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Designing an Athletic Field Fence

  • Post category:Fencing Tips

Need a fence for an athletic field? Fences make a sporting field more secure by keeping spectators and players apart. In some sports, such as baseball, the right fence is essential to protect against injuries and property damage.

Designing an athletic field fence is about more than safety. Since no sport is complete without fans, a good fence allows an unobstructed view of the field.

In most cases, a chain link fence is the right choice. These fences stand up to fly balls, enthusiastic spectators and all kinds of wear and tear. The wire mesh allows for an open view. Chain link is versatile, which makes it a good choice when designing an athletic field fence.

Baseball and Softball

A fast-flying baseball or softball can do a lot of harm. It can smash windows and hurt people. Players sometimes lose their grip and send a bat through the air.

A fence along the side of the field should be around 4 to 6 feet tall. Backstops must be tall to protect spectators. Backstops are typically made of separate sections, each about 30 feet wide and 25 feet high. They may have an overhang.

Outfield fencing should have a bright tubing on the top rail. This helps players see the top of the fence. The tubing also pads the rail, protecting players that collide with the fence. An outfield needs a fence about 6 feet high.

Dugouts typically have front railings but may also be completely enclosed. If your field has a bullpen it needs to be surrounded by an approximately 8 foot tall fence with an attached privacy screen.

Football and Track and Field

Middle schools, high schools and colleges often have a field with more than one function. A common setup is a football field surrounded by a running track.

A fence around a track should be at least 4 feet tall. Four feet is tall enough to keep people and animals from wandering onto the field during play. If you need to lock up the facility, you’ll have to install a taller fence that can’t be easily scaled.

The field will need several different types of gates. Plan to have gates that allow access to mowers and other maintenance vehicles. You should also install gates where players and coaches enter the field and at spectator entrances. Each gate can have a different design to suit its function.

Colored vinyl coating dresses up a plain chain link fence. You may want colored or ornamental fencing in areas that face a road or entrance to the playing field.

Tennis Courts

A tennis court needs a tall fence. A 10 foot tall fence is ideal.  Fences at this height need a horizontal middle rail along with the standard top and bottom rails. The mesh needs to be woven small enough to prevent balls from getting lodged in the fence. If you want to protect your court from wind, you can install screening. Tennis courts often feature colored vinyl coating.

We Offer Custom Designs for Your Field

These are just a few of the types of fences we can design and install. We also build fences for soccer fields, swimming pools, and protective netting for a variety of sports. We’ll customize an athletic field fence for your venue.

If you need a fence, please contact us for more information.