UNIT V I

Sports Turf &

Turf Irrigation

Sports Turf

Turf Irrigation

By Jack Rudolph
Unit VI Lawn Care and Turf Production Table of Content

U nit VI

Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation

Unit VI Introduction 3
Section A Sports Turf
Lesson 1 Career Opportunities in the Sports Turf Industry 4
Lesson 2 Types of Sports Field and Management 14
Lesson 3 Turfgrasses Used for Sports Fields 24

Section B T u r f I r r i g a t i o n
Lesson 4 Are You on the Level? 31
Lesson 5 Be There and Be Square 36
Lesson 6 So, You Wanna Play Ball 45
Lesson 7 Cover It - Like the Dew Covers Dixie (Completely) 53
Lesson 8 Into Every Life, A Little Rain Must Fall
(If You Want It to Live) 62
Lesson 9 Drawing Conclusions 69
Lesson 10 Dousing for Dollars 74
Lesson 11 Captain, I Don’t Have the Power 80
Lesson 12 Let It Flow, Let It Flow, Let It Flow 87
Lesson 13 Take Control 94
Lesson 14 Bring in the Replacements 100
Glossary 107
Resources and References 112

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Introduction

Introduction
Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation

Welcome to the Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Unit. This unit is designed to provide
students with general knowledge about sports fields and turf irrigation.
The sports field management and turf irrigation industry along with varied support
industries provide career opportunities. After studying this unit, the students should
be able to identify the career opportunities in these fields, acquire basic knowledge,
and learn practices in sports turf and turf irrigation. The basic principles and concepts
are explained thoroughly in these lessons. The information in this unit is derived from
numerous books, publications, and practical experiences of professionals.
This unit is further divided into two sections: Sports Turf, and Turf Irrigation. The
14 lessons designed in this unit cover all the basic aspects of sports turf and turf
irrigation. Because of the similarity to lawn care and golf course management, the
information on basic practices, pest controls, and turfgrass management is not
included. Laboratory exercises are provided in these lessons and they are also flexible.
Planned field trips to the sites are encouraged to help students understand the real
situation. Due to the materials, equipment and tools required in certain lessons, such
as irrigation lessons, an early preparation for the unit is needed.
The local green industry and the school grounds are the best resource and site for
teaching these lessons. Involving former and present students who now have careers
or part-time jobs in these fields will further strengthen these lessons. The local
extension services, colleges, and universities with turf programs are additional
resources for teaching these materials. Some of these resources are listed in the
Resources and References of this unit.
Each year, there are several local and national sports turf and turf irrigation related
conferences, field days, and trade shows. It may be practical to take your class to a
professional conference or trade show when it is convenient.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Lesson 1. Career Opportunities in Sports Turf

It Is Demanding and Fun!
Terms
mechanic: a technician responsible for equipment for
sports field including mowers, vehicles, and others National Science
part-time workers: any personnel working for sports Education
field based on pert-time schedule including high school Standards,
Grades 9-12
students
Unifying Concepts
pesticide technician: a technician responsible for pest and Processes:
management and application of pesticides Systems, order, and
organization
sports field irrigation specialist: responsible for
Evidence, models and
irrigation design, installation, maintenance, drainage explanation
system of sports fields
Science as Inquiry:
sports field manager: the supervisor in responsible the Understanding about
maintenance of one sports fields or multiple fields scientific inquiry
requiring proper training in human resource, turfgrass Abilities to do
management, financial management, and sports scientific inquiry
Life Science:
sports field technician: a technician responsible for
maintenance of sports fields with proper training Interdependence of
organisms
Performance Objectives Matter, energy, and
organization in living
The student will systems
• identify the career opportunities in the sports turf Behavior of
industry. organisms
History and Nature of
• be able to describe the job responsibility of any sports Science:
turf crew member. Science as human
endeavor
• understand the training requirement to be a
Nature of scientific
professional in the field of sports turf. knowledge
• use the web site: www.greenindustry.com. Mathematical Skills

