The Sports Turf Managers Association (SFMA) developed the Playing Conditions Index (PCI) to help members assess the playability of their fields and gain more respect for their management efforts. The tool has been updated to further address the complexities involved in conditioning sports fields for safety, playability, and fan enjoyment. The aim of the PCI is to collect data and provide a recordkeeping tool that tracks field performance over time. It can be used to provide data to senior leadership to guide decision-making and gain credibility with employers.
The PCI is available in a digital format for both natural
grass fields and synthetic turf fields. It is a protected Excel spreadsheet and
users can only enter information in the cells that allow entry. The spreadsheet
can be saved under different file names by the field manager to maintain
records for each field. Not only does the spreadsheet automatically generate a
PCI for the field being tested, but it also provides immediate feedback to
sports turf managers about areas of the field that need attention if unsafe
conditions are present. The digital format allows the spreadsheet to be used as
many times as needed to maintain records for all fields.
If you use the PCI, SFMA asks that you return your results.
SFMA is collecting the information to develop a database that will help bring
us closer to making informed decisions about when fields become unsafe by
identifying trends with field usage. Once you collect field data using the
spreadsheet, please send the results to kalthouse@stma.org. Please send your
results any time you enter data to help us further the mission of keeping
fields safe and playable for our athletes.
Access the updated PCI spreadsheets here.
