Outdoor sports surfaces come in a variety of types and materials. Some are better for specific sports, while multiple teams can use others. To choose an outdoor sports surface that is right for your team, consider the following factors before making a final decision:
Cost
Before committing to a certain type of outdoor sports surface, you should take time to consider the total cost of your purchase. The initial purchase price is only part of what you will ultimately spend. For example, if you choose a synthetic grass surface, you may have to pay an additional fee for installing or renting the equipment needed to maintain it.
Cost considerations are important to weigh during your decision process because often, there are added costs to using synthetic grass surfaces. For example, many organizations that want to use artificial turf for their games must also pay the city an additional fee.
Safety
Before choosing your outdoor sports surface, it is important to consider safety. You need to know what injuries are most common on each surface you are considering and what injuries would be most likely with the surface you choose. Many different factors go into safety; for example, if you choose a synthetic grass surface that requires infill and more maintenance, there is a higher risk of injury from falls or cuts to athletes' hands.
Environment
Consider your environmental responsibility when choosing an outdoor sports surface. If you go with an artificial grass or turf surface, you can save water and other resources. Alternatively, if you choose a dirt surface, your team will have a more natural playing environment.
Reactivity
A reactive surface is an important consideration if you plan on using your outdoor sports surface for different types of teams. For example, if two or three different soccer leagues will be using the same facility, then it would be beneficial to have a sports surface that is not overly reactive. Some surfaces react differently because they are made of different types of materials.
Elasticity
Elasticity refers to how much force it takes to deform under pressure. If you are considering using your outdoor sports surface for activities like flag football or soccer, you should look for one that has a high degree of elasticity. High-elasticity surfaces allow players to move more quickly and easily, beneficial in competitive team sports.
Durability
It would be best to consider how durable your surface will need to be when choosing between different outdoor sports surfaces. In general, an all-grass patch will not hold up as well to wear and tear as artificial grass. However, if you do not plan on using your outdoor sports surface in harsh conditions like rain or snow, then a surface that is not very durable may be fine.
Before choosing an outdoor sports surface, it is important to know why you are choosing this type of surface and what activities individuals will be doing on the surface. This information will help you decide based on your team's needs.
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