Photo courtesy of Foresite Design, Inc.
By Mary Helen Sprecher
From AEDs to concussion awareness to heat protocols, safety measures always seem to be headline news, particularly for those in the sports industry.
But how about those in the sports field management industry? While first aid and health measures are essential( and should be at the forefront of any plan), it’ s time to look at the steps that can be taken to safeguard fields and facilities themselves— and by extension, the athletes who use them.
AFTER HOURS The job of keeping the field safe doesn’ t stop when the players go home. In fact, it is essential to think about what goes on when personnel are not onsite— after all, there are plenty of concerns about break-ins, vandalism and other problems.
However, it’ s not always a question of locking gates or setting alarms. Because fields fall into so many different categories( public facilities in parks; school fields at the elementary, high school and college levels; sports parks for tournaments; and even facilities for professional teams), there is no one solution that will work for everyone.
Deciding on an effective safety and security plan, therefore, takes into consideration the facility, the setting, the budget, and any risks that can be identified. In all cases, a multilayered approach is best
FENCING Keeping fields safe starts at the perimeter. Fencing around ballparks prevents unwanted foot traffic on the field and defines the boundaries to players. According to the Major League Baseball( MLB) website, the average height of outfield fencing is 8 feet; however, lower heights are often found at amateur and recreational level fields.
To keep athletes and officials as safe as possible when on the field, metal chain-link fence material should be on the inside of the fence, with the rails to the outside, so as to avoid injury should an individual collide with the fence in the heat of the game.
18 SportsField Management | June 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com