J. Michael Goatley

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).

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 facilitiesOffers new chapters on safety, public relations, and professionalism for future sports field managersIncludes new illustrations and photos of innovative field layout, grading, irrigation, and drainageContains the most recent information on sand-based field systems and synthetic turfPresents 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.

Complete guidelines and specifications for designing, building, and maintaining baseball and softball fields Baseball and Softball Fields is a hands-on tool for everyone responsible for the maintenance and management of baseball and softball facilities, including new construction and reconstruction projects. Packed with in-depth material on the design, construction, and maintenance of baseball and softball fields, this practical resource offers real-world knowledge from industry experts, including Major League groundskeepers. Other useful information includes guidelines, specifications, and tips for keeping playing fields in top-notch condition. Leading professionals demonstrate the proven techniques and best practices they use year after year to overcome common problems, from cosmetic fixes for damaged turfgrass to spot drainage systems for wet spots on a field. Written in nontechnical language that professionals can quickly understand, the step-by-step guidelines in this book can be swiftly implemented without any background in field design, turfgrass management, or soil science. From recreational fields to state-of-the-art stadiums, coverage addresses a variety of useful topics for a broad range of ballparks, including: *Stadium and field design *Fences, dugouts, and bullpens *Drainage and irrigation *Soil selection *Turf management *Field aesthetics *Renovation *Skinned-area maintenance With material addressing all three growing zones in North America–the warm season, the transitional, and the cool season–Baseball and Softball Fields is a potent resource for builders, managers, and groundskeepers of all types of baseball and softball fields.