ASTM F2270-04
(Guide)Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warning Track Areas on Sports Fields
Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warning Track Areas on Sports Fields
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the construction and maintenance of warning track areas on sports fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection of materials, such as soil and sand for use in constructing or reconditioning warning track areas and for selection of management practices that will maintain a safe and functioning warning track. Although this guide has applications to all sports where a warning track surface may be required or desired, it has specific applications to baseball/softball.
1.2 This guide does not address synthetic warning tracks such as rubberized surfaces, artificial turf, or paved surfaces.
1.3 Decisions in selecting construction and maintenance techniques are influenced by local soil types, climatic factors, level of play, budget, and training/ability of management personnel.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
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An American National Standard
Designation:F2270–04
Standard Guide for
Construction and Maintenance of Warning Track Areas on
Sports Fields
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2270; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F405 Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Pipe
and Fittings
1.1 This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the
F1815 Test Methods for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity,
construction and maintenance of warning track areas on sports
Water Retention, Porosity, and Bulk Density of Putting
fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection of
Green and Sports Turf Root Zones
materials, such as soil and sand for use in constructing or
F2107 Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Skinned
reconditioning warning track areas and for selection of man-
Areas on Baseball and Softball Fields
agement practices that will maintain a safe and functioning
warning track. Although this guide has applications to all
3. Terminology
sports where a warning track surface may be required or
3.1 Definitions—Exceptasnoted,soilrelateddefinitionsare
desired, it has specific applications to baseball/softball.
in accordance with Terminology D653.
1.2 This guide does not address synthetic warning tracks
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
such as rubberized surfaces, artificial turf, or paved surfaces.
3.2.1 aggregate material—a soil-like or earthy material
1.3 Decisions in selecting construction and maintenance
without appreciable soil structural properties such that an
techniques are influenced by local soil types, climatic factors,
aggregate material is essentially granular or single-grained in
level of play, budget, and training/ability of management
nature.
personnel.
3.2.2 clay—(1) A soil separate consisting of particles
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
<0.002 mm in equivalent diameter. See also soil separates.(2)
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
A textural class. See also soil texture.(3) In reference to clay
1.5 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
mineralogy, a naturally occurring material composed primarily
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
of fine-grained minerals, which is generally plastic at appro-
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
priate water contents and will harden when dried or fired.
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
Although clay usually contains phyllosilicates, it may contain
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
other materials that impart plasticity and harden when dried or
mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
fired. Associated phases in clay may include materials that do
2. Referenced Documents not impart plasticity and organic matter. (1,3,4,5,6)
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Ideally, clay should be appropriately
2.1 ASTM Standards:
defined when used to describe soils or top mixes for warning
D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
track areas. A60 % sand/40 % clay mixture could imply either
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
60 % sand/40 % clayey soil or other textures that contain
Fluids
enough clay (<0.002 mm) to exhibit plasticity or 60 % sand
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
(2.0 to 0.05 mm)/40 % clay (<0.002 mm).
Plasticity Index of Soils
3.2.3 clay mineral—a phyllosilicate mineral or a mineral
E11 SpecificationforWovenWireTestSieveClothandTest
that imparts plasticity to clay and which hardens upon drying
Sieves
or firing. (1,2,6)
3.2.4 clayey—(1) Texture group consisting of sandy clay,
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
silty clay, and clay soil textures. See also soil texture.(2)
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.64 on
Family particle-size class for soils with 35 % or more clay and
Natural Playing Surfaces.
<35 % rock fragments in upper subsoil horizons. (1,3,4,5)
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2004. Published January 2004. DOI: 10.1520/
F2270-04.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2270–04
3.2.5 fine texture—(1) A broad group of textures consisting 3.2.15.1 Discussion—Particle size ranges for sand, silt, and
of or containing large quantities of the fine fractions, particu- clay as listed above vary somewhat from ranges given in Test
Method D422 and Terminology D653.
larly of silt and clay. (Includes all sandy clay, silty clay, and
3.2.16 soil texture—the relative proportions of the various
clay textural classes). (2) When used in reference to family
soil separates in a soil as described by the classes of soil
particle-size classes in U.S. soil taxonomy, is specifically
texture. The sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam are further
defined as having 35 to 60 % clay. See also soil texture.
subdivided on the basis of the proportions of the various sand
(1,3,4,5)
separates present. The limits of the various classes and sub-
3.2.6 gravel—commonlyusedtodenotespherical,cubelike,
classes are as follows:
or equiaxial aggregate materials with an equivalent diameter
3.2.16.1 clay—soil material that contains 40 % or more
>2.0 mm and <7.6 mm. More correctly used, this classification
clay, <45 % sand, and <40 % silt.
refersto“rockfragments”classedaspebblesinthe Glossary of
3.2.16.2 clay loam—soil material that contains 27 to 40 %
Soil Science Terms. (1)
clay and 20 to 45 % sand.
