sport pitches: If you’re British, chances are you don’t say “sport field” – you say “sports pitch.” It’s a unique colloquial term; the comparable words to sport pitches in American English would be sport field. Technically the official term for pitch in most varieties of sport is known as field of play. But that term for sport pitches is not frequently used, except for umpires and refereeing groups. Also, pitches can also combine various terms related to the vernacular of sport – as an example, a cricket pitch can contain a cricket field. By definition sport pitches are confined to a space, as in an Association football (soccer) pitch. Sport pitches are usually found outdoors but can also be located in larger structures, often where the playing fields are enclosed and protected from bad weather. Typically sport pitches are large areas of natural grass or synthetic turf and obstruction-free. Since the 1970s, many sport pitches have been converted to artificial turf surfacing. The turf often found on sport pitches include Astroturf, which emerged as a controversial surface because of fake performance, looks and player safety. In more recent decades, sport pitches have included artificial installations with brand names like FieldTurf. It’s true that “sport pitches” may not be an everyday phrase among sports fans in America; however, many enthusiasts of athletics across the world employ the term every day … and suffer no adverse effects.

Be Sociable, Share!

•