Materials Needed
For the class
• Use the profiles and materials provided in the website
and CD-ROM.
For each student
• Student Sheets

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Background Information
Sports turf is a rapid developing industry. Many job opportunities will be
opened the next decade. It is a highly demanding field of research and training
for professionals.
Procedure
1. Ask the students to list things need to be done in sports field.
2. Explain the job responsibilities of the professional sports fields.
3. Introduce the sports field industry.
4. Present the slides of different sport fields.
5. Present the professional organizations of sports fields.
6. Ask students to read the attached sheets: “Career Paths in the Green Industry
Focus − Management” and “Career Paths in the green industry Focus − Lawn
Technician and Sales Rep”
7. Have students finish the student sheet and answer questions.
Reflection
List the career opportunities in sports turf.
What are the training requirements to be sports field technician?
Do you know anyone working as a sports turf professional? If you know
someone, have you talked to him or her recently about his or her job?
Would you consider having a summer job working on a sports field?
Enhancement
• Visit sports turf-related web sites
• Visit sports fields or stadiums.
• Invite sports field manager to make presentation.
Assessment
Determine the students' performance based on
• the degree of accomplishment on the student sheet.
• the performance during the class, experiment, or field trip.
• the participation in the discussion and the reflection questions.
• the degree of accomplishment on the "Scoring Rubric".

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Student Sheet Student________________________Date___________

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN SPORTS TURF

1. Write the definition:
mechanic:

part-time workers:

pesticide technician:

sports field irrigation specialist

sports field manager:

sports field technician:

2. Answer the following questions.

1. Define the responsibility of sports field manager

2. Do you like the job pay in sports field?

3. What do you expect for salary after you graduate from a college?

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Student Fact Sheet Student______________________Date_____________

§ Annual purchases of sports turf products and services is over $1.29 billion on over
2.8 million acres. That's approximately $457 per acre. These figures do not include
salaries.
§ Parks and recreation makes up $480 million in annual purchases while schools are at
$685 million, colleges/universities $71 million, and professional facilities spend
approximately $52 million.
§ Professional sports facilities average approximately 15 acres spending $4,333 per
acre, colleges/universities spend $1,075 per acre on an average of 30 acres, schools
spend $658 per acre on an average of 65 acres, and parks spend an average of $284
per acre over 130 acres.
§ Average annual spending on equipment and supplies at colleges/universities is
$32,300, while parks spend $38,850. Schools spend $42,750 and professional facilities
spend $65,000.
§ The average sports turf manager has worked in the industry for 14 years.
Two in three sports turf managers have a four-year college degree or an advanced
degree.
§ The average crew has 16 full-time staff and five part-time. Seasonal staff average is
approximately nine.
§ It is estimated that there are approximately 16,000 schools, 2,200
colleges/universities, 13,000 parks and 800 professional facilities.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Student Fact Sheet (Reading Material) Student_______________________Date____________