3.2.7 heavy soil—(colloquial) a soil with a high content of
3.2.16.3 loam—soil material that contains 7 to 27 % clay,
the fine separates, particularly clay, or one with a high drawbar
28 to 50 % silt, and <52 % sand.
pull and hence difficult to cultivate, especially when wet. See
3.2.16.4 loamy sand—soil material that contains between
also fine texture.
70 and 91 % sand and the percentage of silt plus 1.5 times the
3.2.8 loamy—(1) Texture group consisting of coarse sandy percentageofclayis15ormore;andthepercentageofsiltplus
loam, sandy loam, fine sandy loam, very fine sandy loam,
twice the percentage of clay is less than 30.
loam, silt loam, silt, clay loam, sandy clay loam, and silty clay 3.2.16.5 sand—soil material that contains 85 % or more of
loam soil textures. See also soil texture.(2) Family particle- sand; percentage of silt plus 1.5 times the percentage of clay
shall not exceed 15.
sizeclassforsoilswithtexturesfinerthanveryfinesandyloam
but <35 % clay and <35 % rock fragments in upper subsoil 3.2.16.6 sandy clay—soil material that contains 35 % or
more clay and 45 % or more sand.
horizons. (1,3,4,5)
3.2.16.7 sandy clay loam—soil material that contains 20 to
3.2.9 moderately-fine textured—texture group consisting of
35 % clay, <28 % silt, and >45 % sand.
clay loam, sandy clay loam, and silty clay loam textures. See
3.2.16.8 sandy loam—soil material that contains 7 to 20 %
also soil texture.
clay,morethan52 %sand,andthepercentageofsiltplustwice
3.2.10 plasticity—the characteristics of a soil material to
the percentage of clay is 30 or more; or less than 7 % clay, less
deform without rupture or cracking and without appreciable
than 50 % silt, and more than 43 % sand.
volume change. Plasticity is normally imparted to soils by the
3.2.16.9 silt—soil material that contains 80 % or more silt
proportion of phyllosilicate clay minerals.
and <12 % clay.
3.2.11 skinned area—area on sports fields that, by design, is
3.2.16.10 silty clay—soil material that contains 40 % or
devoid of turfgrasses or other vegetation; may be entire field or
more clay and 40 % or more silt.
a portion of the field (for example, skinned infield in baseball
3.2.16.11 silty clay loam—soil material that contains 27 to
or softball; skinned base paths in otherwise turfed infield).
40 % clay and <20 % sand.
F2107
3.2.16.12 silt loam—soil material that contains 50 % or
3.2.12 silt—(1) A soil separate. See also soil separates.(2) more silt and 12 to 27 % clay (or) 50 to 80 % silt and <12 %
A soil textural class. See also soil texture. (1,3,4,5) clay. (1,4,5)
3.2.17 warning track—a section of a sports field area
3.2.13 soil—sediments or other unconsolidated accumula-
typically devoid of vegetation, that provides a change in
tions of solid particles produced by the physical and chemical
surface texture such that an athlete can sense without looking
disintegration of rocks, and which may or may not contain
the proximity to a hazard such as a fence, post, or wall.
organic matter.
