1 Introduction 453
21.2 Evolution of Hybrid Turf 454
21.3 The New Generation Hybrid System 454
21.4 Other Uses for Hybrid Systems 458
21.5 Conclusion 458
Part 4 Ancillary Information 459
22 Surveying 461
22.1 Introduction 461
22.2 Surveying Equipment 462
22.3 Establishing Elevations 465
22.4 Percent of Slope 468
23 Sand-Based Rootzones 469
23.1 Introduction 469
23.2 Considerations When Selecting a Sand-Based Rootzone 471
23.3 Sand-Based Rootzone Requirements 474
23.4 Maintenance 483
Notes 489
24 Weather Information 491
24.1 Introduction 491
24.2 Weather Components 491
24.3 Benefits of Weather-Based Management 494
24.4 Collecting and Using Weather Data 495
24.5 Conclusion 501
25 Robotic Technology 503
25.1 Introduction 503
25.2 Robotic Mowers 503
25.3 Robotic Painters 509
25.4 Conclusion 511
26 Innovations Designed to Promote Natural Grass Fields 513
26.1 Introduction 513
26.2 Lighting 513
26.3 Enhanced Turfgrass Performance 515
26.4 Instant Field Replacement 517
26.5 Wireless Technology, Remote Sensing, Predictive Models, and Artificial Intelligence 519
26.6 Conclusion 524
27 Paints and Covers 527
27.1 Introduction 527
27.2 Paints 528
27.3 Covers 535
Notes 541
28 Safety 543
28.1 Introduction 543
28.2 Player Safety and Performance 543
28.3 Spectator Safety 544
28.4 Designing for Safety 546
28.5 Safety Concerns During Construction and Renovation 547
28.6 Maintaining A Safe Facility 547
29 SFMA - Promoting Safe Fields and Sound Management 551
29.1 Introduction 551
29.2 Organization 552
29.3 Programs 553
29.4 Safe 559
29.5 So, Why SFMA? 560
Appendix 561
Glossary 573
Index 585

About the author

James C. Puhalla, is a former design-build contractor who has designed and/or built new sports fields and developed plans to restore existing ones throughout the US and Canada. Currently, Jim reviews design and construction documents to identify errors or suggest improvements. With almost 50 years of experience in sports field design, construction, and maintenance, he has coauthored five books alongside Dr. Jeffrey Krans and Dr. Michael Goatley Jr. Through seminars and speaking engagements, he shares insights to help others develop safer and more functional sports facilities. Jeffrey V. Krans, is a former Professor of Agronomy at Mississippi State University in the Golf and Sports Turf Management program. He received his PhD from Michigan State University in 1975, an MS degree from the University of Arizona in 1973, and his BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1970. Jeff taught and advised students in the Golf and Sports Turf Management program, and conducted research in turfgrass breeding and physiology from 1975 to 2002. Jeff remains an avid supporter of high-quality natural turfgrass for safe sports for participants and spectators. J. Michael Goatley, Jr, is Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech. He taught and advised students in the Golf and Sports Turf Management program at Mississippi State from 1988 to 2003 before moving to Virginia Tech. Mike serves as the outreach coordinator for agronomic turfgrass sciences in Virginia, and his research interests focus on turfgrass selection and management strategies that promote environmental stewardship. He has been engaged in teaching, research, and outreach in turfgrass science for almost 4 decades and is a Past-President of SFMA.

Product details

• Authors: J Michael Goatley, J. Michael Goatley, Jeffrey V Krans, Krans Jeffrey V., James C Puhalla, James C. Puhalla, James C. (Sportscape International Puhalla
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 04.03.2026
• EAN: 9781394281473
• ISBN: 978-1-394-28147-3
• No. of pages: 524
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Architecture; Architecture, GARDENING / Landscape, ARCHITECTURE / Landscape, Landscape gardening, Landscape architecture and design