Wildcats Wild About Home Field

by Bob Tracinski

Dan Bergstrom, head groundskeeper for the University of Kentucky Athletics

Association, says, “Cliff Hagan Stadium is in use 235 days each year for baseball
events only. It's the Wildcat's home field. The team's spring practice begins in January
with sessions on the field whenever weather conditions allow it. The spring season
begins in February and we hope it runs through the College World Series in June.
Several high school games are played each spring and the state high school
championships are held here each June. Baseball camps move in for about six weeks
in June and July. August often brings several touring AAU and other youth leagues to
the field. The UK baseball team fall practice season runs from mid-September through
October.
“The University of Kentucky is the northern-most school in the Southeastern
Conference (SEC). With Lexington at the northern edge of the transition zone,
bermudagrass struggles at times to make it through our winters. We opened the ‘97,
‘98 and ‘99 seasons in the snow and usually have to cancel at least one spring game
due to low wind chill factors.”
Bucky Trotter became the university’s first turf manager in 1991. Bergstrom joined the
staff in 1996, after earning his BS degree in Horticulture with a major in turfgrass
management from Iowa State University in 1995 and serving as assistant
groundskeeper with the Cleveland Browns from 1995 to 1996. Bergstrom moved up to
his present position eight months later, when Trotter accepted the position of director
of sports fields and facilities maintenance at the University of South Carolina.
Full-time crew members are: Assistant Superintendent Tommy Davis, with 21 years of
service; Mechanic Dave Thomas, with 17 years of service; Chuck Stivers and Matt
Divine, both with four years of service; and Ryan Hix with two years. This staff, along
with seven part-time employees, is responsible for 53 acres of Athletic Department
grounds.
Bergstrom says, “This crew does a tremendous job of keeping up the standards Bucky
established and putting in the extra effort for our players and coaches. We rotate our
staff members as needed to handle the different fields but, in the early spring,
conditioning the baseball field surface for the team takes priority. In-season routine
maintenance is scheduled in the mornings so the crew can work elsewhere when
practice begins. A five -person crew works the field at game time and performs a quick
fifth-inning drag for college games. As much field preparation as possible is
accomplished post-game.”
Bermudagrass is the base turf for the field, despite the transition zone challenges.
Vamont bermudagrass is used on the infield. The outfield was converted from
Kentucky bluegrass to Quickstand bermudagrass during the summer of 1996 to better
accommodate the heavy field use during the hot summer months.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Bergstrom notes, "We selected Quickstand because it grows quickly when conditions
are right. If it's sunny and 75 degrees Farenheit, we'll not only get growth, but also
lateral development from it. The Vamont needs the full 80 degree temperatures
coupled with the sun to grow well. It may be mid- to late June before temperatures are
consistently in the 80s here.
"The winter of 1997 was a tough one and we lost 90 percent of the Quickstand. When
we transitioned out the perennial ryegrasses that spring, we had little remaining
bermudagrass to get us through the camp season. We resprigged the outfield with
Quickstand in July. Then we purchased enough geotextile blanket to cover the entire
field to protect the bermudagrass from the winter and to keep the overseeded
perennial ryegrass actively growing. We choose the white cover to increase the light
factor. There are 14 sections of cover, and each is labeled for pl acement on the field."
The bermudagrasses are overseeded in late October with a three-way blend of
perennial ryegrasses: Prism, Brightstar II, and Stallion. The blend was selected for its
excellent germination rate, great color, and performance under the geotextile cover.
The college baseball season is played on the perennial ryegrass. Summer camps and
the Wildcats fall practice season are played on the bermudagrasses.
Managing the transition has been a learning curve for Bergstrom and crew. Initially,
they wanted the perennial ryegrasses out by the second week in June for the high
school games, but the bermudagrasses weren't active enough at that point. Now the
transition back to the bermudagrass starts during June, shortly after the Bermuda
has broken dormancy and begins aggressively growing as days near 90 degrees F and
the nights hold in the upper 70s. There may be some perennial ryegrass lingering into
August.
After the college season, the crew steps up cultural practices to wipe out the ryegrass
and encourage the bermudagrass. Fertilization rates increase and infield mowing
height drops from 7/8 to 5/8-inch. They may aerify at a rate of 30 holes per square
foot on a hot June or July day, then top dress and drag the area with the chain drag.
Bergstrom has even tried to induce some dollar spot to weaken the perennial ryegrass
by hitting it with a tenth of a pound of liquid urea around 6 or 7 p.m. when night
temperatures are predicted to remain in the 70 degree range. He says, "It's all about
doing what's be st for the team as opposed to what's best agronomically. The field
exists to serve the players."
The field is covered in late November or early December. When temperatures hit the
low 60s the perennial ryegrass under the cover grows at a rate similar to 75 degrees
uncovered. The covers are removed periodically through mid-January to mow and, if
necessary, to spray for snow mold. The baseball team helps the crew remove and put
on the covers through the winter except during the students' semester break. A 20-
person crew can put on the covers in about 2 hours and remove them in about 45
minutes. The crew's record for removal is 27 minutes.

