A pitch or a sports ground is an outdoor playing area for various sports. The term pitch is most commonly used in British English, while the comparable term in Australian, American and Canadian English is playing field or sports field. For most sports the official term is field of play, although this is not regularly used by those outside refereeing/umpiring circles. The field of play generally includes out-of-bounds areas that a player is likely to enter while playing a match, such as the area beyond the touchlines in association football and rugby or the sidelines in American and Canadian football, or the "foul territory" in baseball.
The surface of a pitch is most commonly composed of sod (grass), but may also be artificial turf, sand, clay, gravel, concrete, or other materials. A playing field on ice may be referred to as a rink, for example an ice hockey rink, although rink may also refer to the entire building or, in the sport of curling, to either the building or a particular team.
In the sport of cricket, the cricket pitch refers not to the entire field of play, but to the section of the field on which batting and bowling take place in the centre of the field. The pitch is prepared differently from the rest of the field, to provide a harder surface for bowling.
A pitch is often a regulation space, as in an association football pitch.
The term level playing field is also used metaphorically to mean fairness in non-sporting human activities such as business where there are notional winners and losers. Fields of play in various sports
Field sizes
Sport Regulated by Shape Field length Total length Width Total width Depth/height SurfaceDiagramAquaticsArtisticWorld AquaticsCuboid30 meters20 meters3 metersDiving20 meters25 meters5 meters Swimming (Olympic) 50 meters - 25 meters -2-3 meters Swimming (short course) 25 meters - 20 meters -2-2.5 metersWaterpolo25 meters -20 meters -1.8 metersBasketball3x3FIBAOblong rectangle11 meters -15 meters -Basketball 28 meters - -NBA - -Basque pelotaJai alaiFIPVRectangular cuboid54 meters -10 meters -10 metersMur à gauche30 meters36 metersTrinquete28.5 meters9.3 meters8.5 metersBat and ball sports BaseballMLBNon standardized (distance from home plate apex to nearest center field fence) - http://web.mit.edu/~xsdg/Public/papers/himcm-2003.pdf "The width is the distance between foul poles... the Twins’ field width (473.9 ft) and the Braves’ field width (470.2 ft) is not significant. However, the difference between the Rockies’ and Yankees’ field widths (492.9 ft and 446.9 ft, respectively) is very significant." -grass and dirtWBSC (distance from home plate apex to center field fence) -Distance between foul poles (each one are or more from home plate apex) -SoftballCircular quadrant (radius) - (radius) - Baseball5 Square (fence)VitillaCircular sextant (radius) - -PesapalloFinnish Pesäpallo AssociationIrregular hexagon - - -RoundersGAASquare70 meters -70 meters -. CricketICC Oval - - - Indoor cricketWICF Rectangular cuboid 28-30 meters - 10.5-12 meters - 4-4.5 metersStoolballStoolball EnglandCircle (diameter) - (diameter) -LaptaRussian Lapta FederationOblong rectangle40-55 meters -25-40 meters -OinăRomanian Oină FederationOblong rectangle70 meters32 metersgrassSchlagballOblong rectangle + trapezium70 metersplus an area between divergent diagonals of 140 meters behing rear flags25 metersplus an area between divergent diagonals of 140 meters behing rear flagsBoulesBocciaBISFedOblong rectangle12.5 meters -6 meters - -polished concrete, wooden, natural or synthetic rubber.Bocce voloWPBFOblong rectangle27.5 meters -2.5-4 meters -Petanque15 meters -4 meters -Raffa6.5 meters -4-4.5 meters -natural ground or synthetic materialCombat sportsAmateur boxingWorld boxingRectangular cuboid6.1 meters6.1 meters1.3 