Athletic field fences play a crucial role in the organization, safety, and security of sporting events. These fences provide crowd control, venue security, and safety for both players and spectators. Typically made of chain-link, athletic field fences help to differentiate specific areas of sporting fields, ensuring that everyone remains in their designated space.
Whether the fence screens athletes or protects viewers, the fence is an integral part of any sporting venue. The type of fencing used depends largely on the venue and the level of play. Sports like football, baseball, softball, and tennis all rely heavily on fencing for various purposes, making field fences an important consideration in facility design and maintenance.
Contents
Football Field Fences
In high school football, field fences are used primarily to separate players and spectators. These fences usually surround the track that often encircles the football field. The fences are generally four feet high and are made from chain-link material. For aesthetics and durability, these chain-link fences are often PVC coated in various colors. High school football fields also typically have double drive gates and maintenance access gates located at the ends of the running track. These gates allow easy access for maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles. Additionally, four-foot pedestrian gates are installed where players and coaches enter the field of play. On the side of the stadium that parallels the road, an attractive ornamental fence is often used. This enhances the overall appearance of the venue and gives a professional look to the facility. Specialty fencing is also used on the edge of the bleachers, ensuring that spectators (especially children) do not slip through the railings and onto the field or track. While most professional football stadiums do not use fencing within the field area, railings are often used to separate players and fans, providing a similar level of safety and security. |
 |
Baseball Field Fences
Baseball fields are among the most common venues for athletic field fences, and they often use a variety of fencing types to serve different purposes. The sideline perimeters of baseball fields are typically fenced with four to six-foot-high chain-link fences, which help to keep spectators safe and establish clear boundaries. Backstops are one of the most prominent fencing features on a baseball field. They are constructed using specialty fencing that often consists of three separate sections, each approximately 30 feet wide and 25 feet high, depending on the design. These backstops are built with an overhang to prevent foul balls from hitting spectators. The outfield fences are usually six feet high and are often topped with bright yellow tubing. This tubing serves as a visual marker, helping players gauge a safe distance when tracking fly balls, and it also reduces the risk of injury by providing a softer edge compared to the metal top rail of the fence. Depending on dugout designs, fences can be attached to the front railings, or the dugout can be a complete chain-link enclosure. Bullpens are also enclosed using chain-link fences, which can be up to eight feet tall and are often screened with fabric to provide privacy for the players. Batting cages are another key feature of baseball field fences, and they are usually made from thicker six-gauge chain-link material. This ensures durability, as the fences are subjected to heavy wear and tear during batting practice. A relatively new addition to baseball field fences is the "batter's eye" screening. This fence add-on is usually positioned in the center of the outfield fence and consists of a screen that is about 20 feet tall and 140 feet wide. The purpose of the batter's eye is to provide the batter with a clear, undistracted view of the ball as it comes from the pitcher, ensuring the white baseball stands out against a dark background. |
 |
Tennis Court Fences
Tennis is another sport that relies heavily on field fences to enclose its courts and contain tennis balls. Tennis court layouts can vary significantly, but the fencing used for these courts is generally consistent. The fences are typically ten feet tall and made from 11-gauge mesh, which can be galvanized or vinyl-coated, with green being the most common color for the vinyl coating. The chain-link mesh used on tennis courts is often 1 3/8 inches wide, as opposed to the standard two-inch diamond width. This prevents tennis balls from getting stuck in the fence. The fencing around tennis courts usually includes top and bottom rails, and a middle rail is also common due to the height of the fence. A bottom rail is generally preferred over tension wire, as it helps prevent tennis balls from rolling out of the court. To further enhance gameplay, screening is commonly added to these fences to reduce the effects of wind on the ball trajectory. The screening also helps prevent tennis balls from getting wedged in the fence. In some rare cases, tennis courts are completely enclosed with a chain-link roof, often for smaller courts located in confined areas. |