"Team practice starts as soon as winter break is over. Our team is inside on the
artificial turf while the rest of the SEC teams are out on the field," says Bergstrom. "So
we do everything we can to help get them outside. When it's 40 degrees and sunny we
pull the cover and have the field ready for play.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

"The turf is brittle at lower temperatures so they do some damage. Once we get sun
and temperatures of 45 degrees we can apply a light rate of liquid nitrogen to feed the
leaves to get nutrition to the plants. Soil temperatures are still too low for root update.
We'll fix divots, do some seeding if the perennial ryegrass stand can use it, and spot
spray for snow mold if needed. The winter of 1999-2000 brought only 5 inches of
snow, but it stayed around for about four weeks. It kept the team off the field and we
did get some snowmold. We usually don't do a preventive spray; we just monitor and
spot treat because of budget considerations.
"There's a very small shade factor from the new scoreboard. It runs about 20 feet
inside the warning track extending approximately 100 feet along the track. When the
rest of the field is thawed and blankets are dry, this section will still be frozen to the
ground. Pulling that section of cover also will pull out a little of the perennial ryegrass.
We call it the Velcro effect."
Shively field's infield mix is 60 pe rcent sand, 20 percent native clay and 20 percent
calcined clay. The high sand content provides the drying power that allows the team to
get on the field in January. Even if the skinned area is wet when uncovered at 7:30
a.m., the crew can usually dry it down sufficiently for 2:00 p.m. practice. Two tons of
calcined clay are added each year. One ton is worked into the surface before the
season starts in February; the remainder is used as needed to cope with the inevitable
early spring rains. The crew spends the summer compensating for that skinned area
sand content by putting more water on to keep the desired moisture levels.
Bergstrom says, "The irrigation system was installed in the early 1980s and provides
full coverage of all turf and skinned areas. There are 59 Hunter I-40 and I-25 heads in
15 zones controlled from a Rainbird control box. City water pressure of 65 psi is
increased to 90 psi by our booster pump. Having irrigation on the infield skin saves
many labor hours in the summer. We can get the same results with turning on the
zone for a half hour as compared to five crew members hand watering with hoses for
two hours."
A natural vein of clay was found when the University built their soccer facility three
years ago. For budgetary considerations this is now the source of the mound and
home plate clay. Bergstrom notes, "Straight clay requires different management
techniques. There's a fine line between wet enough and too wet. If it becomes too wet it
can get greasy and slippery."
The infield baselines were converted to grass in the early 1980s to trim maintenance
for the coaches who, at the time, were responsible for field maintenance. The grass
baselines have since become a tradition. They eliminate four lips and cut down on the
chalking. For practices, the crew places heavy grade geotextile around the home plate
area to protect the turf and batting practice tarp on the infield to cut down on wear
from batted balls. They also place artificial turf mats, 8 feet long by 4 feet wide, on the
baseline with one starting at home plate and extending toward first base, and one
starting at third base and extending toward home plate. Bergstrom says, "The rest of
the first base line holds up well because each runner has a little difference in stride
and takes a slightly different line.
"Practices cause more wear than games because of the repetition of drills," Bergstrom
says. "The grass lines are painted once a week during the season. We've determined
the grass lines save our crew five minutes in pre-game raking and chalking. We do