meterscanvas, rubberBare-knuckle boxingBKFCCylinder (diameter) (diameter)Amateur wrestlingUWWCircle9 meters (diameter)9 meters (diameter)International grapplingAmateur MMAFencingFIEOblong rectangle14 meters17–18 meters1.5 meters - -KarateWKFSquare8 meters8 metersKickboxing (ring)WAKORectangular cuboid5.2 meters5.2 meters1.32 metersfelt, rubberKickboxing (tatami)Square7 meters7 metersfoamMixed Martial ArtsUFCOctagonal prism Bellator MMACylinder (diameter) (diameter)Muay ThaiIFMARectangular cuboid6-6.5 meters6-6.5 meters1.2-1.5 metersfelt, rubber or other suitable materialTaekwondoWTOctagon8 meters8 metersCue sportsCaromWCBSOblong rectangle2.79-2.89 meters3.065-3.115 meters1.37-1.47 meters1.6245-1.695 meters0.787-0.837 metersPoolRounded rectangle (9 feet) (8 feet) (9 feet) (8 feet) (9 feet) (8 feet) (9 feet) (8 feet)SnookerOblong rectangleCyclingArtisticUCIOblong rectangle12-14 meters -9-11 meters - -Cycle ballwood, parquet, chipboard, triplex, syntheticEquestrianDressageFEIOblong rectangle60 meters -20 meters -sandPoloFIPOblong rectangle - -grassArena polo - -snowFootball codes SoccerFIFA Oblong rectangle (international) - (international) -grass, artificialBeach soccer35–37 meters -26–28 meters -sand Futsal 25-42 meters 38-42 meters (international) - 16-25 meters 20-25 meters (international) -wood, artificial AmericanIFAF Oblong rectangle -grass, artificialFlag (standard) - -solid, sand Arena Rounded rectangle -artificial CanadianFootball Canada Oblong rectangle -grass, artificial Rugby unionWorld Rugby Oblong rectangle 94-100 meters 106-144 meters 68-70 meters -grass, sand, clay, snow, artificial Rugby leagueIRL 100 meters 112-122 meters 68 meters -grass Australian rules (professional)AFL Commission Oval 135-185 meters - 110-155 meters -grassInternational rulesAFL Commission and GAAOblong rectangle145 meters -90 meters -GaelicGAA130–145 meters -80–90 meters -GymnasticsArtistic (floor)World GymnasticsSquare11.97-12.03 meters11.97-12.03 metersArtistic (vault)Oblong rectangle32.2 meters2.5 metersRhythmicSquare12.97-13.03 meters12.97-13.03 metersHandball Indoor and wheelchairIHF Oblong rectangle 40 meters - 20 meters -Beach27 meters -12 meters -sandHockeyBall hockeyISBHFRounded cuboid56-61 meters -26-30 meters -Boards (1.02-1.22 meters height) + protective glass (1.6-4 meters height) + protective end zone netasphalt BandyFIB Oblong rectangle 100-110 meters - 60-65 meters -iceRink bandy45-60 meters -26-31 meters -Boards: 15-122 centimeters height FieldFIH Oblong rectangle - - Indoor 36-44 meters - 18-22 meters -Beach30-35 meters -20-25 meters -sandFloorballIFFRounded cuboid36-40 meters -18-20 meters - IceIIHF Rounded cuboid 61 meters - 30 meters -Boards (1.07-2.4 meters height) + protective glass (1.8-4 meters height) + protective neticeNHL - -InlineWorld SkateRounded cuboid - -Boards: heightsport tile, wood, asphalt or cementQuad34-44 meters -17-22 meters -Boards: 1 meter heightwood, cementUnicycleIUFRounded rectangle35-45 meters -20-25 meters -UnderwaterCMASRectangular cuboid21-25 meters -12-15 meters -2-3.65 metersIce skatingIce danceISUOblong rectangle56-60 meters -26-30 meters -ice Speed skating (Long track)Stadium 178 meters - 66 meters - - Speed skating (Short track) 60 meters - 30 meters - -KorfballKorfballIKFOblong rectangle40 meters -20 meters -Beach20 meters -10 meters -sandOutdoor40-60 meters20-30 metersLacrosse FieldWorld Lacrosse Oblong rectangle 110 meters - 60 meters -Women100 meters -50-60 meters - Box 55-61 meters - 24-28 meters -artificial turf, concreteSixes70 meters -36 meters -IntercrosseOblong rectangle40 meters -20 meters -woodNetballNetballWorld NetballOblong rectangle - -woodFAST5Racquet sports BadmintonBWF Oblong rectangle 17.4 meters (doubles) 8.18 meters 9.1 meters (doubles)PadelFIPRectangular cuboid19.9-20.1 meters -9.95-10.05 