3.2.14 soil profile—vertical section of a soil, showing the
4. Significance and Use
nature and sequence of the various layers, as developed by
4.1 Warning tracks are playing surfaces located on the
deposition or weathering or both or as developed by construc-
margins of the playing area for the purpose of providing a
tion procedures. (1,4,5)
warning to the player that he or she is approaching a hazard
3.2.15 soil separates—mineral particles, <2.0 mm in
(commonly a fence) or out-of-bounds area. In order to provide
equivalent diameter, ranging between specified size limits.The
for an effective warning track surface, the warning track must
names and size limits of separates recognized in the U.S. are:
be constructed and maintained in such a manner so that the
very coarse sand (prior to 1947 this separate was called “fine
player can sense the change in texture from the regular playing
gravel;” now fine gravel includes particles between 2.0 mm
surface and the warning track without having to look. This
and about 12.5 mm in diameter), 2.0 to 1.0 mm; coarse sand,
feature is very important in that the player is often visually
1.0 to 0.5 mm; medium sand, 0.5 to 0.25 mm; fine sand, 0.25
focused on the ball during play and would not be looking at the
to 0.10 mm; very fine sand, 0.10 to 0.05 mm; silt, 0.05 to 0.002
ground as he is running toward the warning track.The warning
mm; and clay (Prior to 1937, “clay” included particles <0.005 track must also be constructed and maintained in such a
mm in diameter, and “silt,” those particles from 0.05 to 0.005
manner that the warning track itself or the surface transition
mm) <0.002 mm. (1,4,5) does not pose a hazard to the players.
F2270–04
4.2 The warning track areas of sports fields should provide internal friction they provide within the soil profile. Small
a uniform surface with good footing. The change in surface additions of clay or clayey material may be appropriate to
texture of the warning track from the surrounding playing provide some characteristics of cohesiveness and color. It is
surface must be of enough contrast such that the player can often desired for the color of the warning track to match as
sense the change without looking. Most often, warning track
closelyaspossiblethecoloroftheskinnedareasofthefield.In
surfacesaredevoidofturforothervegetation.However,turfed these instances, the clay material used in the skinned infield
warning track areas may be used in instances where such
constructions may be included in smaller proportions in the
purpose is to “warn” the player of an impending hazard where material mixed for the warning track areas.
the primary playing surface is a skinned area. This may be the
5.2 Dimensions—Typically, warning track dimensions are
case in softball where the entire infield playing surface is a
not included in rule books and the recommended widths are
skinned area and a turfed warning track is used along the first
typicallybaseduponsuchfactorsastheage,size,andabilityof
base and third base fencelines. Undulations, rough surface,
the players. For warning track areas adjacent to the backstop
hard or soft surface, weeds, stones, debris, wets spots, etc.
fence and extensions, the distance used for a warning track is
detract from a good, safe warning track. The safety and 1
typically ⁄3 of the distance from home plate to the back stop.
effectiveness of the warning track is largely affected by
For example, where the rule book specifies a home plate to
construction and maintenance procedures and this guide ad-
back stop distance of 7.6 m (25 ft), the appropriate dimension
dresses those procedures.
for the warning track in this instance would be 2.5 m (8.2 ft).
4.2.1 During construction, consideration should be given to
The warning track dimension therefore would tell the catcher
factors such as the physical and chemical properties of mate-
and infielders that they have covered two thirds of the distance
rials used in the area, freedom from stones, sticks, and other
to the backstop/fence. Other criteria for warning track dimen-
debris, and surface drainage and internal drainage. Consider-
sions include the rule of thumb for a distance equivalent to
ation should also be given to the surface elevation such that a
three full strides of a running player. The concept here is that
drastic change is not produced by the transition from the
the player has a distance equivalent to three strides in order to
playing surface to the warning track area which may create a
adjusthisposition/speedtoprotecthimselffromtheimpending
tripping or falling hazard.
obstruction.Adistance of three full strides of a running player
4.2.2 Maintenance practices that influence the playability of
can vary from about 2.5 m (8 ft) for youth players up to 5.5 m
the surface include edging, dragging, rolling, watering, vegeta-
(18 ft) for collegiate or professional-level athletes. It should be
tion control, and removal of stones and debris that may
notedthatwarningtrackdimensionsthataretoogreatmaylose
adversely affect play and safety.
theireffectivenessinthatadimensionthatistoovast(toomuch
4.3 Those responsible for the design, construction, or main-
playing area contained within the warning track area) will fail
tenance, or a combination thereof, of baseball and softball
to provide effective “warning” of the impending obstruction.
fields or play areas where the need for a warning track area has
5.2.1 A warning track construction should be designed to
been identified will benefit from this guide.
allow for surface drainage. A surface slope between 1 and
1.75 % should be incorp
...
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