Arriving at a game or practice only to discover a waterlogged and unplayable field is a frustrating experience for athletes. Rainy weather disrupts game day, disappoints fans, and poses risks to artificial turf, pitching mounds, and other playing surfaces, rendering them unsafe and unusable. Thankfully, sports field liners and covers have revolutionized the playing experience, ensuring optimal conditions for athletes at all levels, regardless of the weather.
The Importance of Optimal Playing Conditions for Athletes
Optimal playing conditions are vital for the safety and performance of athletes. Playing on saturated or muddy fields increases the risk of injuries and hampers athletes' ability to showcase their skills. Athletic field rain covers and liners play a crucial role in preserving the quality of both natural and synthetic playing surfaces, preventing slipperiness and hazards. By maintaining optimal playing conditions, athletes can perform at their best and stay safe, regardless of their sport.
The Many Roles of Field Tarps, Covers, and Liners
Field tarps, covers, and liners are essential both for preserving the field for play and maintaining the venue for fundraising and community events. Sun, rain, snow, and even athletes' cleats can cause significant damage to well-manicured fields, so investing in the appropriate tarp or cover is a small price to protect the field's integrity and ensure its long-term usability. From football and baseball to soccer and golf courses, using tarps, covers, and liners is a widespread practice to safeguard the playing surface and the community's interests.
What are Athletic Field Covers?
Athletic field covers, or rain covers, are specialized protective tarps designed to shield athletic fields from the damaging effects of rain and other inclement weather conditions. Made from durable materials such as polyethylene or PVC, these covers are waterproof and tear-resistant, ensuring optimal protection for the field.
How do Athletic Field Rain Covers Work?
When installed, athletic field rain covers create a barrier between the field and the elements, preventing water from seeping into the ground and causing damage or instability on the playing field. The covers completely cover the field's surface. They are secured using stakes or weights to ensure they stay in position even during windy conditions and to prevent water from seeping underneath.
A cover also reduces or eliminates the drying time needed before games resume. For example, while umpires typically allow a baseball game to be played in steady, light, or even moderate rain, they'll suspend the match if water begins to pool on the field or heavy rain starts. Effective rain covers can make the difference between delaying that critical game or canceling it altogether.
Benefits of Using Athletic Field Rain Covers
The benefits of using athletic field rain covers are numerous:
- They preserve the quality of the field by preventing it from becoming saturated and muddy, thus extending its lifespan.
- Rain covers save time and money by reducing the need for extensive repairs and maintenance of waterlogged fields.
- These covers ensure a consistent playing surface regardless of the weather conditions, minimizing the risk of injuries and maximizing performance.
- Athletic field rain covers are versatile and can be used in various sports, making them a valuable investment for sports facilities.
What are Geosynthetic Liners for Athletic Field Drainage?
An effective stormwater management system is crucial for athletic fields to prevent flooding and maintain optimal playing conditions. One key component of this type of system is the geosynthetic liner, which is a simple yet effective geomembrane designed to aid in the recycling of stormwater while preventing water from saturating the soil and creating soft and muddy ground.
These liners are part of a carefully engineered system that typically includes layers of sand, geotextile, turf, and pipes. The liners, made from high-quality resins using advanced machinery, are impermeable and prevent water from seeping into the ground. Instead, rainwater is directed to flow smoothly to a reservoir or treatment area, where it can be stored for emergency use or irrigation.
Reinforced polyethylene (RPE) is a commonly used material for athletic field liners due to its excellent impermeability and effectiveness in preventing water seepage. By incorporating sports field liners into an overall maintenance strategy, athletic fields can withstand frequent use, drain quickly, and avoid the need for expensive repairs caused by damage from heavy storms and intense rainfall.
Sports field liners are crucial in providing stability, drainage, and protection to the field surface. They act as moisture barriers, prevent soil erosion, and facilitate efficient stormwater management. By capturing stormwater and controlling runoff, they help prevent flooding and ensure that athletic fields maintain optimal playing conditions regardless of weather conditions.
Water Management for Synthetic Sports Turf vs. Natural Grass Athletic Fields
Natural Grass
There are two main types of natural grass fields: native soil and sand-based. Native soil fields use the soil found at the site, while modified native soil fields have been altered to improve their performance. Sand-based fields involve removing the native dirt and replacing it with a drainage system and a layer of drainage media, typically stone and sand.
Native soil fields rely entirely on gravity-based surface drainage and a carefully graded crown across the playing area, which directs water to perimeter drainage trenches. Ultimately, the choice of soil-based or sand-based drainage for a natural grass field should be based on the soil type in the area.
Both types of natural grass fields have advantages depending on the situation. However, native soil fields often face drainage issues, as they tend to absorb water slowly and struggle to handle large amounts. Poorly drained soil can lead to muddy, worn, and unusable fields. Ultimately, the choice should be made based on the drainage characteristics of the local soil.
Artificial Sports Turf
Since synthetic turf is installed over specialized drainage systems designed to handle heavy water accumulation, the risk of flooding is significantly reduced. While some puddles may still form on the field during extreme rain events, underground pipes ensure that water continues to drain even after the rain has stopped, resulting in a quicker and more even drying process. In fact, most types of synthetic turf can drain up to 30 inches per hour per square yard, allowing play to resume shortly after heavy rain.