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

resod the first baseline near home plate after each spring season, but the cutouts near
first and third bases keep those areas in good shape."
The field is core aerated with 3/4-inch hollow tines at least twice each summer. All
cores are drug back into the field with a mat drag and the infield is topdressed with
sand once or twice. During the collegiate season, aeration with 1/4-inch solid tines is
used bi -weekly on such traditional wear areas as around the pitcher's mound and
home plate and the turf edges around the infield.
The Vamont outfield is maintained at a 3/4-inch height through the summer and fall.
The Quickstand infield mowing height drops to 5/8-inch through the summer. The
perennial ryegrass is maintained at 7/8-inch through the collegiate baseball season. A
walk-behind reel mower is used on the infield, a ride-on triplex reel mower in the
outfield. The field is mowed five days a week in the spring and daily during the
summer's prime bermudagrass growing cycle.
Preemergence herbi cides are applied for weed control in mid-March as soil
temperatures dictate. Post-emergence spot treatment of grassy weeds is needed
occasionally. No insecticides have been used for the past four years. Though there is
some grub activity, the bermudagrass tolerates it with no noticeable effect.
Balancing nutrition is a perpetual challenge in the transition zone, especially when
funds are limited. Bergstrom uses liquid fertilizers to wake up the turf in February and
March, and even in January when conditions allow it, dissolving urea to apply 1/10 of
a pound of nitrogen (N) per week to stiffen up the leaf blades of the perennial ryegrass.
As the first game approaches, he'll add some iron to improve color. By mid-March, as
soil temperatures reach the mid-50s and into the 60s, he switches to granular
materials. The main fertilization program calls for a balance of nitrogen and potassium
(K) at ¼ pound of N and K per week or 1/2 pound every other week as weather allows.
Phosphorus triggers poa annua and other weeds, so is used only in the 18-24-12
application made when overseeding with perennial ryegrass. In mid-June he switches
to a hotter fertilizer, using either urea or ammonium nitrate at the rate of 1 pound of N
per week for three to six weeks to kick off the bermudagrass and stress the perennial
ryegrass. He then cuts the rate to 1/2 pound every two weeks through November. An
application of slow release N at the rate of 1 pound per thousand square feet is made
around Dec. 1 to maintain the turf until that first January or February fertilization.
Mentoring and networking have provided great support for Bergstrom. He's a former
STMA undergraduate scholarship recipient and he made connections with Trotter at
the STMA Annual Conference in Anaheim. He's keeping up those traditions as well.
He's currently serving as President of the Kentucky Turfgrass Council and is an active
member of STMA. Bergstrom says, "This industry is a complex mix of science and art.
Everything we can share with each other makes our fields that much better for the
athletes and that's what it's all about."

Bob Tracinski is the business communications manager for the John Deere Worldwide
Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. He serves
as public relations co-chair for the STMA .

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

Sports Field
Career Profile Manager

A sports field manager is a professional who supervises the maintenance crew

for a sports field facility to maintain the field(s) to the desired level of playability. A
sports field manager has sound skills and knowledge about the nature of sports, human
resource management, turfgrass management, and financial and business
management. Most sports field managers have a college degree in turfgrass science
and management or related areas. Most sports field managers have an experience of
an assistant manager before they became a manager.

Similar to many other professionals, the national organization is Sports Turf

Managers Association (STMA, http://www.sportsturfmanager.com), which is the largest
organization of this kind with thousands of members in the country including
international members. In the last 20 years, STMA has served its members for their
education, conferences, trade shows, and many other activities to promote their
profession.

After examination and evaluation by the STMA Certification Program, an

experienced sports turf manager with a five-year working experience as a manager, is
qualified to apply for the certification to become a Certified Sports Field Manager
(CSFM), which is a life time title.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 1

A SCORING RUBRIC Name ________________Date _____________

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN SPORTS TURF

The purpose of this

lesson was

The main method(s)

or procedure(s) we
learned was (were)

The best example(s)

that I can use to
describe the content
of this lesson

Subjects or courses
that I can relate this
lesson to

The information of
this lesson can be
applied to

In summary, what I
learned

13
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

Lesson 2. Types of Sports Fields and Management

You May See Them Every Day
Terms
football field: a field with a dimension of 300 by 165 National Science
feet for the game of football normally covered with turf Education
Standards,
baseball and softball field: a field occupies an area
Grades 9-12
between 1.4 to 4.5 acres normally covered with turf and
Unifying Concepts and
special clay for the skinned areas Processes:
skinned area: the bare ground area of a baseball field Systems, order, and
organization
soccer field: a field with a dimension of 300 to 360 by
Evidence, models and
160 to 225 feet for the game of soccer normally cove red explanation
with turf Science as Inquiry:
Performance Objectives Understanding about
scientific inquiry
The student will
Abilities to do
• identify the three main types of sports fields. scientific inquiry
Life Science:
• explain the three critical features in sports field
Interdependence of
management. organisms
• describe the dimensions of a football field, baseball field, Matter, energy, and
and soccer field. organization in living
systems
Materials Needed Behavior of organisms