meters -4 metersSquash (singles)World SquashCuboid9.75 meters -6.40 meters -4.57 metersSquash (doubles)9.75 meters -8.42 meters -4.57 metersTable tennisITTFOblong rectangle2.74 meters 14 meters (playing space)1.525 meters7 meters (playing space)76 centimeters 91.25 centimeters (including net) TennisITF Oblong rectangle 37 meters (doubles) 18 metersclay, grass, hardBeach tennis16 meters 4.5 meters 8 meters (doubles)sandRoller racingInline speed skatingWorld SkateStadium 50 meters (100 m lap) 60 meters (125-200 m lap) 25 meters (100 m lap) 30 meters (125-200 m lap)Roller derbyTag gamesKabaddi (standard)IKFOblong rectangle13 meters -10 meters - -Kabaddi (circle-style)Circle44 meters -44 meters - - Kho khoIKKF Oblong rectangle 27 meters 30 meters 16 meters 19 meters - Kho kho (Ultimate) 22 meters 26 meters 16 meters 20 meters -TchoukballTchoukballFITBOblong rectangle26-29 meters -15-17 meters -Beach21-23 meters -11-13 m -sandTrack and field IndoorWorld Athletics Stadium 90.03 meters - 45.78 meters - - Outdoor 176.91 meters - 92.52 meters - -Ultimate UltimateWFDF Oblong rectangle 64 meters 100 meters 37 meters - -Beach - -sandVolleyball VolleyballFIVB Oblong rectangle 18 meters 24-31 m 9 meters 15-19 meterswooden, syntheticBeach and Beach 4x416 meters20-28m8 meters18-20 meterssandSnow16 meters22 meters8 meters14 meterssnowSittingWPVOblong rectangle10 meters16 meters6 meters12 meterswooden, syntheticOtherBowlingIBFOblong rectanglewood or synthetic materialCanoe poloICFOblong rectangle35 meters23 meterswaterDodgeballWDAOblong rectangle17 meters -8 meters - -FistballIFAOblong rectangle50 meters62 meters20 meters32 metersGaelic gamesGAAOblong rectangle145 meters -90 meters -grassGoalballIBSAOblong rectangle18 meters -9 meters -wood, plastic or syntheticInternational gameCIJBOblong rectangle70 meters -20 meters - -Concrete or asphaltOne-wall handball10.6 meters -6.1 meters -4.9 metersSepak takrawISTAFOblong rectangle 19.4 meters 12.1 metersShintyCamanachd AssociationOblong rectangle - -WeightliftingIWFSquare4 meters4 metershardwoodWheelchair rugbyWWROblong rectangle28 meters -15 meters -
Game court
Game court is one of the names for a multi-sport athletic space, typically constructed outdoors, where such games as basketball, volleyball, paddle tennis and other racquet sports, and up to a dozen more games and activities can be played. They are usually smaller than a regulation tennis (120' x 60') or basketball (84'x50') court, although there is no set dimensions or size for a game court. The game-court concept was popularized by Sport Court in the 1970s, and some generic references are made to game courts as 'sport courts', although that is a trademark of Connor Sport Court International, LLC. Game courts are often found in residential backyards, giving families and children opportunities for healthy recreation close to home.
Game courts are usually constructed using a rectangular sub-base made from concrete or asphalt, then covered with an open-grid modular polypropylene (or similar) sports surface to improve safety. Most feature athletic equipment such as basketball goals, net systems for racquet sports, volleyball and badminton, lights for nighttime play, fencing or ball containment netting, hockey/soccer goals, lines or markings for various sports, and practice or training components can also be incorporated into the design. Surface The surface of a game court—as opposed to simply playing on concrete or asphalt—is designed for safe play and to reduce injury. Many people have started to use suspended athletic courts to cover old athletic courts like tennis courts and basketball courts. The surface should provide appropriate traction for various types of sports and activities, as well as shock or force reduction to minimize overuse and stress injuries.