For the class History and Nature of

Science:
• the school sports field(s) Science as human
endeavor
For each small group of students Nature of scientific
knowledge
• None Mathematical Skills
For each student

• Student sheets
Background Information
Sports fields are an integral part of school activities. A
well-designed and maintained sports field should have
three major features: proper drainage, proper
irrigation system, and proper turfgrass maintenance
program. Sports fields are among the most difficult turf
areas to manage due to intensive traffic and game
schedule pressure, which often does give enough time
for a field to recover from damage. Sports field
management is high demanding profession and it has
become a major component of the turf industry.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

A sports field requires both surface and subsurface drainage. The soil mix is
critical for a sports field. Artificial root zone mix has become common for new
sports fields. Native clay types of soil cause more problems for drainage and
sand base fields are preferred. Figure 1, and 2 show (lesson 5) both surface
and subsurface drainage of a football field.
Football fields. Unlike soccer field, the turf surface rarely functions for ball
rolling and the turf mainly is used to protect players from injury and a platform
for movement. The traditional football season starts late summer and runs to
November. It can be a challenge for warm-season turfgrass fields.
The normal football field dimension is 300 feet long and 160 feet wide (over an
acre) with a middle crown of 12 to 18 inches. The best warm-season turfgrass
is bermudagrass. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass or the mix of
these two are most commonly used in cooler regions.
The basic turfgrass management include mowing, irrigation, fertilization, pest
control, aeration, topdressing, winter over-seeding, and thatch control.
Baseball fields and softball fields. Baseball fields and softball fields are
sensitive to water due to the skinned areas (bare ground). The maintenance of
the edge between turf areas and bare ground is a challenge. A 90 foot bases
baseball field occupies about 4.5 acres of field. A softball field needs a area
between 1.4 to 2.4 acres. Skinned areas require special clays and the
maintenance of those areas is critical for the quality of a baseball field.
The turf area receive less traffic impact in comparison of football fields.
However, the basic management practices are all required baseball fields and
softball fields.
The basic turfgrass management include mowing, irrigation, fertilization, pest
control, aeration, topdressing, winter over-seeding, and thatch control.
Soccer fields. Soccer fields require flat turf surface for ball rolling and frequent
changes of directions of player’s movement. Surface and subsurface drainage
are still critical for soccer fields. A typical soccer field should have a dimension
300 to 360 feet long and 165 to 225 feet wide.
The basic turfgrass management include mowing, irrigation, fertilization, pest
control, aeration, topdressing, winter over-seeding, and thatch control.
Teacher Preparation
• Revisit the school sports fields
• Prepare student sheet
Procedure
1. Introduce football fields
Ø The field dimension
Ø The proper surface and subsurface drainage
Ø The importance of irrigation systems
Ø The turfgrass maintenance programs

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

2. Introduce baseball and softball fields

Ø The field dimension
Ø The proper surface and subsurface drainage
Ø The importance of irrigation systems
Ø The turfgrass maintenance programs
3. Introduce soccer fields
Ø The field dimension
Ø The proper surface and subsurface drainage
Ø The importance of irrigation systems
Ø The turfgrass maintenance programs
4. Field exercises: ask the students to take a note of the school fields based on the
following categories:
Ø Type of field
Ø Type of turfgrass
Ø Surface and subsurface drainage design
Ø Irrigation systems
5. Suggested activity: invite the coach or an individual, who is responsible for the
maintenance of the field(s) to discuss their management practices.
Reflection
Which type of fields are more difficult to maintain? Why?
Describe the field conditions and discuss the part you like and the part you do
not like. Why? Solutions?
Describe a famous stadium close to your location.
Enhancement
• Visit professional sports fields
• Read articles from turf magazines about sports turfgrasses
Assessment
Determine the students' performance based on
• the degree of accomplishment on the student sheet.
• the performance during the class, experiment, or field trip.
• the participation of the discussion and the reflection questions.
• the degree of accomplishment on the "Scoring Rubric".

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

STUDENT FACT SHEET Student ________________ Date____________

TYPE OF SPORTS FIELDS AND MANAGEMENT

1. Proper drainage, proper irrigation system, and proper turfgrass

maintenance program are the three keys to maintain a sports field.

2. Football fields are difficult to maintain due to the very high intensity of
traffic damage to the middle area of the field.
3. The main challenge to maintain a baseball field or a softball field is the
edge are between turf areas and skinned areas.
4. The flat surface is critical for a soccer field.
5. The basic turfgrass management of sports fields include mowing,
irrigation, fertilization, pest control, aeration, topdressing, winter over-
seeding, and thatch control.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

STUDENT SHEET Student ________________ Date____________

TYPES OF SPORTS FIELDS AND MANAGEMENT

1. Write the definition:

football field:

baseball and softball field:

skinned area:

soccer field:

2. Compare the management of a football field, a baseball field and a soccer field.

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

3. Fill in the following table

Football fields Baseball fields Soccer Fields

Dimension
range

The proper
turfgrasses

The challenge
of
management

The note take

from the visit
to the school
field(s)

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

A SCORING RUBRIC Name ________________Date _____________

TURFGRASS USED IN SPORTS TURF

The purpose of this

lesson was

The main method(s)

or procedure(s) we
learned was (were)

The best example(s)

that I can use to
describe the content
of this lesson

Subjects or courses
that I can relate this
lesson to

The information of
this lesson can be
applied to

In summary, what I
learned

20
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

Figure 1. A Football Field

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

Figure 2. A Baseball field

22
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 2

Figure 3. A Soccer field

23
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

Lesson 3. The Turfgrasses Used for Sports Fields

and the Management
They Must Be Touch
Terms
bermudagrass: warm-season turfgrass with strong National Science
rhizomes and stolons with excellent wear tolerance Education
creeping bentgrass: a cool-season turfgrass with strong Standards,
Grades 9-12
stolons and excellent low mowing tolerance
Unifying Concepts and
growth habit: there three growth types of turfgrasses: Processes:
stoloniferous, rhizomatous, and bunch-type Systems, order, and
organization
Kentucky bluegrasses: a cool-season turfgrass with
Evidence, models and
strong rhizomes with moderate wear tolerance and slow explanation
establishment Science as Inquiry:
perennial ryegrass: a cool-season turfgrass with Understanding about
excellent wear tolerance without rhizomes and stolons scientific inquiry

tall fescue: cool-season turfgrass with excellent wear Abilities to do

scientific inquiry
tolerance adapted to the transition zone
Life Science:
Performance Objectives Interdependence of
organisms
The student will
Matter, energy, and
• identify the four major turfgrasses used for sports fields. organization in living
systems
• learn to describe the major characteristics of each Behavior of organisms
sports turfgrass.
History and Nature of
Science:
• understand the use of different turfgrasses for different
sports fields. Science as human
endeavor
Materials Needed Nature of scientific
knowledge
For the class
Mathematical Skills
• The turfgrass photos provided
For each small group of students

• None
For each student

• Student sheets
Background Information
In warm climatic zones, bermudagrass is the dominated
sports turfgrass. Kentucky bluegrass and perennial
ryegrass are the major cool-season sports turfgrasses. Tall

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

fescue and cold tolerant bermudagrass are the sports

turfgrasses for the transition zone.
The most important feature of a good sports field turfgrass is its wear tolerance
and a rapid recovery rate. That is also the main reason why there are only fewer
turfgrasses suitable for sorts fields.
Teacher Preparation
• Review the web sites and slides provided
• Prepare student sheet
Procedure
1. Introduce the major sports turfgrass - warm-season turfgrass
Bermudagrass:
Ø Mowing height: 1/8 to 2"
Ø Sports used: all sports
Ø Establishment method: sprigs, seed, or sod
Ø Optimum establishment time: Spring and summer
Ø Common Problem: Winter kill in the transition zone
2. Introduce the major sports turfgrass - cool-season turfgrass
Kentucky bluegrass:
Ø Mowing height: 1.5 to 3"
Ø Sports used: Baseball, football, and soccer
Ø Establishment method: seeds or sod
Ø Optimum establishment time: late summer and fall
Ø Common Problem: Slow recovery rate
3. Introduce the major sports turfgrass - cool-season turfgrass
tall fescue:
Ø Mowing height: 1.5 to 3"
Ø Sports used: Baseball, football, and soccer
Ø Establishment method: seeds or sod
Ø Optimum establishment time: late summer and fall
Ø Common Problem: bunch type
4. Introduce the major sports turfgrass - cool-season turfgrass
perennial ryegrass:
Ø Mowing height: 1.5 to 3"
Ø Sports used: Baseball, football, and soccer
Ø Establishment method: seeds or sod

25
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

Ø Optimum establishment time: late summer and fall

Ø Common Problem: lacking stolons and rhizomes
5. Introduce the major sports turfgrass - cool-season turfgrass
creeping bentgrass:
Ø Mowing height: 1/8 - 1/4"
Ø Sports used: tennis, lawn bowling, and croquet
Ø Establishment method: seeds or sod
Ø Optimum establishment time: late summer and fall
Ø Common Problem: limited use and high disease potential
Reflection
Why are only fewer turfgrasses suitable for sports fields?
What is the most important feature of a good sports field turfgrass?
Did you know the types of turfgrass of your school sports fields?
Enhancement
Ask students
• Visit more sports fields or a professional fields
• Read articles from turf magazines about sports turfgrasses
Assessment
Determine the students' performance based on
• the degree of accomplishment on the student sheet.
• the performance during the class, experiment, or field trip.
• the participation of the discussion and the reflection questions.
• the degree of accomplishment on the "Scoring Rubric".

26
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

STUDENT FACT SHEET Student ________________ Date____________

THE TURFGRASSES FOR SPORTS FIELDS AND THE MANAGEMENT

1. Bermudagrass is the most popular sports turfgrass in the southern and

transition zones

2. Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue are used for the
sports fields in the northern states.
3. Tall fescue is also used as the sports turfgrass in the transition zone.
4. Creeping bentgrass is only used for tennis, bowling and croquet.
5. A sports turfgrass should have features of good wear tolerance and rapid
recovery from damage.

27
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

STUDENT SHEET Student ________________ Date____________

THE TURFGRASSES FOR SPORTS FIELDS AND THE MANAGEMENT

1. Write the definition:
bermudagrass:

creeping bentgrass:

growth habit:

Kentucky bluegrasses:

perennial ryegrass:

tall fescue:

2. Fill in the tabl es

Table 1. Turfgrass Selection for Sports Fields

Football Soccer Baseball Tennis Lawn Croquet

bowling
Bermuda
grass
Kentucky
bluegrass
Tall fescue
Creeping
bentgrass
Perennial
ryegrass

28
Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

Table 2. Turfgrass Characteristics Used for Sports Fields

Mowing Establishment Optimum Common

method Establishment problems
height
time
Bermuda
grass
Kentucky
bluegrass
Tall fescue
Creeping
bentgrass
Perennial
ryegrass

Table 3. Turfgrass Characteristics Used for Sports Fields

Irrigation Fertilization Recuperative speed

requirement requirement
Bermuda
grass
Kentucky
bluegrass
Tall fescue

Creeping
bentgrass
Perennial
ryegrass

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Unit VI Sports Turf and Turf Irrigation Lesson 3

A SCORING RUBRIC Name ________________Date _____________

TURFGRASS USED IN SPORTS TURF

The purpose of this

lesson was

The main method(s)

or procedure(s) we
learned was (were)

The best example(s)

that I can use to
describe the content
of this lesson

Subjects or courses
that I can relate this
lesson to

The information of
this lesson can be
applied to

In summary, what I
learned

30